Canadian University Dubai celebrates Class of Thank You Sheikha Hind at 14th graduation ceremony
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has staged its 14th graduation ceremony at Dubai World Trade Centre, celebrating the achievements of the class of 2025 and honoring the national Thank You Sheikha Hind campaign. The convocation was held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who awarded certificates to the 500 graduates.
This year's graduating class drew its name and inspiration from the initiative launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to pay tribute to Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. The ceremony also acknowledged the UAE Year of Community and Sheikha Hind's leadership in advocating the values of social unity, compassion, education, and family.
The graduation conferred degrees across the university's five schools of Management; Engineering, Applied Science and Technology; Architecture and Interior Design; Communication and Creative Industries; and Health Sciences and Psychology. Presiding over the ceremony were Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, University chancellor and chair of the University Board of Trustees; Professor Karim Chelli, president and vice-chancellor; alongside other members of the Canadian University Dubai Board of Trustees. The University Mace was carried by John Baird, and the event welcomed distinguished guests, Charles Falzon, dean of The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University and Dr Hossam Hassanein, professor and director of the School of Computing at Queen's University.
In his graduation address, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan paid tribute to the leadership of the UAE, saying: "This graduation ceremony serves as a reminder of the continued progress and unwavering commitment to excellence demonstrated by Canadian University Dubai. It stands today as a leading model of a prestigious institution that serves its students, society, and humanity at large; an institution that actively contributes to the advancement and prosperity of the UAE's knowledge-based society. Today's celebration is also a tribute to the visionary leadership of our nation and their steadfast support for higher education institutions across the UAE. It reflects our shared pride in the UAE's journey of growth and development, a nation that strides confidently toward the future, grounded in unity between its people and its leadership, and founded on stability, security, and a deep investment in education and human development."
Al Ghandi expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Nahyan for his guidance and leadership in promoting excellence in higher education and spoke about the foundations of the UAE as a catalyst for ambition and progress. He said, "UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have created a country and a platform for inclusion and tolerance; a country where dreams can come true if you commit the effort. Canadian University Dubai is a reflection of that, we needed the UAE leadership to make this a success."
Addressing the Class Thank You Sheikha Hind, Professor Chelli said: "With your academic knowledge, and the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that this university has instilled, you now have the power to shape the future. Do not be afraid to dream big. Whatever path you choose, I urge you to move forward with courage and ambition; play your part in building a future of peace, coexistence and coprosperity. Do not only dream of seeking a job, but aspire to be job creators."
Delivering the speech on behalf of the students was MBA graduate, Jummah Buti Al Ghandi. He said: "Our degrees are not the end, they are the beginning. They're not just certificates; they are keys. But it's up to us to use them. To open new doors. To question boldly. To build what doesn't yet exist. And to leave things better than we found them."
"Let's remember, what's next will demand even more. More courage, more adaptability, and more purpose. The world moves faster than you think, and what's ahead belongs to those who respond to change first. So, let's meet that future together," he concluded.
The graduation ceremony also featured a moving cultural tribute celebrating Sheikha Hind. In a heartfelt homage to her legacy, the event included a special performance of the poem Ya Hind, written by Sheikha Fatima bint Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Poet of the Nation. The poem was brought to life in a powerful rendition by acclaimed Emirati artist Hamad Al Ameri.
This performance echoed the emotional resonance of the 2001 verses by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who wrote 'Enti Mithl Ma Enti, Ghala El Koun Killo' – 'You are, as you are, the dearest in the universe' – in admiration. Years later, in 2015, Sheikha Fatima concluded her poem 'Ya Hind' with the very same line, underscoring the timeless affection and reverence for Sheikha Hind.
In recognition of Sheikha Hind's gracious acceptance to name this cohort in her honour, Canadian University Dubai proudly presented the performance as a tribute to her lasting impact, her embodiment of compassion and unity, and her unwavering commitment to empowering future generations. The ceremony also featured a special poetic performance by renowned Emirati poet Al-Mayidiya Rayana Al-Oud, whose verses beautifully captured the spirit of pride, unity, and celebration, adding a cultural depth to the occasion.
The CUD Awards also formed part of the proceedings, to recognise the talent and achievements of the university's faculty and support teams across various academic and engagement activities.
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The competition, as a whole, represents a comprehensive community initiative that consolidates the values of coexistence and belonging, strengthens national identity, and highlights inspiring stories, positive community practices, and achievements that express the spirit and values of this cooperates with educational, cultural, and media institutions, in addition to federal, local, and private institutions, so this initiative could promote the UAE values among children and the youth. It also empowers residents and supports talents and community initiatives, so they become true partners in the process of comprehensive community the ministry and the fund are implementing an intensive programme at cultural centres, youth centres, and other gathering places across the country, in coordination with the Ministries of Culture and Youth. This programme aims to deepen the principles of participation and patriotism, and to strengthen the bonds of cooperation for the good of all in this country. You focus your initiatives on strengthening national identity and the culture of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity. How can your message reach the community, and why is this important? We firmly believe that strengthening national identity and a culture of tolerance are not just slogans, but interconnected actions that begin with awareness and end with building a cohesive society that takes pride in its history and embraces its diversity. 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And what are your expectations from it? The "My UAE Story" competition is a vibrant portrait of a cohesive society that cherishes its national identity and embodies the best humanitarian principles. It stems from our deep belief that every individual in this nation has a story worth telling, and that these stories, no matter how simple, reflect the spirit of the Union and highlight the values upon which the UAE was built: tolerance, respect, openness, and pride in goal with this competition is to provide all members of society with the opportunity to express their human and living experience in the UAE, whether they are citizens or residents. We want to hear from students, mothers, professionals, creatives, and everyone who has contributed to building this land or been influenced by it. We expect this initiative to receive widespread interaction, given the free space it represents for expression and the emotional and national dimensions it hope that these contributions will create a living and diverse archive of the UAE's image in the eyes of its residents, and that they will contribute to consolidating the meanings of pride and belonging, and serve as a source of inspiration for each other and for future generations. The initiative is a joint effort between the Ministry and the Fund. Are there other partnerships contributing to the organisational efforts behind the initiative? An initiative of this scale and ambition cannot rely solely on the efforts of one entity, or even several. From the beginning, we were committed to ensuring that the "My UAE Story" competition would be a comprehensive community that end, we built effective partnerships with a range of national institutions across various sectors. We will collaborate with all ministries and institutions, federal and local governments, community organisations, and the private sector, and the impact of these efforts will be evident in the next are also eager to involve local authorities in every emirate, along with civil society organisations and creative and artistic institutions, because we believe that this initiative belongs to everyone and must reach everyone. We open the door to every institution to be part of the "My UAE Story" initiative - whether through support, participation or promotion. How does the "My UAE Story" initiative align with our wise leadership's vision for the Year of Community? Our wise leadership, represented by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, has placed great importance on the Year of Community as an opportunity to reinforce the human and social values that form the foundation of the UAE's strength and unity. We view the Year of Community call for all of us to play our part and take responsibility in achieving these our perspective, the "My UAE Story" competition was conceived as a living embodiment of this vision and aligns fully with its noble purpose. It aims to reach all members of society and highlight their experiences and contributions, capturing shared moments of coexistence across all competition serves as a platform that embraces everyone, inviting them to share their stories, achievements, and perspectives on life in the UAE and enhancing their sense of belonging and responsibility. It is not limited to documentation alone - it also opens the door to constructive community dialogue and stimulates creativity in expressing identity and diversity. This is fully in line with the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, which is based on the belief that society is the foundation of the future, and that a strong social fabric is a source of pride and stability for us in the UAE. Which social groups are eligible to participate in the "My UAE Story" competition? The initiative is open to everyone without exception. We welcome contributions from citizens and residents of all nationalities - young and old, students and teachers, employees and workers, artists and writers, even those who have never participated in a cultural activity want the initiative to reflect the full diversity of Emirati society. There are five age categories, starting from early childhood up to those aged over sixty. We were keen to ensure that there are no age, professional, or linguistic restrictions. The competition accepts entries in both Arabic and English, and in multiple forms of creative writing. Our goal is for each individual to find their own way of expressing their life in the UAE, whether through personal experiences, touching human stories, or moments they felt pride and honour living here. What are the main topics covered by the competition? And how can everyone participate, given its focus on linking values and history with the country's present, its renaissance, ambitions, and hopes? Is there a specific mechanism for participation? The "My UAE Story" competition addresses a wide range of themes, all centred on the values deeply rooted in our society, meaningful personal experiences, the bond between people and the country, individual and collective achievements, and stories that exemplify coexistence, cooperation, and addition, it focuses on topics such as personal success stories, tolerance and openness, family history in the UAE, everyday life in communities, schools and workplaces, cultural diversity, and moments that reflect the cohesive nature of Emirati society. These themes can be expressed through essays, articles, short stories, poetry, or other forms of expression in either Arabic or have ensured that participation is easy and offers multiple submission channels. Individuals can submit a written text via the competition's official website. We have put forward clear guidelines to ensure authenticity and ethical have also assigned technical and community support teams to assist those wishing to participate, especially students and senior citizens. The website we launched contains all the necessary information and answers to common queries. Above all, we aim to engage every member of the community. You launched the slogan "The Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence is a ministry that works with everyone for everyone". Similarly, your approach at Sandooq Al Watan aims to serve all segments of society. What roles do institutions - government, educational, private - play in supporting the competition? We firmly believe that social responsibility is not the sole duty of any particular entity, but rather a shared system where everyone works with everyone for everyone. Therefore, the role of government institutions is to encourage communities to engage with the "My UAE Story" competition by providing resources and creating opportunities for engagement - something we are achieving through close collaboration with private sector is a key partner that can support the initiative through sponsorship and by promoting it among employees and the wider community. Educational institutions, both university and pre-university, also play an important role in engaging students and faculty, turning the competition into an educational project that promotes a sense of national identity and cultural, and social clubs are community meeting points that can serve as ideal platforms for showcasing experiences and encouraging broad participation. Through your esteemed newspaper, we call upon all these organisations to be active contributors to the competition, as the "My UAE Story" initiative represents a collective story we are all writing together for the present and the future of this beloved nation, which embraces and provides them with every opportunity for success and excellence in various fields. Is there a role for traditional and digital media in this initiative? Media in all its forms, both traditional and digital, is a core partner in the "My UAE Story" competition, not just in terms of coverage, but in inspiring community have designed the initiative to be visible in the daily media space through the publication of entries, interviews, and the sharing of visual content that reflects Emirati values and social principles. The competition brings together all elements of our society to capture a unified image that embodies our unity, expresses our emotions, and documents our successes and stories that the UAE has embraced since its we heavily rely on our media colleagues, as they are key partners in this initiative, and indeed, one of our most important supporters. Traditional outlets - newspapers, radio, and TV - are essential for reaching digitally inactive groups. Digital platforms and social media allow us to connect with younger generations and creative voices, encouraging their active continue to build partnerships with national media institutions to produce dedicated content for the competition, driven by our belief that the media will help us amplify this social message and transform the initiative into a national movement. The "My UAE Story" competition serves as a testament to every individual in Emirati society, reflecting its nature, people, characteristics, and values. How do you plan to use these testimonies? Absolutely. We don't see the entries as fleeting works or creative writing that relies on affectation and artifice. Rather, we view them as living documents, human and historical testimonies that reflect the nature of Emirati society, its morals, the behaviour of its people, and its true plan is to categorise the entries thematically, chronologically and geographically, to serve as a foundation for producing creative and national work, whether through publications and books or through digitisation. This not only reflects the current moment, but also serves as a basis for research, education, and cultural also intend to turn the strongest submissions into cultural productions and short documentaries. We hope that these entries will serve as a source of inspiration for future generations and mirror the UAE through the lens of its people and residents, strengthening identity and ultimate aim is for these contributions to present an honest and authentic vision of Emirati society, expressed by all segments of society, both citizens and competition is open to everyone without exception. All each participant needs to do is to express their experience in the UAE in a manner that suits them, with honesty, responsibility, and positive feelings. Since "My UAE Story" is a celebration of the Year of Community, will it be limited to this year? Or can it continue in the future? The competition was indeed launched by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and Sandooq Al Watan in celebration of the Year of Community 2025, but its profound essence makes it viable for continuity and development in the coming simply hope the initiative resonates with the public, offering a rare opportunity for individuals to express themselves and their experiences. This kind of community participation should not be see it as the beginning of a sustainable national project, with the potential to become a regular feature of the Ministry and Sandooq Al Watan's annual activities. God willing, we will develop a strategic roadmap to transform "My UAE Story" into a permanent platform for capturing community life in the UAE, renewed annually with new topics and formats. This will become a living reference for the development of national identity and expressions of coexistence. This will depend on the success of the competition's first round, and God willing, it will deepen its reach and become an integral part of expressing modern Emirati identity.
