38 UAE students get free scholarships

Dubai - These students have become the benchmark for their peers around the country

Thirty-eight inspirational female students from across the UAE received a year's scholarship at their respective school as part of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Awards for Excellence on Monday.
Each nominated and awarded for their unfaltering belief that 'educating girls will change the world', these students have become the benchmark for their peers around the country.
From Ceyda Kara (Gems World Academy), who goes around the school unplugging electronics in a bid to save electricity, to Roshin Mary Varghese (Our Own English Highschool) who spearheads her school's student-centric magazine using recycled paper only, the dedication from these girls to promote social responsibility is something that we only dream of seeing from the adults of today.
Running consecutively for the 11th year, the Awards was created by Gems Education in honour of the Mother of the UAE, Chairperson of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for her contributions to the empowerment of women in the UAE.
Presenting the awards to the "outstanding young women" was Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development who said it was "fitting" that they were receiving the awards in honour of the Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
"She has always known that the world is blessed with young women like you, thirty-eight students who are being recognised today. She has been the champion of women."
Impressed by the efforts of the parents and teachers in helping these students be the "people they are today", he said in today's world, quality education is more important than ever.
"Because you have demonstrated so well the essential value of education, perhaps you yourself will choose to become a teacher-I hope, a great teacher."
Nominated by their schools for their outstanding academic success, commitment to social responsibility and Global Citizenship, the winners were each presented with a scholarship covering a year's tuition fee at their respective school. Kelly@khaleejtimes.com
Three winners speak out:
Sandra Nishen Roy, 10
Gems Winchester School, Abu Dhabi
"My message to all the girls out there: there are no limits to knowledge, and nothing should stop you from discovering and exploring things that matter. In school, I am a very active leader. I am very opinionated and I like to tell people how I feel about things that mean something to me, like protecting the environment and standing up for peoples' rights. For me myself, I'm honoured to receive this award and for all reading this, remember to never stop following your path in life."
Kashish Punjabi, 16
Gems Winchester School, Dubai
"My advice to all the girls out there is to always be motivated, always have good time management between your academics and personal interests, and always be ready with your goals; set goals and achieve them. I think I was picked for this award because I have been a good role model in and outside of school. I support many different charitable campaigns and I think social responsibility is something all students should prevail in."
Nadya Abdulredha Ghanim, 18
Al Khaleej National School, Dubai
"I have been very active in community-based work, from volunteering at hospitals, to self-learning several languages including Korean and Japanese. For other young girls out there I would say always be motivated to learn more about what is around you. Do as much as you can to help other people around the world because education benefits humanity, which in turn makes the world a better place."