ABU DHABI // We have made so much progress – but the best is yet to come.
That’s the feeling of students across the UAE who are instilled with a desire to give something back to the country that has invested so much in their futures.
Qayed Al Mosaabi, 23, a fourth- year civil engineering student at the Higher Colleges of Technology, promised to do everything he could to help the country become one of the best in the world.
“Our efforts are very small but if every Emirati determines to contribute to the country it will be a great asset,” he said.
“I’ll do whatever I can. Our country is poised to be one of five best Governments in the world by 2030 and I want to be a part in its development.”
Khalifa University student Khalid Rashid Kayoumi, is studying mechanical engineering and was also determined to serve.
“The government has provided us with facilities for higher education so ultimately we have to serve it, otherwise what is the use of our qualifications? That’s what I’ll do,” he said.
However, not all students go to college straight from school. Some have jobs but were returning to improve their skills.
Kholod Al Rumaithi, 32, works with a government body but this year enrolled on a bachelor of business administration degree at Abu Dhabi University.
She also planned to do a doctorate and appreciates the investment made in her education.
“The government has spent billions on our education and we have to pay them back in terms of our service. I will continue to work for the nation and that is what I can best offer my dear country,” she said.
National Day also provided a chance to tell the world and expatriates about the traditions and culture of the UAE.
“The progress we made over the years after the unification of the Emirates is noteworthy. The feeling of being united and being one is great. So we mark the day with a series of fun-filled activities at home inviting relatives and friends,” said Ms Al Rumaithi.
“In fact, on the day, we would also like to showcase our culture and traditions to the outside world and to residents from different cultures who live here.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Bashayer Al Marzooqi, a 21-year-old aerospace engineering student at Khalifa University.
“The National Day is everything to me. I feel pride indulging in decorations and traditional performances,” she said.
“On the day, I want to send a message to expatriates and tourists about our culture and traditions,” Ms Al Marzooqi said.
“Yes, I am indebted to the country which spent millions on us and I would pay the community back by offering my services to it after finishing my studies,” said Ms Al Marzooqi.
The UAE was not just investing in education, it was also providing career guidance and opening up opportunities in the public and private sector for all Emiratis.
According to the National Statistics Bureau, there are about 20,000 Emiratis in the private sector, out of more than four million workers, compared with 225,000 Emiratis in the public sector.
Hind Al Ameri, 22, is going to graduate with a bachelor in environmental science from Abu Dhabi University in December.
“I plan to join any agency related to the environmental science. The country has been looking for more people having expertise in the field, so I think I have a chance in this area,” Ms Al Ameri said.
“I can serve the nation by applying what I already studied. I can give back to the nation by working,” added Ms Al Ameri, who is set to pursue her masters abroad after getting a couple of years experience in the UAE.
Sara Salem bin Othman, 22, a first year IT student at Abu Dhabi University’s Al Ain campus, was also thinking of studying abroad.
But like so many of her peers, she will return after getting international experience to help the UAE to a bright future.
She said: “When we see the difference the UAE has been through in the past 42 years, we know for sure the best is on its way and it has yet to come. We hope to be part of it.”
anwar@thenational.ae
MATCH INFO
Alaves 1 (Perez 65' pen)
Real Madrid 2 (Ramos 52', Carvajal 69')
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
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SPECS
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Company%20Profile
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The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
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The%20specs
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70')
Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
HAJJAN
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km