Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Thursday launched the second edition of UAE Pioneers initiative, calling on all members of the community to nominate distinguished personalities to honour them during the 44th UAE National Day celebrations.

Commenting on the occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said: "UAE Pioneers are the owners of future ideas who constantly look for opportunities of excellence and innovation to serve their country and their people. This initiative is an effort to thank and honour these creative citizens who have left their imprints in the UAE's progressive march, and their contributions will always be appreciated by the people of this country."

His Highness said: "Last year, we honoured 43 UAE Pioneers who included the first doctor, inventor, professor, broadcaster, policewoman and other personalities. We are proud of all those who have left a significant impact on the nation, and they will remain in the hearts of every citizen and resident in the UAE. This year we are calling for nominations for new pioneers to honour them on the 44th UAE National Day."

His Highness added: "By honouring the Pioneers, we want to inspire in every person in the UAE the quest to attain the first position in their field of work and specialisation, and we are confident that our people will pursue this goal every year. The UAE Pioneers are the nation's wealth and we are proud of them. We want to immortalise their names in history just as they have immortalised the name of the UAE through their work."

The UAE Pioneers initiative aims to promote in the Emirati society the concept of honouring, establish in the people of the UAE a love the number one position, and promote their passion to discover new areas not attempted by anyone else. The initiative also sheds light on the first pioneers of the UAE who have served faithfully since the founding of the UAE to strengthen the Union and raise the nation's flag at all levels.

The initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is an annual event held as part of the National Day celebrations and the anniversary of the founding of the UAE Federation.

Under the initiative, all UAE citizens can nominate themselves or other people who are pioneers in various fields such as education, health, economy, military, sports, innovations and inventions, and initiatives of excellence in all levels in the UAE.

Nominations can be made through social media platforms or via website www.uaepioneers.ae.

The Organising Committee of the initiative will sort the nominations and shortlist them after reviewing them with the government authorities concerned.

The UAE Pioneers will be given special medals by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and their names will also be archived in the Government Year Book of the UAE Pioneers.

Source: WAM