The National Archives and Library celebrates award winners "The young historian" In its 16th edition

Abu Dhabi, 9 July / WAM / The National Archives and the National Library honored the winning students in the sixteenth session of the “Young Historian” Award for the academic year 2025-2026, which was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

The award in this edition comes in line with the “Year of the Family,” and within the framework of the National Archives and Library’s continuing efforts to consolidate national identity, develop students’ interest in scientific research in the fields of history and national memory, and embody the wise leadership’s approach to caring for humans, especially the young generation, as the true wealth and maker of the future.

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Archives and Library, stressed in his opening speech at the ceremony that the “Young Historian” Award has established its position as a pioneering national initiative and incubator for research talents, and a platform for preparing a generation that is aware of the history of its homeland, proud of its national identity, and believes that knowledge and scientific research represent the basis for the development process and building the future.

He said that celebrating the winners embodies the belief of the Archives and the National Library that investing in people is the most beneficial investment, and that developing students’ research and documentation skills contributes to preserving national memory and preserving the country’s civilizational and cultural heritage.

He added that the sixteenth session, which coincides with the Year of the Family, reflected an increasing awareness among students of the importance of the family in preserving cultural heritage and promoting the values ​​of belonging, cohesion and tolerance, in addition to their employment of scientific methodology and modern technologies, most notably the applications of artificial intelligence, which contributed to improving the quality of research and participating projects.

His Excellency urged the participating students to continue researching and writing, expressing the National Archives and Library’s aspiration to have researchers and historians among them who contribute to documenting the history of the UAE, enriching national knowledge, and preserving the nation’s legacy for future generations.

He appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee, the judging committee, the archive partners, the National Library in the Ministry of Education, the Department of Culture and Tourism, school administrations, teachers, supervisors and parents, praising the high level of participation and the quality of its outputs, stressing that this reflects the success of the award as a national project and the fruit of effective institutional partnerships.

For her part, Dr. Aisha Belkhair, Chairman of the Award’s Organizing Committee, confirmed that the research in which the winning students participated in the sixteenth session reflects the depth of the UAE’s civilization and the authenticity of its history, and embodies the generations’ pride in the nation’s heritage and their keenness to document, preserve, and pass it on to successive generations.

She said that the award contributes to developing the spirit of excellence among students and enhancing their awareness of the importance of preserving and sustaining the national heritage, noting that the wise leadership laid the foundations of a society based on the values ​​of science, culture and tolerance, until the UAE became a global model for peace and giving.

The “Young Historian” award targeted students in grades five through twelfth. The field of writing research was allocated to students in the third cycle from grades nine through twelfth, while students in the second cycle, from grades five through eight, participated in preparing reports that dealt with aspects of social, economic, or geographical life in the UAE.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the National Archives and the National Library honored the winning students in the award categories: Exceptional Award, Economic History, Emirati Studies, Geographic History, Oral History, and Social History.

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