Sheikh Hamdan awards a winner of the Sheikh Hamdan Award for Educational Excellence. Picture: WAM
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry, last night honoured Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the UAE University and Higher Colleges of Technology, as the Education Personality of the Year.

Sheikh Nahyan, lauded for his achievements in the field of higher education, was honoured alongside 118 winners of the sixth round of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Educational Excellence last night.

The event was attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Ghandi, the Federal National Council Speaker, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif, Qatar Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Dr Khalifa Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Dubai Rulers Office, and a number of sheikhs, dignitaries, ministers and relatives of the awardees.

In his speech, Sheikh Hamdan stressed that the award offers a motive for unleashing creativity and excellence in the education of youngsters, enhancing community standards and contributing to its development.


Sheikh Hamdan yesterday honoured Sheikh Nahyan. Picture: WAM
"It is necessary to invest in the distinguished energies of our sons and daughters, nationals of the UAE and GCC states" to achieve objectives of the award, Sheikh Hamdan told the crowd gathered at the Conference Hall of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This, he stressed, requires the award's board of trustees to recognise talent and distinguished achievements and organise educational gatherings at the different educational levels in the UAE, GCC states, and Arab countries.

Sheikh Hamdan stressed the creation of the award stemmed from a national and humanitarian obligation aims to encourage young achievers and to nurture their intellectual capabilities.

Zuhdi Al Khateeb, currently the Cultural Attaché in Amman, Jordan, was also honoured with an Educational Pioneer Award.

Sheikh Nahyan thanked Skeikh Hamdan for the recognition, adding that the achievements made by the country in the field of education stems from the support of the Rulers of the country.

Recently, Sheikh Nahyan received the Leader in Entrepreneurial Education 2004 Award from the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.