H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, received today at his Zabeel Palace chairman and members of Board of Trustees of the Hamdan bin Rashid Award for distinguished academic performance, jury of the international competition and a delegation from UNESCO, who met in Dubai to assess entries for the 3rd cycle of UNESCO-Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Prize for Outstanding Practice and Performance in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teachers. Humaid bin Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the UNESCO delegation informed Sheikh Hamdan, patron of the Award, that three countries; Uganda, Madagascar and Panama, had won the 3rd edition after a competition from 99 shortlisted candidates of a total of 136 participating countries. He added that UNESCO would host the award-giving ceremony next October in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan and a crowd of top educators from the UAE and other countries. The ?UNESCO-Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Prize for Outstanding Practice and Performance in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teachers', set up in 2009 and funded by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, aims to support, encourage and benefit those working to enhance the performance and effectiveness of teachers towards Education for All. It attaches particular importance to outstanding practices in developing country contexts or those aimed at marginalized and disadvantaged communities. It also aims to facilitate the global sharing and dissemination of outstanding practices regarding teachers. Every two years, the Prize will reward three candidates from around the world who have shown outstanding achievement in enhancing the performance and effectiveness of teachers in developing countries or within marginalized or disadvantaged communities from the wider global context.