College: Abu Dhabi Women's College
I, Asma Al Amri, graduated from ADWC with a Higher Diploma in Financial Services and Banking and then a Bachelor degree in Business Administration in 2008. During my Higher Diploma I won the Best Student award.
This was not an easy task for me. From a very young age I wanted to complete my higher education and be the best among the children of the family. This was my dream. However, at the age of 16, when I was in secondary school I got married. After my marriage I managed to complete my high school education and later had to stay at home looking after my family and kids, as that was the wish of my in-laws.
During this period I felt that something was missing in my life. It was my childhood dream – the dream to complete my higher education. So, I managed to convince my husband for me to go into higher education and finally, in 1997, I applied to ADWC. A week after the registration at ADWC, I was totally disappointed as my application was rejected for the reason that I had graduated from school 10 years before and they accepted only fresh school leavers.
After struggling for weeks, I got admission at ADWC. Here my dream came true but only a part of my dream. That day, I promised myself that I will not let this chance go in vain and that I would graduate from the college if not as the best student but at least as one of the best students.
And, my friends, I did it. After 3 years of hard work and many sleepless nights, there I was on the stage with hundreds of people clapping for me with Sheikha Fatima in front of me, to present the gold medal to me. This was the most beautiful day of my life.
A few minutes later my name was called again as I was announced the best student of the year and the best student trophy was presented to me. This is the most valuable achievement of my life and that day is the most memorable day.
Then I started my career as a sponsored student, and then working for Union National Bank for 2 years before moving on to ADNOC for 6 years. During my career at ADNOC, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and I recently moved to GASCO’s Strategic Planning and Performance Management Division as Senior Strategic Planning Analyst.
Juggling part-time study, a job and a family and a mother of five proved to be challenging. However, I found that strictly organising my time to allocate periods for study, work and especially family ensured that everyone fully supported my endeavours.
I like to be recognised by people not just as a good wife, mother, colleague or even an ‘A’ grade student, but as myself and this drives me forward. I am now planning to do my master degree.
It is true that life is not a bed of roses. However I believe that where there is a will there is a way……………………………you just need to be self-motivated, believe in yourself and just be determined about what you want to achieve ……………just keep trying …………And there you are!