Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award Promotes Female Leadership Across GEMS Schools
The Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Excellence has played a vital role in encouraging female students to step into leadership roles and achieve greater success in their academic and personal journeys, a senior official from GEMS Education said.
Addressing the annual award ceremony held at GEMS Winchester School Dubai on Tuesday, Ranju Anand, Executive Vice-President at GEMS Education, paid tribute to the vision of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, highlighting her commitment to fostering leadership and strengthening the role of women in society.
She noted that the award, introduced in 2005, recognises outstanding female students across GEMS schools for their academic excellence, leadership qualities, and community engagement, while also offering scholarships to help nurture future leaders.
“Today is a very special day. Each year, we present this excellence award to female students to encourage and elevate them into leadership roles across various sectors, particularly sports, education, and social development,” she said.
Celebrating Excellence and Leadership
This year, 11 female students were selected from GEMS schools across the UAE in recognition of their exceptional academic achievements, leadership skills, and meaningful contributions to social, environmental, and global citizenship initiatives.
Award winners for 2025-26
- Hareem Rizvi, The Westminster School, Dubai
- Basmah Hamad Amer Salem Alzarei, GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi
- Leen Nael Abdel Latif Suleiman, GEMS Westminster School, Sharjah
- Riffa Mehnaz Ziaul Rahman, The Cambridge High School, Abu Dhabi
- Sowmyaraju Iyer, GEMS Winchester School, Dubai
- Nour Ahmed Mahmoud Helal Mosaad, GEMS Cambridge International Private School, Sharjah
- Maha Gul, GEMS Winchester Private School, Fujairah
- Joshika Jain, The Winchester School, Jebel Ali
- Ebunoluwa Hannah Atinuke Adelani, GEMS Winchester School, Abu Dhabi
- Soha Abdulla, GEMS Cambridge International School, Dubai
- Sangaynangsal Tamang, GEMS Winchester School, Ras Al Khaimah
The award-winning students expressed pride and gratitude, describing the recognition as both inspirational and motivating.
“GEMS provides an extremely important platform that empowers female students and recognises their skills,” the students said.
Voices of Achievement
Hareem Rizvi, a student from The Westminster School Dubai, pledged to continue striving for excellence.
“It is a proud moment for me, my family, and my school. I finally captured the prize,” she said.
Sharing her journey, Hareem added:
“I applied for this award twice over the past two years but couldn’t quite cross the finish line. I never gave up, and now I hold the crowning jewel of excellence in the education sector. Be persistent, never give up, and always try something new.”
Another award recipient, Ebunoluwa Hannah Atinuke Adelani from GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi, said she was thrilled and credited her parents and teachers for their unwavering support.
“I’m happy and absolutely thrilled. I sincerely thank my parents and teachers, who have been my guiding stars on this journey toward achieving such an important milestone,” she said.
Event Highlights
Earlier, Matthew James Lecuyer, Principal and CEO of GEMS Winchester School Dubai, delivered the welcome address and congratulated the winners.
The event was co-hosted by the school’s Head Boy, Yousuf Aly Mohamed, and Head Girl, Niharika Arvind.
Each award recipient, nominated by their respective schools for academic excellence, social responsibility, and commitment to global citizenship, received a one-year tuition fee scholarship.