His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, attended Abu Dhabi University’s fourth graduation ceremony for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The fourth graduate class consisted out of 358 students; 64% of which were UAE nationals.
The ceremony was held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) and attended by H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research and Vice President of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, H.E. Dr. Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State and a member of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, Dr. Saeed Hamad Al Hasani, Director General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Mr. Ahmad Ali AL Sayegh, Chairman of Al Dar Properties and Chairman of The Donor’s Fund at Abu Dhabi University, Mrs. Sana’a Darwish Al Ktubi, Advisor to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed and a member of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Mohamed Hasan Omran, Executive Director of Etisalat and a member of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, Mr.Qusai Al Ghussain, a member of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, H.E. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, the ADU Chairman of the Executive Board, Professor Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, the ADU Chancellor, and a number of academics, executives, students and parents of graduates.
After the event, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was quoted to say that education is, and always will be, the foundation of the nation’s growth and development. Education made it possible to build a new civilization, and it established the UAE as one of the great countries of the world. In this regard he expressed his appreciation for the continued commitment to education of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Members of the Supreme Council of Rulers, the Rulers of the various Emirates, and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and President of Abu Dhabi Education Council.
He also mentioned the relevance and importance of education in creating and building a national identity that is centered on traditional values while being open to modern sciences and advanced technologies. While the world is undergoing tremendous changes in the various fields of science, technology and knowledge, the UAE needs to redouble its commitment to the primary, secondary and tertiary phases of education and learning. In doing so, the UAE will be able to face the challenges of this ever-changing demand for academic and professional resources with confidence and efficiency. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has established itself as a very attractive location for universities, educational institutions and specialized research centers from around the world as a result of its unique educational environment. This is made possible with its inclusion of a wide diversity of cultures and nationalities without discrimination on the basis of gender, color, religion, creed or nationality. The UAE attracts many different cultures that live in tolerant harmony.
He also made mention of the graduates, advising them to preserve and cherish the genuine and true values of the UAE society. He continued by saying that they should always remember that they are representatives of Abu Dhabi University, the institution that nurtured them with care and knowledge. He then advised the graduates that they should not see their degrees as the end of their education, but rather that they should always continue to learn, adding to their qualifications with new experiences, skills and degrees. By doing this, each and every graduate will become a continuing asset to the UAE job market.
This was followed with a speech by H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. In his speech he stated that ADU is proud of its academic and social achievements, especially since the university has endowed over 2500 graduates with the ability to secure employment at various establishments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. He expressed his appreciation for the support of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the field of education. This has ensured that every national and resident in the country is entitled to a unique education. He also expressed his appreciation for the vision and guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mohamad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi & Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who made Abu Dhabi a unique center of teaching and learning in the region and the world. He also thanked H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, for his efforts in establishing a unique national academic organization that excels in teaching and scientific research and is engaged in all social issues of the UAE society. He explained that ADU offered academic and social initiatives that made ADU one of the best national universities and a home to people from all walks of life.
He noted that he is honored by the participation of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahayan in ADU’s fourth graduation ceremony. As the graduation ceremony honors the accomplishments of the graduates, it also affords an opportunity to express pride in the university’s progress and accomplishments, and the remarkable level of maturity and success it achieved in its very short history. He welcomed Sheikh Hamdan, and reaffirmed with great pride, that the real and significant contributions of Abu Dhabi University to higher education in the UAE, are a clear testament to, and a direct result of, his guidance and leadership.
The university’s contributions represent a creative response to Sheikh Hamdan’s strong mandate for Abu Dhabi University to reach the highest standards of performance and achievement; the university boasts the best educational outcomes and a strong connection to the community; it empowers individuals and community institutions to achieve; it participates in building a national knowledge economy; and it keeps up with the latest developments and the most important discoveries in a world characterized by continuous change. He thanked Sheikh Hamdan for his patronage of the graduation ceremony and for his strong leadership and support of Abu Dhabi University. He also greatly appreciated Sheikh Hamdan’s efforts and initiatives in the development and progress of the United Arab Emirates.
He then welcomed all the guests that attended the ceremony: leaders and members of the community as well as parents of the graduates. He thanked them for their support of Abu Dhabi University and valued their confidence in its progress and its bright future.
He continued: “We are very fortunate that the United Arab Emirates enjoys such successful development and so many accomplishments in the field of higher education. These achievements flow from a strong national conviction that successful education is a key investment in our future and is one of the most critical factors in the development of society. This conviction is continually emphasized by His Highness the President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan.
The President repeatedly declares that human development is essential to national development, for the building of our national institutions, and for achieving prosperity for individuals as well as for the entire society.”
“On graduation day, we express our appreciation for the President’s strong support of institutions of higher education, including Abu Dhabi University. His Highness’s support is instrumental in making these institutions responsive to the needs of the nation and strong participants in its development and progress. Today, we offer our respect for His Highness and express our thanks and gratitude for his interest and leadership.”
“Today, I am also honored to offer our thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. We express our deep appreciation for his strong support of our colleges and universities. We value his focus on preparing national graduates who are future leaders of their communities, who are able to deal successfully with the demands of a modern society and contribute to developments in the nation, the region and the world.”
“We are very pleased that Abu Dhabi University is fulfilling all these goals and expectations. The university’s mission is aligned with the country’s goals and aspirations; the university is dedicated to being a part of the national efforts for development and success. This, in my view, establishes Abu Dhabi University as a valued national asset and engenders strong support for its mission and deep pride in its accomplishments.”
“On behalf of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, it is now my pleasure to announce the fourth graduation class of the University. This class consists of 161 graduates from baccalaureate programs and 197 graduates from masters program. All graduates have successfully completed all graduation requirements.”
“To the graduates, I offer my congratulations. We hope that your graduation today commences a successful and productive life and career. We are confident that you are able to achieve all your goals and objectives. We are hopeful that you, like all previous graduates of Abu Dhabi University, will be models of ethical behavior, strong dedication, and clear achievement. We are confident that you will carry out your responsibilities in the service of the nation. Congratulations; best wishes for success; and may God grant you wisdom and happiness.”
“To the faculty and staff of the university, we thank you for your sincere efforts in educating these graduates. To the parents of the graduates, we congratulate you on the achievements of your sons and daughters. And to Abu Dhabi University, I offer my best wishes for continued success and accomplishment.”
“Your Highness, thank you again for honoring this important ceremony with your presence. We look forward to continued success and prosperity for the United Arab Emirates under the wise and visionary leadership of His Highness the President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan.”
After Sheikh Nayan’s speech, Khould Al Zaabi, delivered the graduates’ speech. She said: “I'm honored to represent the fourth graduate class of Abu Dhabi University, and I am thrilled to deliver the graduation address on their behalf. We are celebrating a unique and distinctive group of graduates today - this being a group of graduates representing a diverse spectrum of disciplines across undergraduate and graduate levels.
We gained a rich treasury of knowledge from this outstanding institution of higher learning and had the opportunity to integrate academic values such as creativity, innovation, scientific excellence, team work and community service into our daily lives.”
“We are very happy to be present at this glittering celebration which was organized under the generous patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of The Ruler in The Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University's Board of Trustees. His Highness graciously and magnanimously embraced the responsibility of guiding and developing this young university to become a distinguished and prestigiously scientific and technological institution, not only in Emirate of Abu Dhabi, but also within the region and the world.”
“We are proud to belong to Abu Dhabi University and even more proud of its generous and specialist academic support rendered through its programs, its scientific research, and its community service. We are also proud of the quality of its learning outcomes - outcomes which have improved our efficiency and our scientific and practical professionalism in various work locations. Each and every graduate of ADU, ever since the first graduate class four years ago, is considered a representative and ambassador of the university, representing its values and prestigious scientific excellence.”
“We take great pride in, and we are honored by, your presence today and we would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, and H.H.General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.”
“Also to Your Highness, for your generous sponsorship, unlimited support and untiring efforts to make Abu Dhabi University a unique role model in education and community service, as well as a national institution applying the highest standards of scientific and applied research in higher education.”
“Moreover, we are honored to share with the families in their happiness today, the families who have always been supportive of our efforts and accomplishments. We promise God, our nation and its wise leadership to be fruitful seeds, carrying in our hearts the highest UAE values which your Highness represents. These are the values of forgiveness, brotherhood and support to all without any discrimination against color, religion, nationality or gender.”
At the end of the ceremony H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the assistance of H.E. Sheikh Nahayn Bin Mubarak AL Nahyan and H.E Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, handed the graduates their certificates and handed the honour roll students gifts and souvenirs. H.E. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri also handed a gift of appreciation to Sheikh Hamdan for attending and supporting the event.
At the end of the ceremony H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with attendance H.E. Sheikh Nahayn Bin Mubarak AL Nahyan and H.E Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri handed the graduates the certificates and handed the distinctive students gifts and souvenirs.
At the end of the ceremony, H.E Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri handed a gift to H.H H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as an appreciation for attending and supporting the event.