43 girl students win top UAE award

As many as 43 exceptional female students were given the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Excellence and received a year's scholarship.

The awards were launched by Gems Education in 2005 and recognises female students in the UAE who have been nominated by their schools for their outstanding academic success, commitment to social responsibility and global citizenship work. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, presented the awards to the students at a ceremony held on Monday at the Gems Dubai American Academy.

Laura Brynne Davies, a grade 12 student at the Bradenton Prep Academy, was one of the students who received the award. She believes her good grades and participation in various school activities earned her this honour.

"Everything the Mother of the Nation (Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak) has done for this country is incredible. She empowered women like no one has around the Middle East," the Canadian student said.

"I really think this award tells girls not to just work harder in school, but to also be the perfect well-rounded student. You have to be good at sports and music to win this award, be active in the student government, as well as maintain good grades. It's about being the full package instead of just one component. Being that well-rounded student in this upcoming world is extremely important."

Grade 9 student at the Gems Heritage Indian School, Richa Kewalramani also believes she won the award because of her involvement in various school activities, while maintaining her good grades. "It is an honour to win this award. I'm so thankful to my principal, teachers and my parents. This award definitely shows that women are capable of achieving great things and should be given importance," she said.

Meanwhile, an Egyptian grade 10 student at the Gems Wellington Academy, Nour Emara, feels she won the award because of her charitable work in her home country and her participation in sports. Emara often travels back to Egypt and helps repair roads and repaints them, for the welfare of the citizens. "It's a great accomplishment, especially when you think you can never win such a prestigious award. I'm very proud of winning this award. I believe that all women should be given the opportunities to reach their potential," Emara said.

'Winners fulfilling Sheikha Fatima's dreams'

The female students who won the award in honour of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak are "fulfilling her dreams", Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, has said.

Speaking at the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Awards for Excellence ceremony, Al Nahyan said that it is important to honour extraordinary women, such as ?the 43 students who were given this award.

"We are all grateful to you who are soon to receive awards named in honour of the Mother of the Nation, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.  You are fulfilling her dreams and ours," he said.

"Sheikha Fatima has always known that the world is blessed with young women like those of you being recognised today. She has always contended that women deserve the right to develop their full potential. She has acted on the conviction that communities will best succeed when the women of those communities are employing their knowledge, skills, insights, and energy in every human endeavour including raising of children.

"Without extraordinary women such as those honoured today in those roles, the world is squandering half of its human resources. Ours is a world desperate for enlightened and sensible leadership. We double our chances for experiencing that kind of leadership when women as much as men lead in every enterprise both public and private."

Sir Christopher Stone, chief education officer, Gems Education, said: "I would like to congratulate our winners today, not just for their outstanding academic performance but for demonstrating skills and attributes associated with global citizenship and leadership. Each one of you is an inspiration to this generation and I wish you all continued success in your career." 

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