H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, has stated that the awarding of 108 UAE nationals with gold, silver and bronze medals at the close of the 9th Emirates Skills National Competition 2017 is the completion of a series of achievements that were accomplished by the wise leadership, for the nation and its citizens.

The event was organised by the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute, ADVETI, which was held between 11th and 13th April.

She praised the efforts of the ADVETI to enable more than 400 UAE nationals to showcase their skills in 51 technical and engineering areas, which included drone design, engineering drawings with AUTOCAD, web design, the maintenance of aircraft and vehicles engines, computer-aided manufacturing, fashion technology, robotics and other important technical and professional areas.

In her speech at the event’s closing ceremony at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Sheikha Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, said on behalf of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "I am proud of the status of the Emirates Skills National Competition, which reflects the creative abilities of the youth of our dear country and their innovations for following the latest developments in technology and various professional fields, by investing in their talents. This will contribute to the achievement of the strategic goals of the UAE’s development process while acquiring national, regional and international admiration."

She added that the UAE leadership has made youth talent a priority and has invested in them. Such care represented a model of strategic planning in the field of scientific development for UAE citizens, while stressing that this all took place due to the vision and perseverance of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates.

She hailed the ADVETI’s serious scientific efforts while highlighting that the organising of the World Skills Abu Dhabi 2017 competition next October, which will take place for the first time in the Middle East, reflects the great confidence in the institute. She added that this international event will provide the winners of the national competition the opportunity to contribute with their innovations, in a way that reflects the UAE’s prominent position and great achievements.

The ceremony was attended by Ali Al Marzouqi, Chairman of Emirates Skills in ADVETI and Chairman of the Organising Committee; Simon Bartley, Head of World Skills; Dr. Riyad Al Muhaidib, Director of Zayed University, and a number of senior UAE officials, education officials and citizens, who expressed their sincere appreciation to the Mother of the UAE for her great efforts towards building a great professional future for UAE nationals.