Prestigious ‘Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence 2018-19’, a national award is awarded to the country's highest-rated students every year and this year it has been awarded to 9th Grade student Vibhali Shetty of our Our Own High School (girls) Sharjah.

Mangalurean Vibhali Shetty is the daughter of businessman father Prasad Shetty who runs Rajab Trading Company & mother Suraksha Prasad Shetty is Design Manager & Senior Architect at Semac Consultants, Dubai. Father a native of Udupi and mother from Surathkal are currently residents of Sharjah.

The Sharjah Award for excellence was launched in 1994-95 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme council and Ruler of Sharjah. This Award is the first educational award in the UAE which is focused to honor and recognize outstanding individuals in education field and promote a culture of excellence.

The Award ceremony was held at the Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre, Sharjah on 1st May 2019, presided by the Crown Prince of Sharjah, Sultan bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi who handed over the award to Vibhali Shetty. The members of the Royal Family and several other dignitaries were also present during the ceremony.

An ecstatic Vibhali said “I am excited to receive this award on the 25th year of the award cycle. My hard work made me achieve commendation in academics throughout the years. This has been accompanied by my passion for extracurricular activities such as dancing, singing, drawing and other skills like abacus and public speaking. The award made me realize that excelling in academics is not the only criteria of achievement in a student’s life. Sharjah award is a great motivation and a symbol of encouragement. Winning the award gives me great pleasure and satisfaction. I sincerely thank His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah for sowing the seed into each and every student’s mind about excellence in education”

Vibhali Shetty has several achievements and has won very many accolades some of which are here below:

Ministry of Education, UAE - Awarded Merit Certificate for scoring 94.6% in the year 2016-17
Received Commendation Certificate from Our Own English High School, Sharjah 2016-17
Received Commendation Certificate from Our Own English High School, Sharjah 2015-16
Received Commendation Certificate from Our Own English High School, Sharjah 2014-15
Initiated ‘Can Collection Campaign 2015’ and contributed to environment
Initiated ‘Neighborhood Recycling Campaign 2015 & 2016’ and contributed to environment
Initiated ‘Recycle Repeat Reforest 2016-17 Campaign and contributed to environment
Participated in ‘World Environment Day 2016’ and contributed to environment
Received Certificate of Appreciation from Students for the Earth Youth Group UAE
Participated in ‘Treat for the Planet’ Drive 2016 and received Certificate of Appreciation
Participated in ‘For Our Emirates We Plant’ Ceremony and planted a tree in my name for EEG
Received ‘Certificate of Participation’ for achieving 500 kgs. of newspaper for Recycling Project 2015
Received ‘Certificate of Participation’ for collecting 502 Kgs. Of newspaper & 50 kg. Aluminum Cans
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for collecting 27.5 Kgs. Of Aluminum Cans during Campaign
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for participation in ‘Recycle Reforest Repeat Project 2016’
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for participation in ‘Recycle Reforest Repeat Project 2017’
Received rewards for highest target in newspaper & can collection in the month of August 2016
Volunteered in ‘Earth Hour Celebration’ and participated in Walkathon 2016
Participated in ‘Clean-up World’ Campaign 2016
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for participation in Recycle-thon 2016
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for organizing the book donation by Indian Association Sharjah
Appreciated for the fund raising campaign which raised $.110 for buying mosquito nets in Africa UNO
Organised ‘Giving is living’ Event in Karnataka and donated uniforms, books to Madrasa Students
Mentored a child in neighborhood and helped that student in her studies
Organised ‘Special Deeds for Special Needs’ campaign and collected sports items to Manzil
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for ‘Back to School’ Campaign and noted School Bags/Water Bottles
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for participating in ‘Sweet Smile with a Small Gift’ campaign
Received ‘Social Soldier Certificate’ for volunteering in ‘Go Humane’ Ifthar distribution
Received Certificate for volunteering in ‘Back to School Edition’ of Dubai Cares
Received Certificate of Appreciation for participating in ‘Spread the Taste, Stop the Waste’ Campaign
Received Certificate of Appreciation for participating in ‘Hospitality Matters’ Charity Campaign
Member of the School Parliament at Our Own English High School, Sharjah
Team Leader of Students for the Earth Youth Group ‘Students for the Earth’
Trained in Dance – both Contemporary & Bharatanatyam
Performed in various stage shows and private functions
Received ‘Certificate of Merit’ for the performance in Global Village during 2017
Received ‘Certificate of Merit’ for the performance in Global Village during 2016
Won first in Folk Dance Competition by Santhwanam Youth Fest 2016
Received ‘Certificate’ for completing 3rd level UC Dino Art program in 2017
Received ‘Certificate of Achievement’ for participating and winning various drawing competitions
Received ‘Certificate of Achievement’ for participating & winning in various Public Speaking Competitions
Received ‘Certificate of Achievement’ for participating & winning various singing competitions
Trained in Abacus and completed ten levels at Brainobrain International and received recognitions
Silver Topper at International Abacus Competitions during 2016
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ winning second place in ‘My Green Ramandan’ Contest 2016
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for participating in UAE National Day Parade
Received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for participating in Recyclathon Run 2016