Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cambridge Awards presented to 27 students and three teachers.
Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and the Media Free Zone, awarded 27 students and 3 teachers for their outstanding performance in the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
The Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cambridge Awards, in its sixth year, took place at the Mina A'Salam Hotel, Dubai, last week.
The achievements indicate the start of a bright future, said Christine Daw, regional director for the University of Cambridge International Examinations. "They should be proud to have gained qualifications that will help provide a solid foundation for them in the coming years."
Officials from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and the CIE, parents, teachers and students attended the ceremony.
Fruits of hard work
"I am surprised, excited and proud," said Sharag Biswas, who received the award for ranking first in physics among students worldwide in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). "I plan to major in bioengineering and have already applied to top universities in Canada and the US," he said.
Four other students from schools in the UAE were recognised for ranking first in biology, English as a second language, first language Arabic and mathematics.
Students also won awards for their achievements in the AS-levels (Advanced Subsidiary), A-levels (short for Advanced Level) and IGCSE in June 2007.
They agreed that keeping up the high level of achievement was difficult, but that being awarded in the end made it all worthwhile.
"It was not easy for me," said Al Haytham Yousuf Jameel of Al Ansar International School, Sharjah, who was honoured for his achievement at the AS-level. "I studied very hard and never thought I would reach this level. Winning an award is an amazing feeling," he said.
Irina Gulerez, IGCSE student from Cambridge International School, said: "I'm honoured to receive the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum award. I worked hard for it and took three extra subjects that were not required of me."
Special achievement
One student was honoured for achieving academically while overcoming significant personal challenges. "This year, CIE is honouring a student who has been undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and laser treatment whilst battling Hodgkin's disease," Daw said.
"There have been long periods when this student has missed school whilst undergoing treatment in Lebanon and Thailand, but he always attended to his studies in the hope that one day he could pursue a career as an aeronautics engineer," she added.
How he did it is the big question
"I had to face Hodgkin's disease (a type of cancer that attacks the lymph nodes, spleen and liver); going through it all was very difficult. I'm almost at the last stage of the cure, and I feel like a normal person again. I'm so happy, and I can't believe I won an award," Khurram Javaid of the Westminster School said.
Attending to civic duty
Besides academic excellence, the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cambridge Awards also recognised community service. Awards were presented to two students who are active in their schools and communities.
Aisha Zahid Durrnai of Al Ain Juniors School was awarded for helping her colleagues in certain subjects and being active in the tsunami campaign and the Hope Centre, which supports children with special needs.
Ayah Amir was honoured for showing great skill in organising the International Community School talent show and for her role in the food drives following international disasters.
Inspirational teachers
Students were not the only ones awarded – teachers also received their share.
Neethe Setty of the Westminster School, Lucy Abraham of Al Nahda School for Girls and Bassam Al Hafiz of Al Nahda National School for boys were given the Cambridge Inspirational Teacher Awards.
What is the CIE?
University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is one of largest providers of international qualifications for 14–19 year olds. It is part of the University of Cambridge and a non-profit organisation.
It offers internationally recognised qualifications, both academic and vocational. They include general qualifications including Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A-level, Cambridge O-level and Cambridge Pre-U, a new post-16 qualification, plus a range of vocational Cambridge International Diplomas.
— Source: www.cie.org.uk
By Maysam Ali