Educators given key assignment

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday urged educators to work as a single team to ensure the success of the education plan for the next ten years, which was approved during a recent Cabinet meeting. Shaikh Mohammad's message came after he had inaugurated the Annual Education Conference. The 2011-2012 edition of the event was organised by the Ministry of Education and attended by thousands of UAE school principals and staff. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, also attended the conference.During the opening session, Shaikh Mohammad addressed education sector professionals from across the country reaffirming his keenness to follow up on the efforts of teachers by visiting various educational institutes, and by seeking regular updates from Humaid Mohammad Al Qutami, Minister of Education, besides suggestions and ideas for developing the education sector that are e-mailed to him by the public on his website. "We appreciate your work and effort, and consider you pioneers in the field of education. Your work is acknowledged and also appreciated by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as the students and their parents," said Shaikh Mohammad. Shaikh Mohammad called on the conference's participants to adopt a positive approach when dealing with obstacles or challenges in the field of education.He also reaffirmed that the future of the UAE is in the hands of educated citizens who are capable of building the nation and moulding future generations capable of facing up to various challenges. Shaikh Mohammad expressed his trust in the skills of educators and their ability to ensure the success of the master plan, and also wished them success in the new school year. Later, Shaikh Mohammad listened to a lecture by Dr Abdullah Al Hanbashi, director of UAE University, on preparing students for university education.Al Hanbashi said parents and guardians must be aware of the psychological aspects that dictate students' university phase in order to better prepare them academically and mentally, besides providing better guidance to help youth choose fields of study that they preferred or could excel in. Upon the conclusion of the first session, Shaikh Mohammad exchanged ideas with principals and teaching staff, who thanked Shaikh Mohammad for attending and inaugurating the event, as well as his keen interest in matters related to the education sector.Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, Al Qutami, Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and other senior officials were present.