Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Nafis Award serves as a motivator for Emirati talents to continue their strides in their respective vocations, according to the awardees.
The award honours outstanding establishments that support Emiratisation, recognises national talents who have succeeded in their roles in the private and banking sectors, and fosters a culture of excellence and competition among citizens in the labour market.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, on Tuesday honoured the winners of the second edition of Nafis Award 2023-2024.
In conversation with Aletihad, three young Emirati winners of the award shared their journey and excitement with the recognition.
Saddeiqah Aldhuhoori, a nurse with seven years of experience, including five years in the government sector and two years in the private sector, said the award is "a huge honour and a humbling experience".
"It makes me incredibly proud to be recognised for my contributions to private healthcare. Having His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed recognise me gives me a lot of motivation to work even harder, achieve more, and be a role model for my colleagues," Aldhuhoori, who currently works at a rehabilitation hospital in Abu Dhabi, said.
Initiatives like the Nafis Award encourage Emirati talents by acknowledging their hard work and dedication, inspiring them to strive for excellence and contribute positively, she added.
Aldhuhoori noted that she intends to make use of this recognition to inspire Emirati healthcare professionals to excel and enhance patient care, emphasising the importance of strong work ethics, patient understanding, continuous learning, and a passion for nursing.
She also has a word of encouragement to young Emiratis: "Believe in yourself, set ambitious goals, and keep learning. See challenges as opportunities to grow and always prioritise integrity, empathy, and professionalism in your work."
For Aisha Alkindi, winning the award is a recognition of hard work, dedication, and innovative contributions to the engineering industry.
Alkindi holds a master's degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Arizona and specialises in design and energy conservation.
She is currently employed at AFE Contracting LLC.
"Winning the NAFIS award feels incredibly rewarding and validating. The achievement fosters a sense of pride, accomplishment, and motivation to continue excelling in the field. Especially with the attendance of His Highness Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it made it extra special for us as winners," Alkindi said.
She received recognition from the company on several occasions, the most recent of which was being named Employee of the Year 2023.
Alkindi highlighted continuous learning, strong networks, mentorship, soft skills, innovation, strong work ethic, making use of opportunities, and staying connected with industry trends as key ingredients for success.
Also speaking to Aletihad is Hamad Al Shehhi, a seasoned rail professional, who currently serves as Senior Train Controller at Keoli MHI "Winning the Nafis Award is truly an honour and a validation of the hard work and dedication I have put into my career.
It is a humbling experience to be recognised among such esteemed peers from 5,000 nominees.
This award is a testament to our great leaders who continuously support aspiring Emiratis across all fields of work, which motivates me to continue striving for excellence in everything I do," Al Shehhi said.
He attributes the success of the private sector to a strong work ethic, innovation, relationship building, continuous value delivery, and a culture of learning.
"My journey to winning the Nafis Award has been marked by years of determination, continuous learning, and a consistent pursuit of excellence.
I have faced numerous challenges along the way, but each obstacle has only fueled my determination to succeed.
This is largely due to the support I have had and continue to have from my organisation (Keolis MHI), with their dedication to nurturing talent and providing a platform for development with a pool of global expertise," he continued. Al Shehhi also shared a career moment that led to his nomination.
"One pivotal career moment that led to my nomination for the Nafis Award was the ability to remain calm under pressure. The tools that Keolis MHI equipped me with have been instrumental in allowing me to maintain my poise even during challenging times."
"My message to young Emirati professionals aspiring for success in the private sector is to believe in yourself, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and never underestimate the power of hard work and determination."
