Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, has praised employees for securing their future with knowledge and developing their career track by obtaining higher educational qualifications and degrees. This came during a ceremony held in DM's main building to honour employees who obtained higher educational qualifications and certificates during 2013. Lootah stressed that the Municipality is keen to provide opportunities for employees to improve in all fields related to their career life, saying, "We can see many employees reach higher positions within a few years of joining, with the support of the civic body in line with its vision and policy in human resources development. "It is our pride that the number of employees who are achieving higher qualifications is increasing every year and we are committed to encouraging employees in all ways possible giving them new and more roles in line with their qualifications," Lootah said. Khalid Abdul Rahim, Director of the Human Resources Department, said the civic body aims to be the leading government organisation in both the U.A.E. and region in terms of providing the best environment and opportunities for its employees to gain qualifications and hone skills in both work and extracurricular activities. "Our aim is to improve the overall personality of employees, giving appropriate training and courses based on work requirements and the interests of employees in different areas. Also, DM allows employees to work only 5 hours if they attend any course approved the HR department,' he said. Fatima Al Zarouni, from the Food Control Department, who secured a Master's degree, expressed her immense pleasure at being honoured and extended sincere thanks to the civic body for supporting her career and educational dreams throughout a decade with DM. Amna Fahad Serkal, from Corporate Marketing and Relations Department, who has been studying for an additional degree in management, said, "I am very much grateful to the civic body for giving me all support to achieve my educational goals. "I believe Dubai municipality is the best place to work as it provides whatever employees require to fulfil their educational plans such as reduced working hours without deducting from the salary, two days paid leave for each exam, in addition to scholarships and long leave if required," Serkal said. "I also hope that DM will consider the aspirations of its employees to be qualified in various areas even its is not related to their job, based on certain terms and conditions, in order to create a knowledgeable generation to lead our country," she added. Out of total 38 honoured employees, 10 obtained Master's, 20 obtained Bachelor's, there were 12 diplomas and six higher secondary certificates, in addition to several course completion and achievement certificates.