His Excellency Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan”, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, congratulated female graduates of the three universities; “UAE University”, “Zayed University” and “Higher Colleges of Technology”, and also congratulated the people of the UAE for this new batch that will contribute to nation building and all sectors of society. His Excellency valued Her Highness Shaikha “Fatima bint Mubarak”, mother of the nation, President of the “General Women’s Union”, President of the “Higher Family Development Foundation” and Chairperson of the “Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood”, for embracing and nurturing these students, as she has spared no effort in their counseling and care in all areas.
His Excellency added that this graduation comes at time of talk of the findings of the “Global Agenda Councils’” report of the “World Economic Forum”, which placed the Emirati women in first place in the “respect for women” indicator, this respect and care towards the UAE women from the wise leadership of the State, which put women’s education, leadership capacity, skills development and empowerment in all spheres of life within its strategic plan to become an example referred to in the various international forums.
His Excellency stressed the keenness of his Highness Sheikh “Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan”, President of the State, and his Highness Sheikh “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum”, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of “Dubai, in supporting all directions to ensure a perfect environment for the education of women and to prove their efficiency in the workplace , commenting on the findings of the report he said, “we respect women, we respect their sacrifices, we respect their work and respect the raising of generations, we respect them as a mother, sister, wife and daughter and appreciate them as a teacher, an engineer, a physician, an employee and partner in building the homeland, women are the spirit of the place and are in a place of high esteem”.
His Excellency Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan” recently instructed all departments in the “Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research”, to take all necessary measures to empower women and develop their leading role in society and provide scholarship opportunities suitable for women and to encourage them through the academic advisors to complete their postgraduate studies, and direct them to the appropriate disciplines for future jobs and opportunities in the labor market.
Women represent (43%) of the labor market in the UAE, (66%) of the workforce in the general government sector, including (30%) in senior leadership posts related to decision-making, women represent (60%) of technical positions which include teaching, medicine, pharmacy and nursing, besides engaging in the regular forces of the Armed Forces, Police and Customs. The percentage of females in higher education programs reached (71.6%) of the total students in government universities, and (50.1%) students in private universities and institutes, and the percentage of female students enrolled in Master’s and Doctoral degrees reached (43%) of the total students in the private sector (62%) of students in government universities.
Her Highness Sheikha “Fatima bint Mubarak” patronized the graduation ceremony of (4958) students from the three universities on Thursday (1/5/2014) at the “National Theatre” in “Abu Dhabi”.
