Sheikha Fatima scholarship for 38 girls
dubai — Thirty-eight inspirational female students from across the UAE received a year’s scholarship at their respective school as part of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Awards for Excellence on Monday.
Each nominated and awarded for their unfaltering belief that ‘educating girls will change the world’, these students have become the benchmark for their peers around the country.
From Ceyda Kara (Gems World Academy), who goes around the school unplugging electronics in a bid to save electricity, to Roshin Mary Varghese (Our Own English Highschool) who spearheads her school’s student-centric magazine using recycled paper only, the dedication from these girls to promote social responsibility is something that we only dream of seeing from the adults of today.
Running consecutively for the 11th year, the excellence awards was created by Gems Education in honour of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, Chairperson of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for her contributions to the empowerment of women in the UAE.
Presenting the awards to the “outstanding young women” was Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, who said, it was “fitting” that they were receiving the awards in honour of “Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.”
“She has always known that the world is blessed with young women
She (Sheikha Fatima) has always known that the world is blessed with young women like you. She has been the champion of women” Sheikh Nahyan, Minister of Culture & Knowledge Development
like you, 38 students who are being recognised today. She has been the champion of women.”
Impressed by the efforts of the parents and teachers in helping these students be the “people they are today”, he said in today’s world, quality education is more important than ever.
“Because you have demonstrated so well the essential value of education, perhaps you yourself will choose to become a teacher—I hope, a great teacher.”
Nominated by their schools for their outstanding academic success, commitment to social responsibility and Global Citizenship, the winners were each presented with a scholarship covering a year’s tuition fee at their respective school.