Disability is not a deterrent, prove high school achievers

Shaikh Mansoor honours Nayef Abdul Razzaq at the achievers award ceremony at Emirates Palace Hotel.

Perseverance is the ticket to success and disability is not a deterrent. This was proven by 150 high school students, among them visually impaired Nayef Abdulrazak Mohammed Shariff, who were honoured on Tuesday night at the Best Achievers Award Ceremony for being on the country's list of high achievers.
A graduate of Ras Al Khaimah Secondary School, Nayef, got 96.9 per cent and is the second topper in his school. He was personally congratulated by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), for his achievement.
According to Nayef, the key to excelling is patience and perseverance. "I use a cassette recorder to record the lessons and I listen to it two to three times to memorise it," said the 17-year old. He said his only difficulty at school was on subjects that require him to draw but others are 'easy'.
He got full marks in maths and geology.
Nayef, who plans to study computer engineering at either UAE University or Khalifa University, is excited of the future and of his contribution in "developing many things" for his country.
His brother, Nawaf, who witnessed the ceremony, expressed his pride for his brother. "I'm very happy for him, although this is not unexpected because he studies hard and does what he needs to excel. He is strong," he said.
Abdullah Mohammed Al Garrah, who graduated from the Applied Technology High School in Fujairah, plans to take up either nuclear or chemical engineering at Khalifa University.
He earned 95.5 per cent average and scored 100 per cent in maths and engineering maths. He ranked third among the toppers of his school.
"I'm interested in these majors and I think I have the ability to perform in these subjects. Maths and chemistrys are the easiest subjects for me," said the 18-year-old who was groomed to become an engineer since he was 10. According to his father, Mohammed Abdullah received scholarship offers from Adnoc and the Fujairah Port to send him to higher education institutions abroad. But Abdullah said he has decided against taking up the offers as he needs better flexibility with work choices later.
Although he said he is eyeing a position someday with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).
His dad said he has no problem paying for his son's school fees. "The best way to spend your money is to spend it on education," Mohammed stated.
Speaking during the Best Achievers Award Ceremony on behalf of her peers, Alyazia Al Shamsi from Al Ain expressed happiness at their achievements and thanked the parents and those who contributed to their success.
"To those people who worked hard with us and for us, we are here today achieving success. It was a great journey full of challenges and obstacles, and we've now achieved success. These moments are an introduction to our future that will require a lot of hard work in order to leave a print that will make us different from others.
"This honour is just a step in our long journey. We are optimistic about the future and we count on God and our capacities which will know no limits," she said.
The honourees include pupils from public schools, Institutes of Applied Technology, as well as Emirati special needs achievers. Each student received a cheque for Dh20,000 and some scholarship grants.
olivia@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

Olivia Olarte-Ulherr

olivia@khaleejtimes.com