Tadweer Announces Winners of Abu Dhabi Schools Competition

Contest Drew Participation of 100 Students from 42 Public and Private Schools in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 21 January, 2014 - Tadweer (Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi), has announced the winners of Abu Dhabi Schools Competition that was launched in the middle of November 2013 in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC). The competition received an unprecedented number of entries and registered 100 participants from 42 public and private schools across the emirate.

The competition evaluated school students on best waste management practices in three categories: Best drawing of any type of waste, best model made out of recycled waste and best photograph relating to school waste in Abu Dhabi.

The art work submitted by Saeed Matar Al Ahbabi from Al Resalah School in Al Ain won the first place in best drawing category, while the second place went to Ameera Ahmad Hasan from Al Iman Private School in Abu Dhabi City and the third place to Mona Seif Al Dhaheri from Al Raqia School in Al Ain.

In best model category, Rima Makdi Nanni from Rosary School in Abu Dhabi city won top honours, while Baana Lua Al Kurdi from Al Dhafra School in Al Ain and Mazyona Mohamed from Al Wathba Government School achieved second and third place.

In the best photograph category, Rawda Al Dhaheri from Al Hanin School in Abu Dhabi secured the first place, while Ayesha Ali Abdullah Al Hamadi from Al Shumookh Secondary School in the Western Region and Sathya Vurthan from Emirates Future Academy International School in Abu Dhabi were placed second and third.

The competition aimed to encourage student participation in activities that promoted a positive engagement among the younger generation, while enhancing their sense of responsibility towards society and the environment. It also sought to attract students to various environmental initiatives and programs that would lead to better environmental awareness, sustainable development and eventually access to a safer environment.

His Excellency Eisa Saif Al Qubaisi, General Manager of Tadweer His Excellency Eisa Saif Al Qubaisi, General Manager of Tadweer (Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi), said: “The idea of organizing this competition stems from our keenness to promote sustainable development in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and make students aware of their vital role in environment conservation. We received a significant number of entries that reflected the amazing creative and artistic flair of these students. Picking three winners was not an easy task given the high quality of the entries. We congratulate the winners and wish all participants the very best in their future endeavors.”

Al Qubaisi added: 'At Tadweer, we seek to leverage our strategic partnerships and contribute effectively to various community activities that encourage collaboration with organizations and stakeholders working towards environment protection. I thank our partners from the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), as well as parents and teachers from schools across Abu Dhabi for their interest, support and engagement with the ideas presented by the competition. In encouraging and motivating students to participate in the competition, they have played a key role in honing the creativity of these youngsters and making them environmentally responsible individuals.'

His Excellency Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of School Operations at ADEC, commended the outstanding performance of the students in the competition noting that ADEC has provided ongoing support in creating an attractive learning environment that improves students' creative skills and innovative thinking. He added that such events promote a healthy competitive spirit among students, and open up new windows of opportunities to unlock their talents in creative ways and raise eco-awareness.

Engineer Hani Hosni, Director of Strategy and Business Development Sector at Tadweer, said: 'We have always been keen to increase environmental awareness and support behavioral changes among students by encouraging them to come up with innovative ways to protect the environment, such as this competition which comes as part of Tadweer's strategic plan and objectives. Our aim is to create a generation that is aware of its vital role in protecting environment and supporting eco systems in order to achieve a balanced and sustainable development for our nation.'

Nada Khamis, head of the jury panel, said: 'We thank the efforts of panel members for their role and the highest standards of accuracy and transparency applied in the selection process. We hope this great start will help encourage such collaborations and allow competitions of this nature to be organized on an annual basis.'

Father of Saeed Matar Al Ahbabi, who won the first prize in best drawing category, commented on his son's achievement: “Saeed started his obsession with drawing since he was a child, and we have always supported and encouraged him to improve his drawing skills and further develop his hobby. His participation in this wonderful competition by Tadweer is a reflection of his interest in the preservation of environment and nature.”

Rima Makdi Nanni, first prize winner in best model category, commented: “I would like to thank Tadweer for this competition; the idea of my art piece is part of my keenness to protect environment and benefit from recycled materials in every possible way. It wouldn't have come true without the unlimited support of my family, school and one of my friends in particular.”

Rawda Al Dhahiri, first prize winner in best photograph category, said: “I have been involved in the hobby of photography since my childhood. I have been particularly interested in photographing subjects associated with nature. My family encourages me to develop my hobby and participate in such competitions. I will not forget the great support I received from my English teacher.”

The jury panel was chaired by Tadweer and consisted of representatives from various government entities including Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), Abu Dhabi Media represented by Al Ittihad Newspaper, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development. The winners were selected based on the recommendations of the jury as well as their compliance with the terms and conditions of the competition.

Tadweer is the primary government entity responsible for all activities related to the development, collection, maintenance, transportation, and processing of waste in safe, efficient and economical ways. Tadweer applies sustainable and integrated systems on par with best global standards to ensure quality waste management services in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.