The UAE’s awarded ‘Pioneers’

The 44 Emiratis honoured by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, for their contributions to the UAE’s success:

1. Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the first Foreign Minister and the first to broadcast the UAE Union Statement.

2. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the first Arab to be elected in the Executive Committee of the International Publishers Association.

3. Juma Al Majid, from Dubai, the first founder of a writing restoration centre, Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage.

4. Alia Al Kaabi, the first female prosecutor.

5. Abdullah Mohammed Al Buraiki, from Al Ain, the first to work in the precision industry.

6. Ali Mohamed Bujsaim, from Dubai, the first UAE international football referee.

7. Dr Hessa Lootah, first female television director.

8. Dr Fatima Taher, first innovator of an electronic system that helps in early detection of lung cancer.

9. Ahmed Al Hamli (deceased) from Liwa, Abu Dhabi, first fighter pilot.

10. Salem Al Naimi, from Ras Al Khaimah, first teacher in formal education.

11. Captain Abdul Al Diwani, from Ajman, first sea captain.

12. Dr Mohammad Al Olama, from Dubai, first surgeon to implant a brain pressure measuring device.

13. Professor Abdul Al Sharhan, from Ras Al Khaimah, first dean in the UAE.

14. Khaleda Khamas and Abdel Merdas, married couple, the first to establish a thalassaemia humanitarian association.

15. Hamad Abu Shihab (deceased), from Ajman, first to document Nebati poetry in the UAE.

16. Fatima Al Kaabi, 14, from Sharjah, youngest inventor.

17. Ahmed Al Mansouri, from Dubai, 71, first radio presenter.

18. Mariam Al Matrooshi, first to win a silver medal at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports World Games.

19. Captain Ahmed Al Shamsi, 55, from Dubai, first pilot to fly an Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

20. Dr Zeinab Kazim, from Dubai, first physician in obstetrics and gynaecology.

21. Brig Dr Ahmad Al Haddad, from Ras Al Khaimah, first researcher in the field of Arabic handwriting and signature recognition for criminal investigation.

22. Sheikh Muhammad bin Ali Al Mahmoud (deceased) from Sharjah, founder of the country’s first formal education school.

23. Faisal Al Marzouki, from Dubai, first inventor of water desalination technology based on nanotechnology.

24. Saeed Ahmed Saeed, first to win an international chess championship.

25. Salem Kubaish, from Dubai, 61, first public prosecutor.

26. Fatima Mattar, first flight engineer.

27. Mohammed Abdouli (deceased), first judge in the federal courts.

28. Abdulrahman Hokal, first sport commentator.

29. Sheikha Mahra bint Majid Al Qasimi, first female school principal.

30. Dr Adel Al Maroui, first doctor to specialise in neurosurgery.

31. Abdul Al Hasawi, first physical education teacher.

32. Dr Jamila Suwaidi, from Dubai, first specialist in the field of medical physics.

33. Rashid Rahman, from Ras Al Khaimah, first to receive a doctoral degree in special needs sports.

34. Sheikha Mubarak Saif Al Nakhi, first female story author.

35. Ahmed Borahimh (deceased), first director of a formal school.

36. Abdullah Darwish, from Dubai, first television director.

37. Suhail Salem, first football player to score an international goal.

38. Mohammad Al Hashemi, first inventor of electromagnetic energy-powered motor system.

39. Lt Col Afra Saeed Al Falasi, first commander of the female military school.

40. Saeed Al Khalidi, from Dubai, first to obtain the title of best global horse racing coach.

41. Maryam Al Awadi, first female journalist.

42. Dr Rasheed Al Hammadi, first to obtain a doctoral degree in human anatomy and cell biology.

43. Abeed Al Shahi, first to specialise in sign language.

44. Ahmed Ahmed Ali, from Dubai, first blind teacher.