In 2009, the Honorary Doctorate was awarded to: Her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roomi
Her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roomi, Minister of Social Affairs in the UAE was bestowed with the accolade of Honorary Doctor of the University in recognition of her dedication, commitment and excellence towards the social development of the UAE and the Arab World and her inspiring community leadership.
As one of the most senior women in the United Arab Emirates’ government Her Excellency has made huge contributions to the well-being of women in the UAE through her involvement in the Ministry of Social Affairs’, and to the lives of disabled people through her work in the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Her Excellency has served in many educational, academic and societal roles within the UAE including; Chairperson of UAE Special Olympics from 1989 to 1994, Director of Abu Dhabi’s Handicapped Rehabilitation Center and Director of Center for Special Needs within the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs from April 1984 to February 1999 and Chairperson of The Higher Advisory Committee for The Women Higher Colleges of Technology-Abu Dhabi during the period of 1990 – 1994.
Prior to becoming Minister of Social Affairs in 2006, her Excellency was the Under Secretary of the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry a position which she held from 1999. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the UAE University in 1980 Her Excellency Mariam Al Roomi thanked Middlesex University for the honor and attributed her achievements to the encouragement, support and trust of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.