Indian families get 'Distinguished Family' award in Dubai

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) "My father's motto in life has always stuck with me. He used to say: 'only givers get'. By that he meant if you give back to people your life will be enriched."

Speaking to Khaleej Times following the announcement of winners of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Awards for Distinguished Academic Performance Dr Sangeeth Ibrahim winner of the 'Distinguished Family Award' - one of only five families awarded (two Indian and three Arab) - said he accounts for only one quarter of the deserving win. "My wife Dr Sunayna Iqbal my 15-year-old son Amaan Iqbal Ibrahim and my 8-year-old daughter Jehan Ibrahim are behind the winning of this award."

His family was one of the 248 students teachers and educators awarded for contributions towards education. Co-founder of Dubai-based NGO 'Destination Success UAE' Indian expatriates Ibrahim and Iqbal founded the online support system back in 2013.

Described as a "unique platform that connects students parents and teachers to facilitate dialogues and induce creative tensions" Ibrahim said the key to better learning is collaboration.

"With the right motivation and support children will be more inclined to do well at school. We need to teach them how to revise how to listen."

Ibrahim and his wife have been teaching in schools across the UAE for more than 12 years free of charge. If a student is having difficulties or is struggling in class a school will schedule a session with the duo who will then come in and teach the troubled student.

"Looking at the academic scenario here only about five per cent of students do really well and a lot do just average. We think with the right support kids can do better. It is a question of will and skill" he said.

Ibrahim and Iqbal were nominated for the award by Our Own English High School Sharjah (Boys) and supported by Our Own English High Schhol Sharjah (Girls).

"Both of us are trainers and both of us want to give back to society. I think that's why we were nominated for this award."

Giving up many weekends to work with struggling students the duo - who both received PhD's last year - said they will continue their efforts towards better education.

"When I found out we won I shouted out of joy. I even took today off to celebrate with my three winners" he told Khaleej Times on Tuesday.

The Ibrahims won a prize money of Dh35000 and were one of two Indian families to win after a gap of several years. The second winner Vinodkumar Palayil Bhaskaran Pillai - nominated by The Millennium School Dubai - could not be reached on Tuesday.

Though Ibrahim said he will plan a little family vacation with the winning the majority will be donated to the UK charity 'Dig A Well'.

"It costs Dh700 to dig a well and each one helps support about 4 to 5 families. That is where a lot of the money will go."

Happy honoured

Vinod Kumar Pillai his wife Dr Sreelekha and children 17-year old Vimal V. Pillai and 13-year old Namitha Pillai are excited too for they too have won the Distinguished Family Award. Speaking to Khaleej Times of their family win Dr Sreelekha said it was mainly down to the efforts of her children.

"In 2013 my son won the student award and in 2015 my daughter won the student award too."

Describing the moment she found out her family were winners Dr Sreelekha said she felt "happy and honoured".

"We do a lot of social awareness work. We are working parents but we ensure our children know how important community work is."

Regularly volunteering with Dubai Cares Manzil Centre and Emirates Environment Group Dr Sreelekha said her children will continue to make her proud.

"With the winning money ... we will put it towards our children's future education fund."

A total of 248 out of 375 students teachers and educators won prize money in the 18th edition of the awards - an increase of two per cent compared to 2015.

The majority of the winners came from the Sharjah Education Zone with 67 winners from 97 applicants. Dubai Education Zone and Knowledge and Human Development Authority had 60 winners Abu Dhabi 40 Ajman eight and Umm Al Quwain two.

The majority of the winners (204) were students who applied for the distinguished student category.

Other categories included distinguished university student with 17 winners; distinguished teacher with nine winners; distinguished counselor with one winner; best implemented project with three winners; best scientific innovation with two winners; distinguished school with one winner; and institutions that support education with three winners. The winners will be honoured in an award ceremony on April 20.

Kelly Clarke Originally from the UK Kelly Clarke joined Khaleej Times in November 2012 as a reporter. She has a keen interest in humanitarian issues and loves to champion the efforts of local residents companies in offering aid and development assistance to both local and region-wide causes. She works mainly within the healthcare beat but regularly produces human interest features. In her spare to she loves to travel and regularly volunteers at Riding for the Disabled in Dubai. Kelly received her BA Honours in Journalism from Middlesex University UK in 2008. Before joining Khaleej Times she worked as a Supervising Editor for three Healthcare titles in London. KellyAnn_Clarke