ABU DHABI. 2nd May 2023. (WAM).- The Abu Dhabi University (ADU), College of Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with Emirates Autism Society and Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, honoured the winners of its seventh “Arts for Autism Competition”.
Over 160 pieces of art were submitted by students from the UAE. There was no theme. ADU’s campus lit up blue in honor of Autism Awareness Month. ADU students also participated in awareness-raising initiatives, such as an Autism Spectrum Disorder symposium with more than 230 attendees.
Ghassan Al-Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said that it was important to make sure that no one gets left behind in the face of the global challenges and unprecedented changes that are currently taking place. He said that, as educators, their goal is to empower subsets of the autism community to express themselves. The “Arts for Autism Competition” reflects this commitment to diversity.
Aouad thanked the Ministry of Education for its support, as well as the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and the Emirates Autism Society, who all worked hard to make the event successful.
Huda Ibrahim al Khamis, founder of Abu Dhabi Culture and Arts Group expressed her satisfaction with the partnership between ADU and the organisation of the annual drawing contest, which reflects the sustainable programme “Culture of Determination : Together for Integrity.”
Participants from various institutions participated in the competition, including Dubai Autism Centre and Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities. Other participants included Mayoor Private School Abu Dhabi and Maplewood Canadian International School. The competition also included Masarat Centre for Development and Empowerment (all campuses), Al Ain Centre for Care and Rehabilitation (all campuses), Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
The competition ended with two groups of winning teams representing two age categories, six to eleven years old and twelve to 25 years.
In the category of six to eleven years old, Khalil Al Amr Ibrahim barakat, from Dubai Autism Centre, and Srishti sarkar, from Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, took first and second places, respectively. Amira Al Ronas Al Derai, from Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination – Al-Qua Centre for Care and Rehabilitation, received second. Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil Al Hosani, from Sharjah City Humanitarian Services- Khorfakkan Branch, also won third place.
Ghena Qdaih, from Maplewood Canadian International School, won the category for 12-25 years. Shaima Abdullah, from Masarat Centre for Development and Empowerment, came in second. Mohammed Khalid Al Shamsi, from Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination-Al Ain Autism Centre, took third place. The jury also awarded several artworks.
