Abu Dhabi: At the tender age of seven, the architect of the UAE's higher education system was eager to accompany the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on one of his much-talked about and fascinating hunting trips. Infatuated with the idea, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, now Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, asked Shaikh Zayed — but Shaikh Zayed told him to memorise the Quran first. "I did, then asked again, Shaikh Zayed said: ‘Only when you are able to write me a letter'. That was my initiation into the Zayed school of education. The underlying basis of his philosophy in teaching always being: motivation through one's loves and interests."
‘Great nation-builder'
Shaikh Nahyan says: "To me, Shaikh Zayed was a father, a teacher, and a mentor. He was a great nation-builder and a great world leader. Shaikh Zayed was, without question, an embodiment of the hopes and dreams of all people in the UAE, for he was not only a role model for our citizens but also a beacon of light that illuminated our future. He was truly a quintessential leader.
Shaikh Nahyan went on to say that Shaikh Zayed strongly advocated education. He supported the development of a modern education system that was free to all citizens, from primary school through to university. Shaikh Zayed knew that education was not an expense — it was an investment in our future.
Shaikh Zayed also understood the value of using each individual's talent for a useful purpose. He believed absolutely in the importance of equal educational opportunities for both men and women and in the right of all citizens to develop their talents to the fullest.
"The UAE, under Shaikh Zayed's leadership, became a model of development, peace and tolerance in a world that very much seeks these values. I am fortunate and will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to observe first-hand how Shaikh Zayed achieved his many successes."
Shaikh Nayhan added that anniversary days in the UAE focused attention on the future.
"We have become an influential, prosperous nation in an incredibly short time because we are always looking to the future. We inspire other nations in the region and the world to look to their futures with a new sense of the possible.
"The past 40 years of the UAE present a record that makes me and other Emiratis proud. Few, if any, countries in the history of the world have developed further and faster econ-omically than the UAE. Few, if any, developing countries have made better use of their resources in serving the interests of the nation's citizens. For the pride occasioned by those realisations, we are deeply indebted to our founding President, the late Shaikh Zayed.
"I was privileged to observe that wise, enlightened, and courageous leader directly. I knew him as a deeply compassionate and caring leader. All of us in the United Arab Emirates and the region have a keen appreciation of the quality and scope of his vision and his hard work. The debt of gratitude owed by our people to this great man cannot be overstated."
Shaikh Nahyan said that his sense of the past 40 years was the exhilarating feeling of being brilliantly led into the future by the late Shaikh Zayed.
"Likewise, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Their Highnesses, the Rulers of the Emirates, as well as General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, are all people of wisdom and vision. They have been able to see beyond the horizon and chart a path for our country's future. What distinguishes their style of leadership, I believe, is a strong conviction that our people collectively must be involved in both the planning and implementation of national goals and activities. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the leaders of our country for creating this environment of opportunity for all of our people.
High standards
"We have moved successfully from anniversary to anniversary because we have set high standards and inspired each other to meet those standards."
On how he foresees the future of the federation under the leadership of Shaikh Khalifa, Shaikh Nahyan said he sees a brighter future. "The wise and capable leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will ensure that our nation's phenomenal progress will continue. All of us in the UAE have a deep appreciation of the quality and scope of his vision and his leadership."
