Saeed presents awards to eight high-achieving Emirati women

Dubai: Shaikh Saeed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented awards to eight winners of the Emirates Business Women's Award 2008, organised by the Dubai Quality Group and Shell.

Shaikh Saeed also gave special recognition to Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for her selfless dedication and contribution to the development of women.

The winner for the overall award in the professional category was Maryam Sharaf, group chief financial officer of Dubai World.

"Our nation has certainly come a long way in the past few decades and this is primarily due to the visionary leadership of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad, who has encouraged and urged women to actively partake in contributing to the national economy," Sharaf said.

"Our country offers incredible opportunities to everyone, irrespective of their gender, and it is up to us to explore our potential and push ourselves hard to achieve our dreams."

Sharaf was appointed group chief financial officer of Dubai World in July 2006 after previously serving as the group's financial controller. She has been with the company for five years and has more than 20 years of experience in the finance industry.

Runner-up in the professional category was Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi, general manager and chief executive of Geo sciences testing laboratory.

"The main reason for my success is my leadership and vision," said Al Mahdi.

She has training in many fields and is certified to teach. She volunteers for the education of the unfortunate Filipinos in the embassy. "I love to influence people and be a role model," she said.

She started as a chemist and is now the general manager of the company, which has branches in four emirates. "With determination and strength, I've achieved a lot and am successful."

However, her vision does not cease here. She plans to study further for a doctorate and professionally she aims to give the company a regional presence.

Speaking on strengths of men and women, she said: "Women can be better at making decisions because they balance the use of their emotions and intellect, while men only use their intellect."

Halah Janani, an associate at Union Bancaire Privee, a swiss bank, was awarded for future goals and financial performance.

Janani said what has propelled her professionally was her knowledge of the UAE market and her enthusiasm for challenges. She said this was her reason for entering a market that is predominantly dominated by men.

Passion

She told businesswomen to follow their passion. A natural drive for a certain type of work, along with focus and dedication, would yield satisfying results, she said.

In terms of future goals, Janani believes in consistency and the effort to move forward. "The initial step is to that what it is that really drives you. From there things just tend to work themselves out. When you know what drives you, anyone can be good at planning for the future."

The winner believes her skill of being a people's person is the most valuable, which allows her to accomplish many things. "For business it is most it important to establish relationships with various types of people and assess their needs."

Shaikha Azza Rashid Al Nuaimi, director of Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charity Foundation, was given the award for leadership.

In the business, professional and career achievements field there were two winners - Maryam Al Jallaf, manager of process control potrooms and cell lining in Dubal, and Nawal Al Hosaney, deputy director of human resource planning department at Abu Dhabi Police General Head Quarters.

Munira Safar, deputy manager of studies and activities section at the Ministry of Education was the winner of community contribution award, while Mona Al Kandi from Deyafa Gallery was acknowledged with an award for innovation.