Photo has been used for illustrative purpose.

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

Forty-one outstanding female students of Gems Education were honoured with the prestigious Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Excellence. Each of these young achievers represents an inspiring story about academic success and overcoming the odds through sheer determination to surpass all expectations and set new benchmarks.

The achievements of this year’s winners were celebrated virtually in an online tribute due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The award includes a scholarship covering a year’s tuition fee for a winner at each Gems school.

Gems Education CEO Dino Varkey said, “This year there are 41 female students who have been identified for showing exemplary dedication to learning. They are students who inspire others through their self-discipline, creativity and commitment. These young people are the trailblasers of tomorrow, and as educators, we need to inspire them to help unlock their full potential to think and collaborate to make the world a better place for all.”

The Sheikha Fatima Award for Excellence was established by Gems Education, in 2005 and highlights Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak’s role as Mother of the Nation, and her vision to celebrate and support women’s achievements and self-determination.

Tallulah Van Wyk, winner of this year’s award at Gems World Academy, Dubai, said, “Winning the Sheikha Fatima Award has been quite an experience. In the beginning, I never really expected that I would be able to achieve such a thing, but now looking back on it, I’m really proud of myself and of what I have accomplished to get where I am today.

Commenting on her award, Alafiyah Shabbir Husain, a student at The Westminster School, Dubai, said, “Winning the Sheikha Fatima Award is like a dream come true, because I watched a lot of my seniors win this and I always wanted to be someone who makes my teachers and my parents proud. And also achieve and be a part of the movement of female empowerment in the country.