Sheikh Nahayan presents Sheikha Fatima Awards to 24 GEMS students

The award, which includes a scholarship to cover a year's tuition fee at a GEMS school and a memento, was instituted by GEMS in 2005 to honour Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, wife of the late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for her contributions to the empowerment of UAE women, and her support for excellence in all areas.

The winners of this year's awards are: Shweta Johri, Diandra Fernando, Ahana Nanda, Salama Al Majid, Vinaya Shah, Abigail Freeman, Sheikha Shaikha Saeed Saif Bin Mohd Al Nehayan, Rhea Ganapathy, Angela Abraham, Maria Hasanali, Mina Nuqul, Aswathy Jayachandran, Shaziya Kalam, Ayesha Ahmed, Mansuda Arora, Ashna Gupta, Drishti Masand, Kirti Ramesh, Pooja Ramaswamy, Chithraa Raj, Krishnasruthi Srivalsan, Rama Kulkarni, Malak Benani, and Angeline Christy.

Winners of the annual award are nominated by committees from each school, based on outstanding academic success, significant contribution to environmental concerns, a high level of social or community service and commitment to world citizenship.

GEMS Founder and Chairman Sunny Varkey congratulated the students, parents and teachers, and urged the winners to pursue excellence in all their future endeavours.

"I would like to congratulate these young girls who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and successes. The Sheikha Fatima Awards celebrate promising students in our schools and encourages them to maintain their social commitment and academic as well as extra curricular excellence. We are proud to promote talent and to support our youth in their contributions to this country".