The Embassy of the UAE in London, hosted the second day of the UAE-UK Pioneers Forum 2016, on Sunday, 13th March, 2016, at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.

Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, gave the opening speech at the event, and stressed the importance of holding events such as the UAE-UK Pioneers Forum for Emirati students abroad, and their role in promoting the UAE's national identity and instilling the highest sense of loyalty and belonging to their nation and leadership. He also stated that events such as these are a platform to nurture future leadership figures who will make a valuable contribution to their nation’s progress and development.

He encouraged the students to continue to represent their nation abroad in a positive manner, and take responsibility for serving the nation, while ensuring that it continues to be the best in the world in all fields. The UAE is waiting for them to return and take part in its progress and bright future, he added.

He said, "You have been given the opportunity to attend universities around the world and enrich your minds with the skills that our nation needs, for you are our one true investment. You should take pride in the fact that your nation is the first country in the world that appointed a minister from your own generation to head the Ministry of Youth, and this is proof of our leadership’s great faith and trust in your abilities and potential."

He then declared that the UAE’s brave martyrs have left an indelible mark in the precious nation’s history and made the most difficult sacrifice in order to protect the legitimacy and sovereignty of Yemen, and their sacrifice will remain a lesson in the UAE’s history.

Finally, he spoke about his experience as a student abroad, and that his main motivation was the determination to excel in order to make his country proud. His experience of working at several national companies reinforced his knowledge and expertise, allowing him to become the youngest Minister of Energy in the history of the UAE, and the youngest in the world, when he was appointed by the wise leadership in 2013, he added.

The event included a talk by Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), and a member of the UAE armed forces joined him to speak about his experience of fighting alongside his brave brothers and sisters in the armed forces, and the pride they have in serving their country. He mentioned the bright history of the UAE and its dedication to defending what is right, and taking a stand in support of countries that are in need.

This was followed by a speech by Abdulrahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwee, Ambassador of the UAE to the United Kingdom, where he welcomed the audience, praising the great care and consideration that the UAE’s leadership has given to youth, education and development, while also stating that "Allah Almighty has blessed the Emirates with a wise leadership that values our culture and heritage that was handed down to us by our founding fathers, and understands the importance of education and the role of young people in shaping the future. Our leadership always seeks to communicate with its people, who have granted them their trust and loyalty, and also seeks to benefit from the experience of countries around the world, while adopting a policy of strategic planning that takes global considerations into account. This is what makes it capable of accomplishing so many impressive feats of growth and development in record time, making our nation one of the foremost in the Middle East and the world in various fields."

Mohamed Khalifa Al Hamli, head of the organising committee of the second day of the forum, during his speech, passed on a message from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, that included advice for the students, informing them that this event signifies the importance of education in the United Arab Emirates, and its central role in the progress of the nation. He also stated that the event reflects the great progress that education has seen in the country, especially as it has always been an integral part of the wise leadership’s objectives since the founding of the nation. The aim is to help Emiratis make a valuable contribution to their nation’s growth by adding to their knowledge and applying their talent with innovation and drive. Al Hamli then went on to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the forum, and especially everyone at the embassy and attach? offices in London.

Shaikh Waseem Yousef was also present, and spoke about how students can be ambassadors of Islamic values around the world. The event was also attended by artist and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Hussain Al Jassmi, who gave a lecture, followed by a musical performance at the request of the students. This was followed by a poetry recital by acclaimed poet Jumaa Al Ghuwais.

It is also worth noting that a large number of national entities participated in the event to give awareness lectures to the students, such as Dr. Moza Ghobash, as well as a representative from the Ministry of Interior, who spoke about the role of Emirati students abroad as ambassadors representing their country, and to take pride in this role and continue to make their nation proud.

Source:WAM