Watch: Top students, teachers honoured with Dubai's Hamdan Awards
The annual awards, held at Rashid Hall in the Dubai World Trade Centre, honoured top-performing teachers, exceptional students, and education-focused researchers.
In the local category, 42 individuals and institutions were recognised out of 195 participants, while 17 winners were selected from 98 contenders in the Gulf region.
The ceremony also recognised 13 Arab student teams for their success in the Future Science Challenge.
Among the international winners was a research paper from Australia, which received the award for applied research in nurturing talents of gifted students.
Celebrating creativity, excellence
In his keynote address, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Foundation, who honoured the winners, said: 'In each edition of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Awards, we celebrate creativity and excellence, honouring a select group of innovators who have worked hard and contributed to the advancement of education and science. This educational achievement is the result of sincere efforts and promising abilities that deserve recognition and honour.'
He added: 'Supporting education and empowering leading educational practices remains at the core of our vision. The awards system complements our training and innovation programmes, reflecting our steadfast commitment to enhancing the quality of education and motivating excellence in light of contemporary educational and cultural challenges.'
New awards, grant
As part of new initiatives, Sheikh Rashid announced the launch of an award in partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) to promote digital innovation in education. A second new award will recognise outstanding educators in the Gulf, developed in cooperation with the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States. Additionally, a Dh1 million research grant in health was announced to support scientific research and preventive policy development.
'We congratulate all the winners and remind them that this honour is only the beginning of a path of sustainable excellence,' Sheikh Rashid said. 'Together, we carry the message of excellence, high morals, and creative minds.'
Distinguished dignitaries
The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and General Security in Dubai; Saeed Al Kindi, former Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council; Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology; Hajer Ahmed Al Thehli, Secretary-General of the Education and Human Resources Council (EHRC); Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation; Dr. Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Moqbel, Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States; and Rashid bin Fahd, along with several other senior officials, international delegates, and members of the public.
'We gather today to honour excellence, revive hope, and celebrate knowledge. This recognition is the fruit of a long journey of hard work and dedication. The award is a tool for driving educational development and a living proof of what fruitful partnerships can achieve.'
Tributes to Sheikh Hamdan
He also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, founder of the Foundation, saying: 'We remember the late Sheikh Hamdan and ask Allah to reward him for the good seed he planted, which continues to yield knowledge, excellence, and creativity.'
Meanwhile, Al Qatami expressed pride in the institution's continued commitment: 'We celebrate a new group of distinguished individuals during the closing ceremony of the Foundation, which continues to fulfil its mission of promoting educational excellence and embedding a culture of innovation and creativity.'
He added: 'These awards, established over a quarter of a century ago by the late Sheikh Hamdan, serve as a reference of academic leadership and a lever for performance improvement. The diversity of the submissions reflects the educational community's confidence in the Foundation's role.'
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