HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, has congratulated over 2,000 students who graduated from UAE University (UAEU) on Tuesday.

The students were a part of the 40th cohort of undergraduate and postgraduate students in Al Ain, under the patronage of the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to WAM.

Sheikh Mohammed gave a speech to the 2,294 graduates via video, sharing the message that they all have bright futures ahead of them, also acknowledging the current COVID-19 pandemic as a “temporary situation”.

“I assure you that I know the students of UAEU and their potential, and I know some of its graduates who now hold senior and prominent positions in the country’s ministries and authorities,” he said. “My sons and daughters, you are shaping the future, and what we are going through now is temporary.”

He encouraged all the UAEU graduates to keep their heads held high and to be hopeful about the future.

“Be optimistic, the future will be better and your country is great and will be greater day after day,” he added. “We have not and will not stop, as the UAE is great due to the graduates who are building the nation. I wish you luck and success.”

Last week, His Highness congratulated another Emirati graduate, whom he had met years ago.

The Ruler of Dubai, who first met student Fatima Ahmad Bin Bakhit Al Nuaimi in 2016, posted the sweet message on Twitter.

“I had laid a kiss on my daughter’s head in 2016 as she ranked first at the state level in the reading challenge,” His Highness said. “Yesterday, my daughter Fatima Al Nuaimi graduated from Abu Dhabi New York University with distinction.

“Congratulations. The country flourishes with you, thrives in reading and rises with knowledge.”

– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.

Images: Sheikh Mohammed Twitter