H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, President of Dubai Health Authority and Patron of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance, opened 12th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness, held from July 14th to July 18th 2012, with participation of 270 experts from 42 countries at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

 

In his inaugural speech, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "We are extremely proud that UAE hosts that major international conference especially at a time when education is witnessing a dynamic development movement in our region."

 

"Topics and themes discussed in the conference will constitute a unique opportunity to enrich the nascent plans of the educational systems, evaluated their projects, and qualify their giftedness programs, especially the ones that target students with special needs" H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Said.

 

"The participation of such great specialists in the conference reflects the common deep believe of inevitability of cooperation and partnerships team spirit in the field of gifted education", H.H. added. 

The Opening Ceremony was attended by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Malaysian prime minister's wife, Jiang Shi, Chairman of Asian-Pacific Federation on Giftedness, Humaid Mohamed Obaid Al Qutami, UAE Minister of Education and Chairman of Board of Trustees of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for the Distinguished Academic Performance, Dr. Gamal Al-Muhairi, the Award's Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Secretary General in addition to a number of ministers of education from the Arab and Gulf countries and thousands of specialists from all over the world.