Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan First Leader To Join Dwc Campaign To Promote Reading Among Students

Dubai Women’s College (DWC), a Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) flagship institution, announced today the launch of a first of its kind initiative in the region to promote reading among students.

The Poster Campaign “READ” features distinguished leaders and members of the UAE community holding a favorite book. The word ‘Read’ is included in English as well as Arabic to enhance relevancy. The posters are displayed prominently throughout the Library and around DWC campus.

Dr. Howard Reed, Senior Director of the Higher Colleges of Technology and Director of Dubai Women’s College said that DWC is honored to have His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of Higher Colleges of Technology, as one of the first participants in the READ Poster campaign. “Hopefully his poster will encourage many students to read more,” added Dr. Reed.

The project is a local version of the concept created by the American Library Association, which features international celebrities.

Catherine Namour, coordinator of the project, said that the READ Poster campaign is a visually engaging way for DWC to encourage students to read. “We anticipate the program to grow with the gracious participation of locally recognized personalities,” she pointed out.

The campaign is targeting Dubai Women’s College students in the first phase with the goal to promote reading, and to engage students with reading through producing a collection of 10 posters featuring high profile Emirati role models. The second phase which will be launched on a later stage aims to reach educational community at large.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was selected the no. 1 as role model according to a survey conducted recently by DWC Library to explore who students chose as role models. The online survey, which questioned over 200 students, showed that Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi and UAE singer Hussein Al Jasmi were among the top role models. “We were surprised at the number of responses to the question; many could not give just one name. If the buzz generated around asking the question was so great, just imagine when they see the posters! It is our aim to have Emirati role models spread the reading message by offering to participate in this READ poster campaign,” commented Robin Bishop, DWC Library Supervisor.

Robin added that encouraging students particularly those who have difficulty reading or those who do not like to read is a worldwide challenge.

From her part, Abrar Mikkawi, Media and Marketing Coordinator said that the campaign will also be promoted on DWC social media networks including Twitter and Facebook in order to reach the maximum target audience. “We hope that READ poster campaign will give students who have difficulty reading, or who do not like to read, the opportunity to see posters of elite Emirati role models who send the messages that it’s important to read for fun and for everyday life or I’m a leader and I like to read,” she added.

Dr. Ghassoub Mustafa, English Faculty at Dubai Women’s College believes the READ Poster Campaign is a genuine attempt at reminding students of the importance of reading as a vehicle and an indispensible instrument to perform well in their academic life and in their future career. “It is a constant message to students to convince them that there is no skill more crucial to a successful life than reading. I hope that the READ posters will revive in students’ minds the image of ‘the legendary love for books’ by the Arabs who had lived in Cordoba and Baghdad; the world’s greatest learning centres in the Middle Ages. The well-read and highly cultivated Arabic society of that era presented to the world unrivalled thinkers, philosophers, scholars, doctors, astronomers, and polymaths.”
 

RTAs Women Committee Celebrates Selection of Rafeea Ghobash Among Top 100 Women In The World

The Women Committee, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has recently hosted Dr. Rafeea Ghobash, Ex President of the Arabian Gulf University, in celebration of the International Women’s Day centennial, and her selection among the top 100 most giving women worldwide. The event took place at RTA Head Office in the presence of Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Director of RTA Customer Service, Chairwoman of Women Committee, along with considerable numbers of RTA male and female employees.

In a speech marking the occasion, Dr. Aysha Al Busmait said: “Women’s Giving is an initiative in a form of an international organization concerned with championing woman rights, coordinating the efforts aimed at reducing maternal fatalities in the world, establishing a political commitment, and enticing financial investments to realize the fifth objective of the developmental objectives of the current millennium; which revolves around reducing maternal fatalities. This entity has selected Dr. Rafeea Ghobash among the top 100 women who have multiple contributions in supporting women cause at all levels.

“The Women Committee is keen on attracting several key national personalities who are influential not only in the local community but also at the regional level, be it men or women, to familiarize RTA male and female employees with the personal and professional expertise of these personalities; who are known for their creative and effective influence on their communities. It is also viewed as an honor capping a career marked by efforts and giving culminated in bringing about a significant change in these societies in general and raising women profile in particular,” continued Dr. Aysha.

In the outset of the gathering, Dr. Rafeea Ghobash, Ex President of the Arabian Gulf University, praised the role of the RTA in achieving super development of Dubai roads during the past few years; which reflects the fantastic philosophy pursued by the senior management in terms of sound planning; which has contributed to a high-class achievement, and undertaking first-time initiatives towards the integration of mass transit networks.

Ghobash spoke to the attendants about her overall life experience spanning academic, practical and personal perspectives along the key challenges encountered in the positions she held, and how she managed, depending on her will, dedication to work and belief that woman is capable of surmounting difficulties, to play a distinguished role and make a substantial contribution to championing women wherever she went throughout her multiple participations in the local and international events. “My career is an inspiring source of success, particularly my expertise in Bahrain as President of the Arabian Gulf University for 8 years; which has left a huge print in my career path as it was packed with challenges and changes through developing a set of unprecedented strategies driven by self-assertion endeavours,” she added.

Dr. Rafeea Ghobash spoke how she was brought up and the key women personalities who have contributed to refining her personality at an early age. “Being nurtured, together with my brothers, in a house flowing with different intellectual schools, and diverse physical and mental activities during the academic years; I came up to have a clear vision of the vitality of achieving certain objectives. I was also engaged in domestic volunteering activities through taking part in Renaissance Societies, Emirates Medical Association and Child Club among others; which is considered an essential exposure for polishing the personality and promoting openness to others. This has continued till I was engaged with a local magazine for 13 years through which I managed to communicate with various segments of the community in a weekly page; which gave me exposure to a variety of problems suffered by the community, especially GCC women, which have broadened my knowledge about the most frequent problems and how to handle such cases.

“My involvements with the international initiatives have enabled me to portrait a fine image of Arabian countries in general, and GCC countries in particular along with the achievements made at all levels including membership of the World Future Council; a foundation concerned with the plant earth, accorded in a conference held in Sweden,” continued Ghobash.

The ex President of the Arabian Gulf University revealed that she had other concerns in the fields of poetry, writing, publishing books, and conducting detailed researches in psychiatry and how to address such issues. She maintained that every individual would be in need of striking a psychological and administrative balance in life in order to remain on course and immune from the triggers of anxiety and depression as well as other issues leading to psychological breakdown.

Dr. Ghobash also briefed the attendants on the newly born project; for which she cares so much, hopefully to shape into a heritage landmark in Dubai; which is the Woman Museum; through which the UAE community and visitors will be introduced to the status of women in the community. The Gallery will include images of leading female personalities in the UAE, the most prominent jewelry, tools and fabrics used to be worn by women in their daily lives, events or weddings. Each artifice in the Gallery will be attributed to the women who used it in order to make it a memorable event for future generations.

Demand For Masters Programs Rises In UAE; Quality Management , International Business Are Among Desired Degrees: UOWD

The demand for masters programs in the UAE has grown dramatically over the years, according to the findings of the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), which recently held postgraduate information evenings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The region’s changing job landscape has put Quality Management and International Business among the more desired master’s degrees in the region.

As the UAE and the entire region aspire for global quality standards, there are increasing job opportunities for young men and women to work in quality departments to drive organizations towards excellence. UAE nationals particularly see an important role for quality management, beside human resources management.

“Since its origin as ’Total Quality Management’ in the late 1960s, Quality Management has become a central part of every organisation. UOWD was a ’first mover’ in this area through our Master of Quality Management (MQM) degree, which was developed with the strong support of the Dubai Quality Group,” said Professor Rob Whelan, President of UOWD.

“UOWD is the only university in the region that offers this degree program, educating participants in all aspects of quality management – focusing on international standards (ISO 9000) and the documentation, implementation and maintenance of quality systems in the context of overall organisational performance and therefore the enhancement of business competitiveness,” Whelan added.

“The UAE’s 2030 Strategic Plan and the efforts of the Middle East Quality Association (MEQA) indicate that quality management will become a core value of every organisation,” said Dr. Abdel Moneim Ahmed, Director of Master of Quality Management, UOWD. “More recently, the launch of the Sheikh Khalifa Quality Award has further enhanced the importance of quality management. Organisations like MEQA will ensure that the Middle East region will evolve its own quality parameters dictated by local business needs.”

Noora Al Mazrouee, an Emarati woman currently working with an international bank in Dubai, has just completed her first semester in MQM at UOWD, and feels the postgraduate masters degree will help her to land a job in the quality department of any government organisation.

“As part of the UAE government’s strategy, every government company will be required to have a quality department,” says Noora. “It makes sense to get this degree from a prestigious international university. I am confident this will boost my market value.”

Noor Abulhoul, another Emirati student of MQM, says the degree has a focus on a field that promises immense scope. “The whole country is focused on achieving excellence in every field,” says Noor. “Our leaders, especially Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, are putting great emphasis on quality management. Learning quality management from an international perspective will enable me to apply global best practices at workplace.”

The Master in International Business (MIB) is another program that is gaining popularity, and a growing number of students are opting to study it in the multicultural environment of the UAE.

“As a UAE University with a strong connection to a leading Australian University, UOWD has a natural advantage in offering the highest quality Masters in International Business. UOWD’s MIB connects students to a ready-made international network and our students can elect to complete part of their MIB as intensive study with one of our international partner organisations,” says Prof. Rob Whelan.

Saikrishna Raghukumar, an Indian student who has come to Dubai to do his master in International Business, says: “I wanted to study international business in a multicultural environment. I foresee great opportunities to hone my sales and marketing skills, and get an international exposure through this program.”

UOWD highlighted a total of nine masters programs at the information evenings, including the Master of Science in Logistics and the Master of Applied Finance and Banking.
 

RTA Promotes Reading Among Students Of International Academic School As Part Of Read More Initiative

A delegation from the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently visited the International Academic School in Dubai in a bid to promote reading habits among students in the context of ‘Read More’ initiative intended to showcase the importance of books in life and how they help individuals in promoting their intellectual knowhow and developing diverse skills that groom them for higher and vital positions, particularly noting that the initiative targets students aged 7 to 14 at public and private schools.

During the visit, the CEO of Public Transport Agency Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, highlighted the importance of reading as a means of enriching knowledge and gaining exposure to diverse cultures which would help enhance the communication between local and foreign community segments, especially as reading helps hone people abilities in dealing and opening dialogues with others, he noted.

Al Dosari urged students to pay more attention to acquire good books capable of adding to their intellectual and knowledge abilities and hence empower them to be creative and competent enough to hold higher leading and scientific positions and contribute to the actual development of the country. “This can only be achieved through gaining scientific knowledge and culture in the early days of childhood. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, though obviously busy as a visionary leader, does assign considerable attention to writing poems and books such as ‘Ru’iatti’; which has become a prominent title across the Arabian bookshops.”

“This initiative reflects the extent of importance assigned by the RTA to the spreading of knowledge and culture over and above its cores services and responsibilities. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, RTA is also expressing its genuine desire to educate students and instill in them the reading habits with the aim of graduating competent individuals to cope with all new developments taking place in the community,” said the CEO of Public Transport Agency.

Afterwards Al Dosari presented to the students a story entitled ‘Suwar Al Dhahab (Gold Bracelet), written by the Emirati writer Qais Sidqi winner of Sheikh Zayed Book Award. This pictorial story helps entice students to read as it has a lovely content featuring falconry and educating how to be patient and tolerant. Al Dosari also explained to students the Drawing Contest, which is run as part of the Read More initiative, inviting students to draw up another title for the story and the winner will be honoured by the RTA.

For his part, jos vonk expressed his delight with the visit of the RTA delegation which was all success not to mention the orientation of students towards caring for books and reading which, he said, would upgrade the academic assimilation of students and at the end of the day help place the school among the elite bunch of schools in Dubai.

At the end of the gathering Al Dosari, flanged by a host of officials of Public Transport Agency, distributed the story along with mementos to the students.
 

Among The Must-Watch Films At DIFF 2010 Are Hard-Hitting Tales From The Arab World And Asia.

The seventh Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is showcasing an array of hard-hitting tales from the Arab world, Africa and Asia, their gripping social narratives making them a must-watch film experience.

Screening on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 10 pm at Cinestar 9, Mall of the Emirates (MoE), is director Shuchen Tan’s ‘Baghdad Film School.’ The film is about Iraqi born filmmakers Maysoon Pachachi and Kasim Abid who developed the challenging idea to open up the first independent film school in Iraq. With a car loaded with video equipment, they undertook their dangerous journey from Amman to Baghdad and in March 2004 they opened up the doors of their school. Their mission was to give a voice to a new generation of Iraqi filmmakers and to let them tell their personal stories. ’Baghdad Film School’ is a story about film making in a post-war environment and what it takes to be an independent filmmaker in a country tormented by violence.

Director Ariane Astrid Atodji’s ‘Koundi and the National Thursday,’ to be screened today (Tuesday, Dec. 14) at 3.15 pm at Cinestar 6 of MoE, is about Koundi, a large village with around 1,200 inhabitants. Aware of Koundi’s richness in timber, the villagers decide to use it to alleviate poverty. They organise a union, GIC (Organisation for Communal Interests) and finally obtain the right to install a small communal forestry operation. Gorgeously shot, the film is a heartfelt look at life inside a communal society that seeks to balance the demands of globalisation and the search for uniquely African solutions.

Screening on Dec. 15, 7 pm, at Cinestar 8 is director Jeong-hyun Mun’s ‘Yongsan,’ a stirring tale. On 20 January 2009, five tenants of the Yongsan district, who were forcefully evicted from their homes staged a sit-in and were burned to death in their apartment block. This personal essay documentary recalls the many movements of Korean civil rights and activism and asks where all the idealism went, even as the atrocities return today.

From the Arab world is ‘Zelal,’ a quiet masterpiece of hard-hitting reportage by directors Mustapha Hasnaoui and Marianne Khoury. The film has drawn global critical praise for its hard-hitting and sobering insight into the lives of those afflicted by mental illness in Egypt today. Filmed in two large asylums, the film reveals the horrific conditions in which patients are expected to live – squalor and neglect is endemic, staff are stretched beyond breaking point, therapy and treatment seems non-existent.
DIFF 2010 box office locations are: Cinestar Mall of the Emirates, Madinat Souk and the CNN Building in Dubai Media City. Tickets can also be purchased through DIFF’s Dial-a-Ticket service at (04) 391 3378 and from the website www.dubaifilmfest.com.

The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010, is held until Dec. 19 in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, the home of the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The event is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

For more and updated information about DIFF, please visit www.dubaifilmfest.com

Fresh-Faced Fiji Among The Favourites At Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens

It’s been 12 years since Fiji lifted the trophy at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens. But this year, New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens is tipping them as one of the strong contenders for the title.

\\\”People might see us as the team to beat and clearly we’ll be going all out to win in Dubai and win the World Series, but I think the sleeping giant is Fiji this year,” said Tietjens.

\\\”They weren’t at the Commonwealth Games, which was a real shame for them, but they’ll go quietly about their business. They play sevens week in and week out in Fiji and I think that they will bring a very good side,\\\” added the New Zealand coach who led his side to victory in Dubai last year.

The Fiji team missed out on the Commonwealth Games after their island was suspended from the Commonwealth, but manager Sale Sorovaki believes that hasn’t affected their preparations for the upcoming season.

“We would have loved to have gone, but it was something that was out of our control. It hasn’t stopped us from preparing for the Series,” said Sorovaki.

“Our preparations are going well. We have a lot of new players in the team; A lot of young players and we are looking to improve on our ranking from last series,” added the manager whose side finished fourth overall in the 2009/2010 series behind Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

Asked about Tietjens’ prediction that theirs was the team to watch this year, Sorovaki simply responded: “New Zealand has been the most successful team since the inception of the IRB circuit in 1999. They have always had good sides in recent years, and any team would be foolish to take them lightly. They are the team to watch.”

Fiji have been drawn in the same pool as England, Portugal and France and will play the opening international match of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens against the Portuguese at 9.20am on Friday morning.

“Just like all teams participating, we would like to do well. We seem to have always struggled in Dubai because we have just finished our local 15s competition,” said Sorovaki.

“We are just trying to focus on little things and trying to do them well. The basics have been our weakness in the past and we are trying to improve in that regard.

“We have only four old players and eight new ones in this year’s team. We hope that our experienced players will help settle the new ones down and direct them the right way on the field.”

Commenting on the Dubai tournament, Sorovaki added: “Dubai is a special place simply because it is Dubai. It has grown tremendously in terms of popularity over the last decade and having the first leg here is always a pleasure. I’m sure all other teams agree that it is a popular destination, especially for a small nation like ours.”

Tickets to the 2-4 December tournament are still available online through www.dubairugby7s.com and by calling Ticketline on 800 4669 (international clients can call +971 4 4443459).

Other outlets where tickets are available are:

Costa outlets: Mall of the Emirates, JBR, Dubai Mall (Galleria & Ice Rink), Mirdif City Centre, Arabian Ranches, Festival City (Atrium & Square), Al Wahda Mall (Abu Dhabi)
MMI outlets*: Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, Al Wasl Rd, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Motor City, Al Hamra Cellar (RAK)
Virgin Megastore: Abu Dhabi Mall, Mercato Mall, Burjuman, Deira City Centre, Mirdif City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Spinneys: Umm Suqeim
Emirates headquarters
Dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Rd
The Sevens
ITP Publishing Group Building (Building Number 14), Dubai Media City
Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club
Palm Sports Resort Al Ain
*Remember you must have an alcohol licence to enter any MMI outlet

Children under 12 gain free admission to the general public area and there is a special family stand available, with plenty of exciting activities to keep children entertained in the Rugby Village.

A free bus service will be transporting fans from 7he Sevens back to several convenient locations across Dubai. Starting from 5pm on Thursday, 2 December and 7pm on Friday, 3 December and Saturday, 4 December, the drop-off points are: Dubai Festival City, Dubai Media City (family drop-off points), Barzar (Madinat Jumeirah), Double Decker, Irish Village, Chi @ The Lodge, McGettigans Irish Pub (JLT) and Barasti

 

UAE Among Key Exporters Of Chinese Tissue And Hygiene Products

UAE ranks 28th among countries exporting Chinese tissue paper, with a volume of 1,233,621kg. As for hygiene products, the export volumes from China to UAE stand at 1,390,391kg, ranking it 24th, according to the China National Household Paper Industry Association (CNHPIA).

As far paper and machinery industry are concerned, trade between UAE and China has been growing by leaps and bounds year by year.

The leading Chinese association said that the Chinese participation at Paper Arabia 2010 exhibition is 19 percent bigger than in the previous edition, consolidating the position of the Middle East as one of the primary markets for the Chinese companies’ tissue paper and disposable products.

Paper Arabia 2010, the three-day exhibition will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from September 26 to 28, 2010.

Commenting on the Chinese participation at show, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, said: “The growing and potential tissue market of the Middle East is the main attraction for the Chinese companies participating Paper Arabia 2010. They want to explore the huge market or establish stable customs relationship in the Middle East area through the exhibition. Paper Arabia is an ideal platform for them to explore business in the Middle East.”

There are 15 Chinese companies attending Paper Arabia 2010. Ten of the Chinese exhibitors are tissue/sanitary products converting machinery manufacturers, two are tissue producers, two sanitary products related companies and one tissue package sealing label maker.

In 2009, the export of tissue paper kept growing, and tissue paper export volume reached 445,000 tons, up 8% over 2008. The export revenue was US$531.49 million, up 3.9%. The net export volume was 422,000 tons, up 7.9% than 2008. The net exports revenue was 495.08 million US dollars, up 3.8%.

In 2009, Chinese sanitary napkins market also continued to grow rapidly. According to the statistics by CNHPIA, the total producers’ sales revenue of sanitary napkins was about 18.1 billion yuan. The market size was about 38.1 billion yuan.

Paper Arabia 2010 will host a number of Chinese companies displaying a vast array of paper and tissue products and latest machinery pertaining to this industry. The show will exhibit for the first time machines for making disposable products, a clear indication of the evolution of this business in the Middle East.

Al Fajer Information and Services, which is organizing the show for the third year, will host companies from the paper, tissue and converting industry. This show offers opportunities to the manufactures and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, suppliers of paper, tissue and converting sector to tap the Middle East and North African markets.

Khanna added: “Paper Arabia 2010 will work to promote technique improvement and economic development of the industry, and to accelerate the modernization drive in this fast growing industry. As Dubai is the gateway for reaching out to the Middle East market, Paper Arabia represents the ideal platform for specialized Chinese companies to establish new contacts and seek new partners and customers from the Middle East region.”
 

UOWD IT Graduate, Samaneh Sanatnama, Among Four Finalists In ’The Big Start’ Business Start-Up Competition

Samaneh Sanatnama, a Finnish student of Iranian origin at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), was among the four finalists who made it to the final round of The Big Start, a student entrepreneur initiative launched by Al Tamimi Investments (ATI).

The four students, competed against nearly 200 students from across the UAE for a chance to have their business idea made into a reality.

Samaneh Sanatnama, who completed her IT degree program at UOWD in April 2010 and is currently employed with MBC, was recognised for her well structured marketing plan for a clothing design company for kids.

"Though I am an IT student, I have good marketing skills which prompted me to apply for The Big Start competition, as it presents a lifetime opportunity to launch one’s own business with funding from Al Tamimi Investments," said Samaneh. "I put in a lot of effort into my presentation, and covered every aspect of the business plan, including the product’s unique selling proposition, costing, revenue, research, etc. I also did my homework by checking with stores about selling trends and other aspects. It was very thrilling to be selected for the final round."

"In terms of what I have learnt, the past six months has been invaluable to me and I have really enjoyed putting into practice what I have learnt at UOWD. I know that with hard work and perseverance, I can do anything I set my mind to," Samaneh said.

The final winner gets the chance of a lifetime to set up and run his or her own business after they graduate, with full funding and support from Al Tamimi Investments. The winner is given the title of Chief Executive Officer for the new company, as well as a structured shareholding agreement.

The final four candidates were selected based on their idea for an innovative new UAE-based company, their business acumen and personal qualities. Each finalist was given the opportunity to present his/her business plans to the judging panel, which included the Chairman of Al Tamimi Investments, Essam Al Tamimi.
 

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City Among World’s Best Hotels On Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ List

Expedia® travelers have ranked Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list according to Pasquale Baiguera, General Manager of the hotel.

“The Expedia list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The full list represents only a small percentage of the world’s top hotels from the more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.

“Delivering our guests superior service is a top priority at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City,” said Baiguera.

“We are pleased that our efforts have been acknowledged by Expedia travelers and look forward to extending our high level of service to even more guests.”

The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is compiled based on the more than one million Traveler Opinions hotel reviews collected by Expedia and then combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees in local markets worldwide.

The selection results in an easy-to-browse list that provides travelers with an easy way to find the perfect hotel using the trusted insight of other travelers like them. The list showcases the diverse selection of travel destinations and hotel properties. More information on the selected hotels is available on www.expedia.com/insidersselect.
 

Contest Organised To Promote Reading And Creativity Among Students

The Omar Ibn al Khattab Model School honoured the winners of the ‘Dubai Reads’ contest recently. The ceremony was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

The contest, which was the second of its kind, attracted wide participation from students from the secondary level of the Arabic language stream. Aimed to promote the habit of reading and spark the creative process among youngsters aged 11 to 15, the contest drew a large audience including delegations from the ministries and leading writers and intellectuals.

Presenting the awards were Khalifa Buamaim, Director of Government Communications and Amina Al Khalil, Director of Community Development at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.