Held annually in conjunction with International Women’s Day, The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute, have announced the winners of 11th Middle East Women Leaders Awards 2012, at Armani Hotel Dubai on March 8, 2012 at a glittering ceremony in presence of H.E Reeem Al Hashemi UAE Minister of State to honor exceptional women leaders from different sectors for their outstanding achievements in their fields.
The top award of Middle East Woman Personality of the Year, 2012, was awarded to H.H Princess Ameerah Al Taweel, Wife of His Royal Highness Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Al Saoud, and Vice President Al Waleed Bin Talal Foundation and presented by the guest of honor H.E. Reem Al-Hashim, UAE Minister of State.
Mr. Ali Al Kamali, Managing Director, Middle East Excellence Awards Institute, said: “Since time immemorial, women have been playing a significant role in contributing to the development of humankind. The objective of the Middle East Women’s Achievement Awards is to recognize women and their organizations in the Middle East, who have made significant contributions to the development of regional society. The characteristics that are marked for appreciation include ingenious ideas, value addition to the organization, adaptation of new technology, enhancing performance in trying business and industrial situations, etc.”
The awards recognize and encourage the grit and determination of these women, who have conquered the odds and have reached challenging positions in diverse areas like Business, Government, Industry, Education and other related fields. He added that H.H Princess Ameerah Al Taweel is a good example of women’s leadership who supports a wide range of humanitarian interests regionally and globally through the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation. Her work is dedicated to supporting programs and projects aimed at poverty alleviation, disaster relief, interfaith dialogue, and women’s empowerment.
She has become one of the most prominent pillars which are made in raising the cultural level of the modern digital economy, towards women empowerment, especially to the younger generation to acquire knowledge in the modern concepts with her forward thinking and compassionate and nuanced approach to revolution. Her self-described approach to reform is one of “evolution not revolution” and it is this positive and determined perspective that defines her view of the future of her country. Her humanitarian and philanthropic efforts spread wide globally.
H.H Princess Ameerah Al Taweel then took a few moments to give an inspiring speech. She thanked Middle East Excellence Institute for choosing her as the Women Personality of the year 2012. She highlighted her achievements and efforts towards the empowerment of women in Saudi Arabia and in the region. She dedicated the award to all women leaders who deserve to be recognized on the international women’s day and don’t get due recognition and media spotlight for their work and achievements.
The awards ceremony followed by lunch in honor of distinguished women and was attended by distinguished women leaders from all over the World.
Successfully organized in the past several years; the conference was able to raise awareness among women professionals on women’s role in 21st century and information on how to effectively run their business and professional careers. It further recognizes the achievements of several path breaking women from the region and encourages other women to learn from their experiences. It provides an environment conducive to the exchange of views, discussion, healthy argument and face-to-face networking among women leaders of the region.
The winners of the 2012, 11th Middle East Women Leaders Awards were:
Women Personality of the Year Award 2012– H.R.H Princess Ameerah Al Taweel, Wife of His Highness Royal Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Al Saoud, Vice President Al Waleed Bin Talal Foundation
Corporate Management Woman CEO Excellence Award: Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Assistant Director-General, The Executive Office
Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Mrs. Sonia Al Hashimi, Chariperson, UAE Down Syndrone Association
Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Mrs. Afra Al Basti, Director General for Dubai, Foundation for Women and Children
Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Mrs. Fawziah A. Alhani, Social development & Women empowerment center, Founder & Manager
Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Naima Abdel-Rahman Al-Zamil, Society President Dr. Charity
Best Organization for Women Talents Development – General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training- Received by Dr. Muneerah Sulimana Al-Aloula, Deputy Governor for Girls training
Best Organization for Women Talent Development – American University of Sharjah, received by Dr. Thomas Hochstettler – Provost, American University of Sharjah
Woman in Knowledge Management Excellence Award – Dr. Asmae El Koutbi – UAE, President of UAE Geography Association
Women in Medicine and Science Research Excellence Award – Dr. Marwa Bint Muhammad Al- Bakri
Women in Oil Industry Excellence Award – Dr. Meena Marafie, Manager Petroleum Refining Department at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
Women Pilot Excellence Award: CAPTAIN KALINA COMENHO Emirates Airline
Women Pilot Excellence Award: Salma Al Beloushi Etihad Airways, Etihad’s first Emirati female pilot
Woman in ICT Development Excellence Award: Mrs. Iman Al-Humeidan Assistant General Secretary Kuwait Awqaf
Woman in Engineering and Architecture Excellence Award: Ms. Nadia Bakhurji, First Saudi Lady Architect, Secretary General of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation
Women Poets and Writers Excellence Award: Dr. Thuraya al Arrayed, Arab thought leader, Poet & writer
Women in Film Production Excellence Awards: Haifaa Al-Mansour, Saudi Producer
