Medal honour for 43 top Emiratis

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid praises winners of achievement award who were chosen from 137,000 nominations.

Selfie to be proud of: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, poses for a photograph with a young winner of a Medal of Top Emiratis. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, handed out medals to 43 nationals on Monday in recognition of their achievements in various fields.

In celebration of the UAE’s 43rd National Day, 43 people from 137,000 nominations were selected from educational, health, economic, military, sports and other fields, as well as a group of Emirati achievers in the fields of innovations, inventions and initiatives. They were presented with the Medal of Top Emiratis.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that the UAE, led by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, has global ambitions to be the first in the world in innovation, economy, tourism, energy and other sectors, and the most important matter for the UAE leadership is to be the first in ensuring happiness for the UAE people, reported Wam, the state news agency.

“The late Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid were the first to state that they would do well not be satisfied without achieving first place and they noted that the UAE people love the first rank,” he said.

Sheikh Mansour, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, received a Medal of Top Emiratis on behalf of “The Mother of the Emirates”, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

On honouring Sheikha Fatima, chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, supreme chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Sheikh Mohammed said: “She has set an example in the women empowerment field through developing their capacity building to keep pace with the international development in this respect.

“Through her perseverance she supplied the country with efficient women cadres capable of contributing effectively to the UAE’s nation-building.”

The strength of the Union lies in the strength of Emiratis, and the future of the Union depends on excellence of Emiratis, said Sheikh Mohammed. “The excellence of Emiratis in all fields is the key to success among other nations.”

He added that the UAE’s ambitions to score top positions could not be attained unless each Emirati youth, ministry, department and institution aspire to score top position. Sheikh Mohammed underlined that the future of the country will be realised by top achievers equipped with excellence and innovation.

The ceremony was also attended by Lt General Misbah bin Rashid AI Fattan, director of the Office of the Vice President, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, director general of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai.

The names of the winners will be archived in the Government Year Book.