Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University today sent congratulations on behalf of the entire University community to three members of faculty for their distinction in receiving Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Government Excellence Awards.

Dr Naeema Mohammed Al Hosani, Associate Professor of Cartography and Chair of the Department of Geography and Urban Sustainability received the Prime Minister s Medal for Specialised Jobs. Professor Khaled Amiri, Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Chair of the Department of Biology, College of Science and Director, Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology received The Prime Minister s Medal for Future Jobs. Professor Ali Humaid Hassan Al Marzouqi, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies received the Prime Minister s Medal for the Distinguished Innovator.

The Chancellor told the faculty members that the UAEU is honoured to have within its community individuals whose service has been recognised as having vital significance to the UAE Government s vision for excellence and global standing within federal institutions. He said, Your academic work in student education, research, community service and innovation has built the capacity of the UAEU to serve the nation s future ambitions and requirements. As such you have made an outstanding contribution to fulfilling the UAEU s mission and growing our reputation for excellence .

In turn, the award winners expressed their pride in receiving this honor. Dr. Naima Al Hosani said: The award was my dream that I drew and flew in my mind in the UAE sky with two wings. The first is His Highness, the President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan - may God protect him- and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, for receiving the highest award for government excellence at the national level, promoting and achieving happiness and quality of life for all segments of society.  She added, I am proud to be an Emirati woman who does not stand in the back, but she is at the forefront of international forums with dignity to return back the favor.

Dr. Khaled Al Amiri, said: I am very proud of winning this award and this medal is a great appreciation and honor and a national responsibility. It is not just an honor, but rather an incentive and encouragement for all generations to excel in all areas of life. I am also proud that I am the son of this pioneering university founded by the builder of the renaissance of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed, May God rest his soul.

Dr. Ali Al Marzouqi, said, "Receiving this medal is an incentive for me, my colleagues and our students to always be at the good expectations of our wise leaders and to be loyal to the homeland and continue to support the process of giving and building in all areas of national development."

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Government Excellence Award consists of 26 categories covering both corporate and individual awards. The award serves the objectives of Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Program, motivating federal institutions to strive for global leadership and competitiveness in all fields.

The Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Program is the first integrated federal platform to gauge and celebrate excellence in performance and innovative initiatives in the UAE Federal Government. The program was established under decree No. 165/22 dated 12/6/2006.