“Who will win the million?” prize announced at Taiz celebration [Archives:2008/1122/Reportage]
By: Abdulqawi Sha'lan
For Yemen Times
Shawqi Al-Qadhi, chairman of Yemen's National Organization for Developing Society, or NODS, has announced that all Yemeni students – both male and female – are eligible for the “Who will win the million?” prize to be awarded in 2009.
There will be three winners nationwide, with the most important criteria being that a student be designated as outstanding from first grade through high school. First prize is YR 1 million, followed by YR 500,000 for second and YR 250,000 for third.
The future prize's announcement came during a celebration honoring 550 outstanding Taiz governorate students achieving above a 90-percent average in elementary, high school, vocational and special education.
The large number of attendees at the event held at Taiz Tourist Club included students' parents and supporters, parliamentarians, media personnel and those from civil society organizations. Joy and happiness prevailed at the scene, reflecting the eagerness of Taizi citizens to attain the highest positions and make creativity come alive in that region again.
The nation's hope
Al-Qadhi went on to say that Yemen's top students are its hope because it is they who will create an awakening and progress, but that such outstanding students require care and training before they can contribute to their society.
“A people's renaissance is based on its creative minds and youth; whereas, the backwardness of a nation is due to its people's ignorance. The purpose of this celebration first is to draw public attention to the brilliant segment of its society and then to pay tribute and appreciate what they've achieved, presenting them symbolic gifts as a token of love,” Al-Qadhi further noted.
Opportunities still exist
The reality of education in Yemen – its policies, curricula and administration, besides other institutional components – requires a strong viewpoint in order to evaluate and revise it. Opportunities still exist, as education supporters are many and they can do something to rescue education from deterioration.
Al-Qadhi went on to note that now is the second specialization round, which requires more effort and planning by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in order to lead these outstanding students to the proper specializations according to their desires and abilities.
He maintained that the private sector must be engaged in this regard in order to support those students who don't receive scholarships to be staged at Taiz's Al-Shuhadaa' Stadium.
Honoring student diligence
Taiz Deputy Governor Mohammed Abdulmalik Al-Hayajem remarked at the event, “Honoring our top students is a way to encourage them to develop their talents and abilities so as to contribute to society.”
Numerous speeches cited the outstanding students' diligence as both fruitful and rewarding.
For a better tomorrow
Anisah Dokem, director of NODS outstanding students program, stated that because the program is for everybody, it must be supported so that it can continue achieving prosperity and progress for Yemen through such students.
Dokem expressed her happiness stemming from the hopes pinned on these students, noting that their persistence and good performance ensure that those hopes will be achieved, as well as creating a better tomorrow.
“Yemeni society is waiting for these outstanding students to contribute by joining our program to support their counterparts, who will come later,” she added, further calling on outstanding male and female students to enroll in training courses funded by her program.
An imposing occasion
Mohammed Abdulkarim, an outstanding student with a 96 average, gave a speech describing the celebration as “an imposing occasion” seeking to encourage outstanding and creative minds, as well as promote a progressively creative atmosphere.
He further noted, “Being an outstanding student requires four things: seeking God's help, having an attitude determining whether to be or not to be, participating in school activities and competitions and finally, the family, which plays a vital role in shaping students by providing them a proper study environment.”
Matchless gratitude
With an estimated 97 average and coming in fourth nationwide at the elementary level, Wafa'a Mustafa said on behalf of herself and her friends that they are unable to do as much as the program has done for them, highlighting that the organization “did a wonderful job and will be the guide to a better future.”
Efforts coming to fruition
Nada A. Salem Al-Shurmani, who has an estimated 95 average, indicated that her and her fellow students' struggles and persistence finally came to fruition, attributing this to their parents' efforts as well.
She called on all official parties to open and make ways for creative minds to contribute to Yemen's prosperity, as well as to make their aspirations and dreams come true via rehabilitation and training through continuous support of NODS outstanding students program.
Teacher care
On behalf of Hayel Sa'eed Anam Group, Zaid Al-Nihari, who is in charge of media for the group, delivered a speech addressing the issues of looking after teachers and how to improve the nation's education process.
Additionally, he urged NODS to register all of Yemen's outstanding students nationwide, including them in the president's program which cares about youths and creative minds. He further expressed his group's willingness to continue supporting Taiz's outstanding students.
No wonder Yemen has outstanding students
On behalf of participants and attendees from Saudi Arabia, education supporter Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ghamadi commented, “It's no wonder Yemen has outstanding students because, after all, it is the country of wisdom.”
Additionally, he affirmed that the celebration was exceptional due to its good turnout and the presence of the attendees. He implored the outstanding students not to stop learning once they receive their certificates but rather to continue obtaining knowledge in order to serve their community.
Likewise, the sheikh advised parents and teachers to do their proper jobs and duty toward their children and students.
At the celebration's conclusion, rewards and prizes were presented to those outstanding students for academic year 2006-2007. Prizes included 13 computers donated by the event's main sponsor NODS. Other sponsors were the Cooperative and Agricultural Credit (CAC) Bank, Yemen Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Tadhamon Islamic Bank.
Outstanding advice
With a 92 average, E'traf A. Mahmoud of Al-Wahda School in Wahdan said her feelings were indescribable and dedicated her outstanding academic performance to her elder brother. Regarding her program of study, she schedules time daily.
She and her friend Amar Muqbal, also with a 92 average, further asserted that neither chew qat frequently, advising their peers not to chew qat, to work independently and not to cheat on exams.
Amin Sarhan, who achieved a 95 average, attributed his good high school performance to scheduling his afternoon time. Furthermore, he doesn't believe that staying up late at night or drinking energy drinks stimulates him to study more.
With a 96 average, Za'ed Sultan asserted that relying on God and having self-confidence are two reasons for being an outstanding student, thanking his family members who helped him a lot. Further, Sultan advised his fellow future students to stop cheating because it creates worry and anxiety, which lead to failure.
Ghadeer M. Mohsen of Asma'a School said, “I dedicate my outstanding performance to my parents, who stood by me all the time,” and further advised her not to copy off of others in her exams because cheating corrupts the mind and science as well.
Indescribable joy
Finishing her elementary education with a 93 average, Fatma M. Al-Kamali said her joy was indescribable and thanked God, who allowed her to be among the outstanding students.
Observing his daughter being photographed, Mohammed Al-Kamali expressed his proud feelings by asking God to save and grant Yemen more outstanding and talented students in order to keep pace with modern civilization.
Thanks be to God
Abdulrahman S. Al-Majeedi, the top student at Taiz University's Law College , said, “Thanks to God and my parents, who facilitated the ways of success. I dedicate this success to Yemen, to the National Organization for Developing Society and the Hayel Sa'eed Anam Group, which supported us,” further advising students that scheduling their time is the best way to perform well.
With a 96 average, Hanadi D. Muqbal of Zaid Al-Mushaki School noted that she'd been outstanding since her childhood and dedicated her success to her mother, who helped her a lot. She exhorted her fellow students to depend on God and exert more effort.
Outstanding Iraqi
Wedd F. Sha'ban, an Iraqi student with a 96 average, noted that NODS honored her when she completed her elementary education. She dedicated her success to her family and to the Iraqi people, asking God to rescue her homeland.
Dedicating success to Yemen
With a 92 average, Rashid S. Muthana of Al-Tawfiq School said he was extremely happy, maintaining that only outstanding students who exert effort will realize meaning from such diligence and performance. Like other honorees, he also advised students to refrain from cheating.
Brilliance is a wonderful thing Nesreen Shukri, who has a 93 average, urged Yemeni students to depend on God and follow a scheduled program of study, beginning at dawn.
Shihab Rawhan thanked God and also NODS, adding that “Brilliance is a wonderful thing in life!”
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