150 Grade 12 students receive Best Achievers Award in Abu Dhabi

Girl bound to wheelchair as a result of rare disease among the best achievers; twenty students selected for scholarship grant.

One’s disability is not a deterrent to excelling and doing well in school, and this was proved by Sara Ahmed Mohammed Nabi, one of the 150 recipients of the Best Achievers Award for the national examination for Grade 12 for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Shaikh Mansour hands over the Best Achievers Award to Sara Ahmed Mohammed Nabi during a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Monday. — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer

A student at the Aisha bint Abubaker Siddique, the 17-year-old was personally congratulated and honoured by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, on Monday night.

Bound to a wheelchair since she was 12 as a result of degenerative disease Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare inherited disorder that causes progressive damage to the nervous system and impairs muscles and speech, Sara received her certificate with a proud beaming face.

“I’m so happy,” said Sara who achieved 97.6 per cent grade in the art stream and scored a perfect 100 in psychology and mathematics.

“I want to complete my studies and I also want to go outside (the country) for a good medical treatment,” said the Egyptian student.

“But for this she needs financial help from people …I want to see her walk,” added Mona Abdellatif, Sara’s mother who was overcome by emotion.

Shaima Ahmed, Sara’s younger sister who assists her to go to the bathroom in school and helps in some of her projects, was equally proud of her sibling. She hopes for a scholarship grant for Sara to go to college.

Nuclear engineer

Emirati student Asala El Jabri is all set to go to college. She knows exactly what degree to take and where. A graduate of Applied Technology High School and the school topper in Abu Dhabi with 96.9 per cent grade in the science stream, Asala plans to study engineering at Khalifa University and major in nuclear energy, and further that with a master’s degree and perhaps a doctorate.

She said she underwent an interview with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) for a scholarship and is confident she will get the grant. “I love to study nuclear energy. They’re building a nuclear reactor here and I’d like to be part of the growing energy sector. This is important for the country,” Asala, who’s a staunch believer of renewable resources of energy.

Asala’s interest was piqued while studying nuclear energy as a subject at her school’s curriculum. “I was afraid before because of radiation but I found as I studied nuclear energy that it is very useful and not as expensive (in the long run) compared to what we’re using now.” Asked how she envisions herself working in the sector, she said: “I see myself working inside the reactor, not sure about the specifics, but checking the machine to make sure it’s working perfectly,” said the student who also dabbles in music and art in her spare time.

Recipients of the annual Best Achievers Award received Dh20,000 each. Twenty students also received a scholarship grant to study at the Abu Dhabi University. — olivia@khaleejtimes.com