| Sheikha
Fatima bint Mubarak
Chairwoman of UAE General
Women's Union
Her
Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the wife of the President
of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Chairwoman of UAE
General Women's Union, was presented the International ATHENA
Award on March 9th for her role in supporting women's education.
Sheikha Fatima was presented the award during the first
graduation ceremony of Zayed University held in the Abu
Dhabi National Theatre.
The
first graduating class from Zayed University presented 379
women certificates and gave honors to 27 women who graduated
from The ATHENA Society. This select group was honored for
participation in the ATHENA Global Links Mentoring Program
and the ATHENA Institute which focuses on cultivating leadership
skills among Zayed University’s students. The vision
of the program is to recognize, identify and develop leadership
skills of future leaders of the UAE."
Martha
Mayhood Mertz, Founder of the ATHENA Foundation, presented
the award and congratulated Sheikha Fatima for her contribution
towards women's education in the UAE.
"I
am honored and deeply moved to thank Sheikha Fatima on behalf
of the girls and women around the globe for exemplifying
the highest model of leadership and to present her with
this award for her quiet yet powerful contribution to positively
change all of us."
The
International ATHENA Award is presented to an outstanding
individual who has achieved the highest level of professional
excellence; given her time and talent back to her entire
community; and most especially, has positively impacted
women and girls throughout the world. In the 20 years history
of the ATHENA Foundation, only 10 such awards have been
presented. This is a historic occasion because for the first
time such an award is being presented in the UAE."
According
to Ms. Mertz. "This award highlights the valued partnership
between Zayed University and the International ATHENA Foundation
and it underscores the value of their shared missions –
opening leadership opportunities for women. This award emphasizes
the importance of expanding leadership roles in the 21st
century for women and girls."
"This
graduation is a historic occasion that signifies our confidence
in the present and our optimism in the future," said
Sheikha Fatima in a speech delivered on her behalf by Secretary
General of the Red Crescent Society Sanaa Darwish Al Koutbi.
"It is a further indication of the continued national
progress towards more accomplishments and achievements in
the important realm of higher education. We understand the
importance of having well prepared university graduates
for the continuing development of the country."
Sheikha
Fatima expressed her strong conviction of the importance
of higher education as a basis for a comprehensive development
of society. She said it is a way to equip the UAE youth
with the necessary skills to participate in world development.
Sheikha
Fatima also stressed, "I take this opportunity to reiterate
that the present and future contributions of women in our
society depend on education. Accordingly, we will do everything
possible to enhance educational opportunities for women
at all levels."
The
event was attended by a visiting multi-national delegation,
comprised of spouses of United Nations Security Council
representatives on an official visit by invitation from
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima. The distinguished delegation
included Lady Anne Greenstock, Britain; Diallo Zalikatou,
Guinea; Heeun Ryan, Ireland; Sabeeha Abu Al Hassan, Kuwait;
Manipreet Konjul, Mauritius; Martha Ketchum Aguilar, Mexico;
Hanina Sultan Al Mughairy, Omman; Anne Markey Mahbubani,
Singapore; Nawal Wahbeh Batinianeh, Syria; Chantal Belinga
Eboutou, Cameroon; and Safiya Buallay, Bahrain
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