Abu Dhabi school pupils get onboard with Abu Dhabi Awards

Record 25,000 individual nominations received two weeks before deadline.

ABU DHABI // The Abu Dhabi Awards have received a record number of nominations for outstanding individuals in the lead-up to this year’s ceremony.

Organising committee member Dana Al Mutawa said more than 25,000 individual nominations have been received so far, the most since the awards were launched.

They were established in 2005 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to recognise individuals for exemplary community service with the emirate’s highest civilian honour.

Nominations are being accepted until June 27 for the December awards and can be made via mail or at kiosks set up at 100 nomination centres throughout the emirate.

“We have two weeks until the end of this campaign and it has been going very well,” Ms Al Mutawa said. “We are excited to see more nominations come in during Ramadan.

“The stories to tell are really great, so we are excited to hear more.”

On Monday, the awards committee visited Al Mushrif Primary School in the capital to drum up support for the event that is held every two years. Since nominations opened last month, 10 schools have been visited.

At an assembly, pupils were given a brief presentation about the awards and were asked to fill out a nomination ballot.

“We’re trying to encourage them to nominate someone they appreciate, because we want to build the concept of being thankful and grateful to have these people in their life,” Ms Al Mutawa said.

Hareb Al Dhaheri nominated his mother.

“I have to nominate someone for a very good reason,” the 10-year-old said. “Every time I need her she is always there for me.”

Showing off her recent dental work, Maha Al Braiki, 10, wanted to honour her orthodontist.

“He’s kind and nice and doesn’t frown,” she said. “He’s helping everyone smile.”

Raya Al Hajeri, 10, was nominating her teacher.

“She’s always kind and she teaches us what we need to know, and also how to be independent.”

Al Mushrif Primary principal Emma Shanahan said the awards reflected the school’s core values, which aimed to empower students to become leaders.

“Our school values, courtesy, consideration, cooperation and common sense, focus on children developing good citizenship skills, empowering them to make a positive contribution,” she said.

“By nominating individuals for the Abu Dhabi Awards our students are becoming more aware of the importance of kind and selfless actions, and the impact they can have on all our communities.”

To date, 63 awards have been distributed to Emiratis and UAE residents in the seven ceremonies that have been held.

Two years ago, more than 117 nationalities were represented among 29,500 nominations for 14,700 individuals, of which 56 per cent were from the Middle East region.