Source: Â www.zawya.com
Under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the winners of the 3rd Princess Haya Award for Special Education were announced at an official ceremony yesterday evening at Dubai – Madinat Jumeirah. Attending on Princess Haya’s behalf was H.E. Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Education, who was joined by H.E. Dr. Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health, senior government officials, heads of departments, public and private sector representatives and other dignitaries.
Mr. Mohammed Al Emadi, the Head of Executive Committee, declared that the ‘Outstanding CSR – Government Sector’ has been added as a new category aims at honoring the outstanding performance in the public sector that pledged their power to support social issues and special education.
“The new category of CSR has different dimensions in its criteria. It stipulates the commitment of consistent support, the efficient participation, the sponsorship for the causes of special needs centers,” Al Emadi said.
Mr. Al Emadi also praised the cooperation of government departments and private companies for supporting the Award as part of their social responsibility role. He thanked the Award supporters, GEMS Education as the Award’s main partner, National Bonds and Madinat Jumeira as the Award partners, Al Maktoum Foundation and Dubai Electricity & Water Authority as the main sponsors, as well as Community Development Authority as the co-sponsor.
On the ceremony’s stage, the award of outstanding special educator was presented to both Mohammed Makhloof from Al Nahyanya School and Dr. Hussein Ismail from Learning Center for Deaf in Lebanon. Dr. Vivian David Nicolas from Stepping Stones received the award of outstanding clinical psychologist. From the Ministry of Social Affairs, Rawhi Abdat was recognized as the outstanding educational psychologist. The award of outstanding occupational therapist was delivered to Shruti Nadkami from Al Noor Center for Children with Special Needs. Amir Ahmed Ibrahim from Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) received the award of outstanding movement therapist. Also the outstanding computer therapist was Hanan Zaki Ahmed from SCHS – Al Amal Center for Deaf. Marion Tennant from Al Noor Center received the award of the outstanding music therapist. The outstanding art therapist award was given to both Farouk Abdel Monsef – RAK Center for Handicapped and Mohammed Abu Zahra from Al Amal Deaf School at the SCHS.
Roads and Transport Authority was the winner of the outstanding research on special needs titled: Gap Analysis of facilities for People with Special Needs in Dubai Metro. The outstanding special needs project award was given to both Al Noor Center and Ghyathi Center. The award of outstanding special needs center was received by two centers this time: Dubai Center for Special Care   and Right to Live Society. Biju Andrews from Dubai Autism Center and Deniece Wheeler from Stepping Stones were the winners of the outstanding administration employee’s. The outstanding awareness campaign’s award was given to Al Noor Center for the “Smiles n’ Stuff” campaign.
The outstanding website was the Child Early Intervention Medical Center’s. The winners of the outstanding family were the family of Abdullah Awad from Abu Dhabi Education Council and the family of Yousef Osman from Dubai Autism Center.
At the CSR category, the outstanding board member Dr. Manal Jarror from UAE Down Syndrome Association. The award of outstanding volunteer was given to Sara Baker as a volunteer in Dubai Autism Center. The winner of the outstanding institutional supporter – government sector was Dubai Courts and the winners of the outstanding institutional supporter – private sector were Desert Group and Apparel Group.
At the end of the ceremony, the Awardls sponsors had been recognized for their effective role in supporting the Princess Haya Award for Special Education and make it such success.
The Princess Haya Award for Special Education was launched on November 2008 to be the first initiative of its kind in the region. It recognizes the best individuals in the special needs sector through various categories according to high international standards. The initiative also aims to encourage people working in the special needs to excel and set higher service standards in all fields of special education.
