The list of UAE Pioneers 2015 includes: 1.Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the First Foreign Minister and the First to broadcast the UAE Union Statement.

Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi is the first to read the historic statement of the founding of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. He then went on to become the first UAE Foreign Minister and was the most prominent adviser to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for several years until he was appointed as the personal representative of the UAE President.

Al Suwaidi was present at historical occasions and meetings with the various emirates before the Union, and he witnessed the founding of the United Arab Emirates, which today is a global destination thanks to its people and its wise leadership.

He is one of the national figures who contributed to the foundation of the UAE as well as contributing in culture, humanitarian issues and others.Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the UAE?s first Foreign Minister.

2- H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi: The First Arab to be elected in the Executive Committee of the International Publishers Association (IPA)She is the founder and CEO of Kalimat, a publishing house that specialises in publishing quality Arabic children?s books. She has made economic, cultural and social contributions within and outside the UAE, and supported young people by disseminating culture among them. Recently she won the title of ?Youth Global Leader?, awarded by the World Economic Forum annually for the young leaders who contribute to changes in their societies.

3- Juma Al Majid: The first Founder of a Writing Restoration Centre (Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage).

He is one the most prominent figures of culture, thought and charity in the UAE and the Arab world, and one of the pioneers of humanitarian and social work. He has contributed to the fields of economy, science and culture at various levels.

4 - Alia Al Kaabi: The first female prosecutorShe has a degree in Law and Sharia and graduated from UAE University in 2003. She joined the law sector and was the first Emirati woman to hold several positions. She currently heads the Family Prosecution in Abu Dhabi.

5 - Abdullah Mohammed Al Buraiki: The first to work in the precision industryAbdullah Al Buraiki began his professional career in 2011 in the Tawazun Holding Company, which gave him the opportunity to work with them as an inspector of precision machines in appreciation for his high performance and advanced skills.

6 - Ali Mohamed Bujsaim: The first UAE international football refereeHe participated in a series of major international tournaments, including three tourments of the World Cup (1994, 1998, and 2002). During his long career, he proved his reputation as a world-class referee.

7- Dr. Hessa Abdullah Lootah: First female TV directorShe is one of the leading Emirati media personalities, and became the first Emirati female television director in 1983. She directed a number of diverse cultural programmes.

8 - Dr. Fatima Taher: The first innovator of an electronic system to help in early detection of lung cancerShe developed this diagnosis system in 2014, and has more than 14 research papers in this field. She currently works as Assistant Professor in Khalifa University, and also oversees the PhD students at the university.

9 - The late Ahmed Al Hamli: The first fighter pilotHe graduated as the first Emirati fighter pilot in 1973 and joined the Air Force serving as a fighter pilot of Mirage 3\5. He was later appointed as Commander of fighter jets squadron. In 1983, he was chosen as Manager of Training and Operations in the Air Force Base.

10 - Salem Ibrahim bin Darwish Al-Naimi: The first teacher in formal educationHe worked as a teacher in 1965 for two years in Qasmiyeh School, the same school where he studied at an early age.

11 - Captain Abdul Wahab Al Diwani: The first Sea CaptainAbdulwahab Al Diwani was the first Emirati sea captain and the first Emirati sea guide in Port Rashid in Dubai. He was the first Director General of the Arab League?s maritime academy. He has trained 4,600 naval officers from Arab countries.

12 - Dr. Mohammad Abdulaziz Sultan Al Olama: The first surgeon to implant brain pressure measuring device and monitor pressure through wireless deviceHe was the first surgeon to implant devices to measure brain pressure in the brain. He conducted more than 800 brain and spine surgeries, including surgeries to remove brain tumours at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, the only hospital that specialises in neurosurgery in Sweden.

13 - Professor Abdul Rahman Sultan Al Sharhan: The first Dean in the UAEHe was the first Dean in the UAE of the Faculty of Science, University of United Arab Emirates in 1995. He holds the presidency of the Middle East branch of the American Academy of Petroleum Geology, which has more than 35,000 members from around the world.

14 -Khaleda Ali Khamas and Abdel Basset Merdas: The first to establish a Thalassemia humanitarian associationThey established the Emirates Thalassemia Association in 1997 after they realized that their child has Thalassemia at a time when awareness about the condition was very low in the country. The association today plays a leading role in raising awareness among the members of the community to take measures to prevent Thalassemia by encouraging medical examination before marriage.

15 - The Late Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad Abu Shihab: The first to document Nabati poetry in the UAEHe is the first to establish television programme on Nabati poetry, and the first to publish this kind of poetry in daily newspapers.

16 - Fatima Al-Kaabi: Youngest InventorShe has contributed about ten different inventions in the fields of environment and special needs. Fatima is currently working on an invention in the area of sustainable energy, and another on limiting the use the phone while driving.

17 - Ahmed Mohammed Al Mansouri: The first presenterHe is one the leading media personalities in the UAE. He began his career in 1967 as a presenter in the ?Voice of the Coast? radio. Ahmed Obaid was a witness to a number of the prominent local events. He was appointed as director of Dubai television in 1973, and later became assistant director of Abu Dhabi radio and television. He accompanied the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum during their overseas tours and headed media delegations.

18 - Mariam Al Matrooshi: The first to win the silver medal at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports World GamesShe won the medal in javelin throw at a championship event in Bangalore, India, in 2009. She then took part in a number of international tournaments until the World Olympiad held in London in 2012. She works as an Administrative Assistant in the UAE Navy.

19 - Captain Ahmed Al Shamsi: The first pilot to fly Airbus and Boeing aircraftHe holds a Bachelor?s degree in Aviation Sciences in 2001 from Florida, USA. He has experience of over 35 years in the aviation industry, and currently serves as vice president of quality and audit affairs in the Emirates Airline.

20 - Dr. Zeinab Abdullah Kazim: First physician in obstetrics and gynecologyShe began her career in 1964 in the Kuwaiti Hospital. Dr. Zeinab worked to devise methods that facilitated safe deliveries. She has conducted more than 18,000 deliveries and provided patient care of women and children throughout her career spanning over 50 years.

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Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2015.