592 female graduates of Zayed University honoured

Five hundred and ninety-two female students were honoured yesterday for their graduation from Zayed University at a ceremony held in the National Theatre here.

Eighty-seven students who displayed excellence throughout their studies received the special prize of a Dh20,000 gold coin featuring a portrait of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The second graduation ceremony of Zayed University (ZU) was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Wife of the President and Chairwoman of the UAE's General Women's Union.

For the first time in the history of UAE, the students will receive e-graduation certificates, which are also sent via the internet. Out of 592 graduating students, 227 were from the Abu Dhabi campus and 365 from Dubai.

Two of the students, Huda A'idha Salem Al Breiki (Literature and Science) and A'lia Mohammed Saeed Mahfooz (Information Systems), received grade point average (GPA) of four each, sharing the top position in the university.

Asma Abdul Majeed Mohammed Ibrahim grabbed the second position with 3.95 GPA, and the third position by Sarah Khalifa Matar Al Muhairi with 3.94 GPA.

The graduation ceremony began with the UAE National Anthem and recitation of verses from Quran.

Sheikha Fatima made a speech, which was read on her behalf by San'a Al Kitbi, Deputy Chairwoman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, while Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of Zayed University, delivered his speech via a video link.

Students with excellent performance were honoured with merit certificates and special prizes. The colourful event also saw 18 members of the Sheikha Fatima Society honoured for their work.

Later, students honoured Sheikha Fatima with a special collection of rare stones from around the world.

Earlier, in her speech, Sheikha Fatima said: "As we celebrate this great event of the graduation of a new group of brilliant students from Zayed University today, we witness the great progress which is achieved by this university despite the fact that it is so new.

"Zayed University stands out confidently as an educational institution which is capable of meeting the challenges of modern times."