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Dubai student wins Hamdan award for the third time

Simran, a grade 11 student of Universal American School, becomes the first student from Dubai to win a national education award for five consecutive years.

His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, presents Distinguished Academic Excellence Award to Simran Vedvyas, a Grade 11 student from The Universal American School, during a ceremony held on 22.04.2015 - Supplied photo

Dubai: Celebrations and phone calls don't seem to end for Simran Vedvyas, a Grade 11 student, who received the prestigious Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance Wednesday night.

Simran, a grade 11 student of Esol Education’s Universal American School, became the first and only student from her school to win this award, and also the first student in Dubai to win a national education award for five consecutive years.

'I was thrilled when I learned I have won this award. It's the fifth time that I received a National Education award and the third time I got the Hamdan award. The first time I won, it was a turning point for me and after that I never looked back,” said excited Simran.

Simran received the award from His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance at an award ceremony on Wednesday, which included a trophy, certificate and a cash prize of Dh20,000.

Established 17 years ago, the Hamdan Award is a GCC-wide program that recognizes excellence in teaching and learning. Measuring exceptional academic distinction, leadership qualities, extracurricular interests as well as community contributions, activities and contests, the award is a true celebration of Simran’s numerous achievements, which also include two previous Hamdan Awards in 2009 and 2012, as well as two Sharjah Education Awards, in 2008 and 2012. Simran has also recently won the International Diana Award for her work as an environmentalist.

Simran is a voracious reader. Her mother said, when she is not studying for school, Simran loves to read anything and everything under the sun. She leads a group called Synergy, which aims at helping the environment. Simran is also an avid debater and a fond listener of music.

Simran is also the youngest World Peace Caravan ambassador - and the only one from the UAE.

She said her aim is to take up medicine as her career. 'While I plan to use a part of the cash prize for my further studies, I would like to donate a major portion of it to support children with the missionaries of charity,” adds Simran, who has been donating a major portion of the cash prize won in the previous awards as well.

As for her parents, they are busy treating their friends and family. “Last night we had a dinner party at Intercontinental. As we speak I am driving to her school with a box of treats from Starbucks,” said Swati Vedvyas, her proud mother, who has been involved in her academics from the very beginning.

She went on to say, “Hamdan is a global award. It is very encouraging to see my daughter attain such great heights. She’s not just a focused student but she also is thoroughly involved in other extra-curricular activities.”

Simone Sebban, Principal, Universal American School, said, 'It brings immense pride to us as she is the first and only student from our school to win this award. She does a terrific job of balancing her academics with extra-curricular activities. She also actively takes part in helping the environment. I hope other students can learn from her.'

Andrew Torris, Director, Universal American School, said, “I believe we need to inspire our students to follow their passions, while letting them inspire us to do the same. Simran is extremely confident, and her outstanding achievements have made her the first student at UAS to receive the Hamdan Award, inspiring a whole generation of students ahead.”

- nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com