By Razan Elzubair
ABU DHABI — His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, announced March 12 several cabinet changes, including a change at the top in higher education.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, who has been the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for 23 years, will now head the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development. He will be replaced by His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, his younger brother. He had been the Minister of Public Works. Abdullah Al Nuaimi will take his place atop Public Works.
Sheikh Nahayan told The National newspaper that he will continue as President of Zayed University, as well as being chancellor of two other federal universities, “until further notice.”
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan, who was educated at Millfield School and at Magdalen College at Oxford University, both in England, is seen as a highly accessible leader by ZU students. He frequently visits campus and is seen in venues such as Esquires Cafe having tea and talking to students.
“I think the students are in good hands with Sheikh Hamdan,” said Shaikha Yahya Al Maskari, a graduate student in strategic public affairs at ZU in Abu Dhabi who has worked for the federal government. “They carry the same type of values.
“The other thing is that Sheikh Nahayan hasn’t gone away too far. He’s now responsible for youth. He is still going to constantly be in touch with youth.”
Undergraduate students at ZU-AUH think highly of Sheikh Nahayan.
“I really respect Sheikh Nahayan and always thought of him as a role model,” said Zainab Younes Al Belooki, president of the ZU-AUH Student Council. “He did an amazing job with ZU, HCT and UAEU and for higher education in general. Although I did not want him to leave, I strongly believe that whatever decision is taken by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is the right decision and I’m sure that Sheikh Nehyan will make the great contribution in his new ministry as he did for us.”
Miss Al Belooki said that Sheikh Nahayan was close to the students.
“Personally, I attended many events where I had direct contact with him and he was always intersted, willing to listen and always ready to help us as students,” she said. “He is so professional in his attitude and will always appreciate projects, innovation and events presented by us.”
Toni Briegel, an associate professor in the College of Education, spoke fondly of Sheikh Nahayan and his achievements as the nation’s top educator.
“I’ve always felt he really cared about education at Zayed University,” she said. “He maintained a presence on campus. How he did it with all of his other responsibilities, I have no idea. I have always had confidence that Sheikh Nahayan would support professors when we insisted upon receiving quality work from our students. Wasta never seemed to count with him when quality education was at stake.”
Dr. Briegel said Sheikh Nahayan’s legacy is immense.
“In the 12 years I have been here, I have seen the development of an education system in the UAE that is absolutely remarkable in its achievements,” she said. “As an educator, I cannot think of a more exciting place to have worked. It’s been pretty intense at times, but the vision of the leaders has never faltered. I guess I just want to thank him for helping make this part of my life so interesting.”
Sheikh Hamdan earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and administration from UAE University in 1982.
(Khadeeja Al Hosani also contributed to this story.)
This story was originally published on March 13, 2013. It was re-uploaded on Nov. 1, 2020. The photo that accompanied this story was lost due to the loss of the domain name
