Abu Dhabi: Education is the backbone of sustainable development in the UAE, and the sixth cycle of the renowned Khalifa Award for Education on Monday honoured those who have contributed significantly to the field.
Among the winners for 2012-2013 were 28 educators, including schoolteachers, university professors, special needs teachers, researchers and education officials. Five institutions were also honoured for their work in promoting learning within various communities.
A category to honour an educational personality was also added to this year’s list.
“The new added category aims to advance the standards of national and regional education by honouring distinguished efforts and the creativity of educators,” said Amal Al Afifi, secretary-general of the award.
General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was the 2012-2013 winner for this category, in recognition of his efforts and forward-looking vision for advancing education.
“The selection of General Shaikh Mohammad as the first winner of this category is the least we could do to bring to light his efforts and continuous support towards education and knowledge,” Amal said.
The awards were given in 10 other categories including public education, higher education in the UAE and across the Arab World, special needs, creating knowledge networks, new media and education, education and sustainable environment, education and community service, education research, projects and innovative educational programmes and educational authoring for children.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the award’s Board of Trustees, said the prizes were created to raise educational standards across Arab countries.
“The award also strives to encourage all institutions to elevate the general perception of teaching,” Shaikh Mansour said.
According to the awarding committee, the Khalifa Award seeks enhance innovative education practices at the local, regional and Arab World levels. Another of its priorities is to stimulate Emiratis to pursue teaching as a profession. The Award also aims to promote good childhoods behaviours, and honour those who effectively make use of advanced educational technologies in the region.
Each winner received a Certificate of Excellence, a glittering trophy, and a cash reward of Dh200,000.
The glittering ceremony was also attended by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, and Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development.
This year’s award received around 500 nominees in different categories.
“The award was created, with a total budget of about Dh3 million to initiate a sense of positive competition between educators and institutions in the sector,” Amal added.
