Dubai: More than 200 underprivileged school and university students have been honoured by Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) for their outstanding academic performance in 2017.
The foundation held a special ceremony to recognise the achievements of the students under its care for scoring above 85 per cent during the 2017 academic year.
As part of its mission to enable the less privileged segments of the population, AMAF spent more than Dh35 million during 2017 on health, education and social care, it was announced. Of this amount, more than Dh3 million were spent on the education of 763 minors and to provide educational assistance to children with learning difficulties.
In addition, AMAF paid the education fees for children of several low-income families.
The foundation also signed multiple agreements and partnerships with leading educational institutions towards improving the skills of minors and enhancing their educational experience.
“Our new cohort of successful students enhances our confidence in a generation that is determined to contribute to our nation’s growth and help boost its position globally in scientific and cultural fields,” said Ali Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of AMAF.
“We are proud of our students for their academic excellence and for imbibing rich values and principles that they can draw upon while building solid and meaningful career,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by AMAF department heads and employees, and several business leaders in the UAE.
Addressing the students, Ahmad Hasan, Head of Minors Department at AMAF, said the future of any civilised nation lies in its educated and enlightened people. “Their advancement and in consequence the progress of nations is measured by the level of education, its accessibility, and its contribution to preparing an empowered generation.”
He said AMAF reaffirms its commitment to the legacy of the founding father of the UAE, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision played a key role in advancing education and elevating the UAE’s human capital.
“We are proud of the accomplishments of our youngsters who have overcome all challenges and made excellence their way of life,” he said.
The event also included the screening of a short documentary film that highlighted AMAF’s most notable initiatives and projects till date during the Year of Zayed. The film reiterated the foundation’s efforts in providing support to minors’ education to enable them to serve their society and nation as well-informed citizens.
