Al Ain: Some 250 students of Al Ain Women's College (AAWC) were given certificates and performance recognition awards at the college's annual awards event held here recently.

The students who were honoured have undergone various levels of programmes including diploma, higher diploma and bachelors degree, said Tonia Michael, Student Activities and Event Coordinator at the AAWC.

The awards were given to honour the students for achieving and maintaining high academic performance, participating in voluntary activities, and also their role as peer tutors and model student in the student council.

Shamsa Yousuf Saeed Al Baloushi was declared the student of the year.

"Shamsa was nominated because her peers recognise her as an outstanding student who always provides assistance and help to her peers," said the college spokesperson.

She also has leadership skills in addition to being smart, friendly, respectful, confident and cooperative, she added. The Model Student for the year 2008-2009 award went to Fatima Ali Nasser Al Ja'afari, a diploma student.

The college spokesperson said Fatima is by nature a very positive person. She is always smiling, pleasant and upbeat in her dealings with peers and teachers at the college.

"Her role as the master of ceremony at a presentation in March was exemplary. She quite simply did an amazing job," she said.

Maha Mohammad Saeed Al Ka'abi, another student of the college, was given a unique award for her contribution to the college life through her photography skills.

She organised photography sessions and field trips on weekly basis and was also the college's official student photographer during major events.

Maha was part of a presentation at the Emirates Foundation in Abu Dhabi in April after completing a research assignment related to the current issues in emiratisation.

She also led an interactive session after the presentation.

"Her participation in this project was important as she was a perfect example of what Emirati students can do," said the spokesperson.

Al Ain Women's College is a part of the Higher Colleges of Technology. The HCT is one of the top higher education institutions in the UAE with 16 campuses located across the country delivering a wide range of programmes to over 16,000 students.