Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Wife of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Chairperson of the UAE Women's Federation yesterday urged all institutions of the society, particularly private sector companies, to actively contribute to working out training programmes for graduates to help them meet requirements of labour market.

Sheikh Fatima attended yesterday the graduation ceremony of 2,079 female students of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

"President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has always put UAE women in a high position and urged them to assist the man in every field, keeping Islamic values and Arab traditions," Sheikha Fatima said in an address read out on her behalf by Darwish Al KutbiI, Secretary-General of the UAE Red Crescent Society.

"The task of training young national graduates should not be solely undertaken by the public sector, while the private sector firms stand by idly."

She added that the graduation of the 11th batch from the HCT and 21st batch from the UAE University was yet another achievement which came in response to the call of Sheikh Zayed to all national young men and women to work hard so as to continue the march of progress and prosparity.

Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of UAE University and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), addressed the ceremony yesterday via teleconference.

In his address, he thanked and welcomed Her Highness Sheikha Fatima for patronising and attending the graduation ceremony. Sheikh Nahyan said: "On this occasion, I am pleased to welcome you all as we celebrate the UAE University's 21st and HCT's 11th graduation ceremonies.

"It is a great honour to hold this ceremony once again under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, and we take the opportunity to express our gratitude for her great pride in the success of women graduates, recognition of the importance of education and continued support of their academic and professional progress."

The minister added that the annual ceremony is a true expression of Her Highness's keenness to implement the vision of His Highness the UAE President where the roles of UAE University and HCT will be elevated as committed national institutions that keep abreast of the latest academic and technological developments in order to ensure a prosperous future.

Sheikh Nahyan also extended his thanks on behalf of UAE University and HCT to Sheikha Fatima. The Minister noted: "I take this opportunity to affirm that the remarkable unsurpassed success of the UAE University and HCT is attributed to the wise direction of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE President.

"We also pledge to commit ourselves to maintaining our high standards, as both institutions are fully aware of the pivotal role of higher education in the advancement of the economic and cultural development.

"To all the graduates, I extend my congratulations and wish to remind every one of them of their expected roles in serving their families, community and nation. We have great expectations for your future and great confidence that you will meet these expectations."

A statement from the graduates was also read out at the ceremony. They expressed their gratitude to the wise leadership of Sheikh Zayed and dedicated their success to Sheikha Fatima.

"We pledge to achieve our desired objectives at the professional, domestic and social levels. We also thank God for His blessings, which are embodied in our distinguished performance, advanced curricula, and qualified teachers," the female graduates said in their statement.