First Ever Reading Challenge In Dubai Government Schools Boosts 830 Emirati Children’s Literacy Skills

The British Council’s 2010-2011 ‘Space Hop’ Reading Challenge, aimed at encouraging youngsters in the Emirates to read for pleasure, has come to a close this month after being successfully completed in 10 government schools across the Emirate.

For the first time ever in Dubai, schoolchildren in grades five and eight participated in the British Council’s now 12 year old reading challenge. Children were encouraged to borrow and read up to six books from a collection of over 100 storybooks and non-fiction books and could then select from a variety of activity sheets to engage their creativity and record their thoughts and feelings on the books they read. Schools also engaged the children in activities and events such as storytelling sessions, arts and crafts projects, and drama to boost their passion for reading and develop other skills in English. The programme, which ran across 24 countries from October to July, was themed ‘Space Hop’ and focused on tapping into children’s fascination with space travel and fun alien worlds.

“The British Council is dedicated to supporting educational development in conjunction with local schools, and the ‘Space Hop’ Reading Challenge aimed to promote a love of reading amongst schoolchildren. With the support of the Dubai Government Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) this new initiative saw 830 Emirati schoolchildren across Dubai take part in the challenge and cultivate their passion and enjoyment for reading,” said Karen Ryan, English Projects Manager, British Council UAE.

The reading challenge presented children with a hologram membership card, a fold-out poster with collectable stickers and a number of other rewards. In the three different challenge stages, students from grade five and eight in each school chose to read either two, four or six books in a month, with nearly half of all students reading four books or more.

“Teachers and children were really enthusiastic about this project, and one of the great outcomes is that so many of the students have developed a passion for reading for pleasure, and have built on their literacy and vocabulary skills outside of regular schooling hours,” said Fatma Al Marri of KHDA.

All students that participated were presented with certificates at special awards ceremonies at their schools to celebrate their achievements, while those who were able to finish reading six books received a gold medal as a mark of their accomplishment. Additionally, participating schools entered into a competition to win a set of 50, 30 or 20 books in recognition of their creativity and extent of student involvement in implementing the challenge. First prizes were awarded to Salma Al Ansareya Girls’ School and Al Wasel Girls’ School for grade five and eight respectively.

“Many of the students look forward to repeating the challenge next year and were very sad when it finished. It was a great way to keep them entertained, but more importantly, I believe that students who took part read more books and read more widely than those who didn’t, with potentially life-changing results,” concluded the grade eight teacher from Al Wasel Girls’ School, Dubai.
 

Making Public Transport The Publics Preferred Mode Of Choice Is Key Challenge At The UITP Dubai 2011

Modern society is creating new mobility needs and new usages and making public transport the preferred option is one of the key challenges of the international public transport community that comes together in Dubai next April at the 59th UITP World Congress & Exhibition, hosted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Public transport operators from around the globe, from Japan to Switzerland and from Norway to the US, will demonstrate how it is possible to adopt a customer-oriented culture and the best global practices to meet the evolving needs of consumers, develop a portfolio of services to offer integrated mobility solutions and ultimately turn travel time into a positive experience.

In the ever evolving customer-focused society, citizens benefit from a growing choice of transport modes, and compare transport performance with other services. They expect mobility solutions that are quick, safe, convenient, reliable, clean and affordable. To achieve this, public transport operators need to meet two challenges: on the one hand, they must keep pace with their clients’ needs in order to deliver quality innovative services and make people change their attitudes and behavior; on the other, they must change their corporate culture from a fleet manager to a customer-oriented company and boost the sector’s potential and attractiveness.

In Dubai, the RTA continues its drive to develop an integrated mass transit modes system with the aim of making it the favorite means of resident mobility which is in line with its strategic goal to increase the public transport share from 6% in 2006 to about 30% in 2020. The authority has already increased the number of people who use public transportation from 163 million in 1995 to 309 million in 2010. It also recognized the importance of customer satisfaction and buy-in to ensure these services meet their ongoing needs. With that in mind, the authority increased by 233% the number of e-services it offers and developed a variety of customer services initiatives which improved its customer service by 41% in 2010.

Making public transport the preferred option is at the core of the ‘PTx2’ strategy of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), which aims to double the public transport market share worldwide by 2025. Due to changing customer expectations, this will be one of the major issues to be discussed at the59th UITP World Congress & Exhibition, hosted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) from 10 to 14 April 2011 in Dubai.
 

KO Gym Offers Survivors Challenge To Work Off Post-Holiday Pounds

KO Gym, the promoter of boxing and kickboxing in the UAE, has set the cards on the table: resolutions are not enough—you can get the slim and sleek body you used to have, but you have to work for it!

The second KO Gym Survivor’s Challenge will show you how. A 12-week fitness overhaul starting February 5, the Survivor’s Challenge comprises three tough workouts a week and nutritional guidance to make fat melt away. The fee of AED 2250 also includes boxing gloves, wraps, a gym bag, a ‘Survivor’s Challenge’ T-shirt and essential start-up supplements.

The three weekly training sessions are geared specifically for aggressive fat-loss, including one session of kickboxing at KO Gym, a resistance training workout, and an outdoor plyometrics session on the beach. Plyometrics is a new type of muscular training that builds power, resistance and speed for explosive energy.

Membership is limited to two groups of 25 people each–one women’s class and one mixed.

The first Survivor’s Challenge concluded in December 2010 with a Gala Dinner, where participants celebrated losing an average of 10 kilograms.

One participant said: “It was a better option for me than going to classes like body pump or rpm, as it gets boring when you do the same class week after week. It was tough and competitive, just what I enjoy! And it got me into the dress I wanted to wear for New Year’s Eve!”

Although the programme is grueling, the most senior participant in 2010—and winner of the trip to Thailand–said: "Taking part in the survivor challenge has changed my life, I lost 13.3 kilograms, quit smoking, and feel much fitter and healthier than I have in years. The KO Crew are some of the nicest people you could wish to meet and offer nothing but encouragement and help to everyone. I would strongly recommend anyone to have a go. I’m 56 so you’re never too old!”

Interested participants must register by January 25 to qualify for a spot in the program. Payment is extended until January 30.

Sessions are as follows:

Women only: Sun, Tues, Thurs 8 am to 9 am
Mixed: Sun, Tues, Thurs 6:00 am

For further information and for registration, please email kopromotionsdubai@gmail.com.
 

RIT Dubai Hosts 2nd Annual University Challenge At Dubai Silicon Oasis

The Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai today announced over 250 students from 15 high schools across the UAE participated in a battle of wits at the Second ‘Annual RIT University Challenge’ held at its campus located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, the integrated free zone technology park.

Sharjah American International School won the first place and received an AED100,000 scholarship award from RIT-Dubai. Other awards, trophies, medals, and certificates were also presented to schools that exhibited high skills at the contest that included one academic and two design-related challenges.

Victoria English School, winners of the knowledge academic trivia competition, answered 92 per cent of the questions asked. Students from Lycee Georges Pompidou French School won the first prize for ‘Popsicle Bridge Design’ that challenged them to erect a bridge with a capacity to carry 20 kg weight. The third challenge was the ‘Egg Launch’ in which a team of students from the Emirates International School was declared the winner for achieving the longest distance.

Dr. Mustafa AG Abushagur, President of RIT Dubai, said: “We are delighted to host the 2nd Annual RIT University Challenge that received significant interest from schools across the UAE. Through holding such events, we aim to promote the skills and abilities of students from all over the country and bring them together for an academic and skills challenge within a fun ambience.”

As part of the day’s activities, the students toured the RIT Dubai campus and were briefed on the different majors offered by the University. The event concluded with a sumptuous barbeque in the company of the students and faculty of RIT Dubai.

Schools that participated included Al Maarifa Private School, British School-Al Khubairat, Dubai American Scientific School, School of Creative Science, Victoria International School, Canadian International School – Abu Dhabi, Sharjah American International School, Sharjah campus, Victoria English School, the Institute of Applied Technology – Al Fujairah campus, the Institute of Applied Technology- Abu Dhabi campus, Gulf Indian High School, Philadelphia Private School-Dubai, Arab Unity School, Lycee Georges Pompidou French School and the Emirates International School – Jumeirah.

Based at the 7.2 square km master-planned community within Dubai Silicon Oasis, RIT Dubai is surrounded by state-of-the-art office towers, research and development zones, educational institutions, luxury apartments, villas, hotels, healthcare services and a full spectrum of lifestyle facilities, all of which add to the students’ education experience.

Founded in 1829, RIT is an internationally recognized leader in professional and career-oriented education, boasting over 17,000 students from nearly 95 countries. RIT offers more than 300 BS, MS, MFA, MBA and Ph.D. programmes in engineering, technology, computing and information sciences, business, and the arts at its main campus in Rochester, New York.
 

DTCM Extends Support To Emirates Challenge Cup In Line With Strategy To Promote Sports Tourism In Dubai

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently extended its support to the Emirates Challenge Cup exhibition match played between Al Ahli and AC Milan in Dubai. More than 7,800 football fans attended the closely contested match which was eventually won by AC Milan, and ended their week-long winter training camp in Dubai.

Part of DTCM’s long-term growth strategy is to promote sports tourism within the Emirate, and attracting sport-related events, congresses, tournaments and exhibitions is key to this sport tourism strategy. Dubai has historically focused on sports as an integral part of a global marketing strategy, which has recently been expanded at DTCM to further support the tourism sector.

Hamad M. Bin Mejren, DTCM’s Executive Director of Business Tourism, who leads the sports tourism strategy committee within the DTCM, said, “Sporting events of all types have a direct impact on our economy during the event and also contribute to promoting Dubai in key source markets globally. The coverage of the just-concluded Emirates Challenge Cup on TV Italia is a prime example of this source market promotion.”

Mehrab, Whiston And Norvall Take Inaugural Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge Titles

 Close to 500 cyclists took to the streets of Dubai for the Spinneys 92 Cycle Challenge today.

Humaid Mehrab from Al Ahli Club was the first Emirati across the line while Team Frankie’s Lee Whiston emerged as the inaugural expat champion of the men’s race. His teammate Victoria Norvall was the first woman to reach the finish.

The race, the first and largest of its kind in the UAE started and finished at the Dubai Autodrome and took in some of the city’s top sites such as the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab. Also part of the day’s festivities was a 10km family fun ride in which Dubai 92’s popular breakfast show presenter, Catboy, also took part.

"I was feeling good the whole way through. It was a good race, fast from the start. It was just by chance that I got away as we turned off into the Autodrome. I tried my luck and it paid off," said a thrilled Whiston afterwards.

"It was a really well-organised and the police were very helpful. It was really good to come here today and get a result. I’ve won races back in the UK so this brings back some good memories," he added.

Women’s winner, Norvall said: "The roads were great and my team were great. It was fast, it was furious, it was fantastic! Hopefully next year there will be a lot more girls out there."

"This race is something that we’ve wanted for a long time. It’s a safe event. It’s something we’ve been asking for and obviously the organisers have now given us. It’s great," added Norvall.

"Congratulations to Humaid, Lee and Victoria who put in some excellent performances to win the first ever Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge. It was tough out there but they pushed through in impressive fashion to emerge as champions," said Race Director Stewart Howison.

"Thanks must go to the Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Police and the RTA for their great support and of course to our sponsors Spinneys and Dubai 92 without whom, this event would not have been possible," added Howison.

"As with a first time for any event, there were a couple of initial teething problems, but that just helps us with the organisation of next year’s event, which I have no doubt will be even bigger and better than today’s.

"Judging by the overwhelming response we have had to this inaugural race, I have no doubt this is an event that will continue to grow and become something along the lines of South Africa’s hugely popular Cape Argus, which attracts a massive 35,000 participants each year."

Kaymer Rises To The Challenge In The Dubai Desert

US PGA Champion and BMW Golfsport Ambassador Martin Kaymer took time out from chasing the European Number One spot to get to grips with a powerful BMW X6 xDrive50i, surfing like a pro over the dunes in the 407hp vehicle.

“It was a superb experience,” said Kaymer, who joined BMW driver trainer Marc Nemeth for the off-road training session during a break from the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. “It’s amazing what the BMW X6 can do – normally you only tend to see these sports activity vehicles in road traffic. But here, in the deep desert sand, it showed off its true qualities.”

Driving instructor Nemeth was duly impressed with the performance of the World Number Three. “Martin has a very good feel for the car and knows exactly when to hit the gas,” he said.

The 25-year-old from Mettmann in North Rhine-Westphalia also showed nerves of steel on the course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in order to parry the threat from Graeme McDowell, his only rival for the prestigious Race to Dubai trophy.

Against a spectacular desert backdrop, Kaymer followed up his off-road experience by practising a few careful strokes in Dubai’s biggest sand bunker.

Coming top of the year’s European ranking will be the crowning glory of an outstanding season for Kaymer. As well as being the first German since Bernhard Langer to win a Major (the US PGA Championship), he celebrated three tournament victories winning the Abu Dhabi Championship, the KLM Open and the Dunhill Links Championship, as well as playing for the successful European Ryder Cup team.

At this year’s Dubai World Championship, BMW is represented as Official Car for the first time providing 45 BMW vehicles and drivers for officials, golfers and administrators. BMW customers and guests were also able to make use of the extensive hospitality area, while a BMW X6 50i, the world’s first Sport Activity Coupé, was offered as a prize to the first golfer to make a hole-in-one at the 17th.

Stathis I. Stathis, General Manager of AGMC, exclusive importer of BMW in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, said: “BMW has a long, global association with golf that spans decades.

“AGMC has carried on that association in Dubai and Sharjah by supporting local tournaments extensively over the past three decades so we are excited to enter a new era as official partners of the Dubai World Championship with the participation of BMW Golfsport Ambassador Martin Kaymer in this event. We look forward to helping make the event the most memorable on the entire European Tour.”

 

Four Lucky Participants Of ’du World Cup Fever Challenge 2010’ Will Meet David Beckham

Truly turning dreams into reality, du added a dash of excitement to life by giving four lucky winners of the ‘du World Cup Fever Challenge 2010’ the once-in-a-lifetime all expenses paid trip to Los Angeles to meet football legend David Beckham.

During a ceremony held at du’s offices, Ahmad Aburahima, VP, Government Relations, du, handed over the award voucher to the lucky four.

“We are delighted to give away these fantastic prizes to the four deserving winners of our World Cup Fever Challenge. We are a company that not only strives to provide the very best in entertainment, but also add a sprinkling of fun and enjoyment to the lives of people in the UAE. With the World Cup Fever Challenge, we provided an exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not just to our customers, but to anyone who wished to participate,” said Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications, du.

David Cook won du’s radio competition and qualified for the World Cup Fever Challenge at Mall of the Emirates. He then selected three of his friends, Ben Goodman, James Cloete & Robert Russell to compete with him at du’s World Cup stand at the mall for the opportunity to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won this opportunity and can hardly believe we will all be heading off to LA to meet David Beckham, all courtesy du! We are very grateful for this opportunity – this is certainly the sort of thing that happens to a select few!”, said David Cook

The World Cup Fever Challenge, which took place at the du stand during the World Cup, was a hugely exciting interactive game – driven through the radio – based on a competition of penalty shoot-outs and a series of knock-out remote-control football matches.

The winning prize includes four return tickets to Los Angeles that includes a six-night stay, and a lifetime opportunity to meet football legend David Beckham, VIP private lounge access to meet more players, VIP Field Side Seats to an LA Galaxy game , an LA Galaxy gift pack and memorabilia and an allowance to spend during the trip.

In order to ensure the UAE’s football fans really got the most out of the football season, du provided an interactive zone at Mall of the Emirates that offered football enthusiasts the chance to participate in a range of fun and competitive games, including the unique World Cup Challenge radio competition.

du is committed to bringing fun and excitement to the people of the UAE throughout the year, and is continuing to provide great entertainment and surprises at du’s stand in the Galleria area of Mall of the Emirates during Dubai Summer Surprises season.
 

ENOC Challenge IV Empowers People With Special Needs Through Focused Job Skills Training

As part of its efforts to empower disadvantaged members of the community, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) today launched ‘ENOC Challenge IV’, the fourth edition of an annual comprehensive training programme aimed at providing disadvantaged individuals with a unique opportunity to acquire critical professional skills and prepare them to join the workforce. This year’s programme will focus on people with special needs.

ENOC has tied up with Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, which nominated 15 individuals to participate in a seven-month training programme that will help develop their social and professional skills. ENOC Challenge will provide them with courses on work ethics, customer care, CV writing, and job interview techniques.

Saif Al Falasi, ENOC’s Group General Manager, said that programme reflects the company’s sustained commitment to strengthening the social fabric of the UAE and underlines the government strategy of integrating people with special needs to the public and the private sectors.

He added: “Our cooperation with Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre reiterates our commitment to partner in a sustainable socio-economic growth initiative that will make a difference to the lives of the participants. Through the seven-month training, the participants will be motivated and their skill sets sharpened to become part of the workforce. I thank Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre for their support in nominating candidates for ENOC Challenge IV.”

The progress of each trainee will be regularly evaluated by the mentors and trainers of the ENOC Learning and Development Department. Upon successful completion of the programme, the participants will be provided with a training certificate and a chance to work with ENOC in the future.

Khalid Hadi, ENOC Group Brand and Marketing Manager, said: “Now in its fourth year, the ENOC Challenge programme grooms people with special needs to become real professionals. ENOC challenge is about developing the participant’s potential by providing him with a specialized training programme and exposing him to different areas of the ENOC business. Since the launch of the programme in 2006, we have had a number of Challenge participants assigned across ENOC subsidiaries.”

Maryam Othman, Director of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre said, “We thank ENOC for this great initiative. The programme is designed to help people with special needs to strengthen their interaction skills, especially with people in the workplace, and teaches them to become active members of the community.”

The event was attended by senior officials from ENOC, Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development Authority, Rashid Paediatric Centre and Red Crescent.

ENOC and all of its subsidiaries uphold the highest standards of corporate social responsibility and support practices and activities that target all segments of society.
 

Meat & Livestock Australia Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 Honours Culinary Talent In Dubai

Culinary excellence in Dubai was honoured recently during the prestigious and exciting Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner of the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 which brought together 60 chefs from 15 top hotels and resorts as well as the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, who toiled in their kitchens for honors in one of the world’s top culinary competitions.

Organized under the auspices of Dubai Tourism and Commercial Marketing Department, by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), representing the Australian Meat industry, the main supplier of quality halal beef and lamb products to the local and regional catering markets, the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 was held at Madinat Jumeirah and was overseen by no less than nine international culinary judges, representatives from the World’s Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), the Emirates Culinary Guild, Dubai hospitality industry and journalists from local and international F&B, social and lifestyle media.

Lachlan Bowtell, Regional Manager of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Middle East and North Africa, said: “Obviously, the Black Box Culinary Challenge has become an ideal platform for the hospitality industry in Dubai to challenge its gastronomic creativity and boost the already high standards in Dubai’s culinary sector, as one of the world’s most prestigious and sophisticated dining destinations. Contesting chefs showcased their talents in handling the best quality Australian beef and lamb products, which have become essential ingredients on menus in the UAE. On this occasion, we’d like to congratulate all winners of the Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 and particularly, overall winner, The Address Downtown Dubai, as well as the first runner up, the Emirates Academy and second runner up, The Address Marina.

The list of participating hotels featured the emirate’s hospitality heavy-weights Madinat Jumeirah, Atlantis – The Palm, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Coral Deira Hotel, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort (RAK), Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek, The Address Dubai Marina, Media Rotana Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Raffles Dubai The Address Downtown Dubai and Park Hyatt Dubai Hotel. The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management has also participated in the competition.

According to the Black Box Challenge’s procedures, Chefs have to gather one day before in the Black Box unveiling ceremony. Every team is assigned an identical black box that contains a wide variety of ingredients including Australian beef and lamb, from which chefs are able to unleash their creativity and creativity. Once teams’ ingredients are registered by the Challenge Coordinator, they have one hour to extricate their innovative nerve and produce four courses: appetizer, soup, main course and dessert. The judges mark every entry and the team obtaining the highest total mark is announced the Overall Winner.

After detailed deliberations between the Challenge’s judges, The Address Downtown Hotel was announced overall Winner of the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010, followed by The Address Marina and Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, consecutively. For the Best Table Display Award, however, Grand Habtoor & Spa distinguished its table with a fine blend of creative design and simplicity to snatch the Award. Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s table came second and Atlantis – Palm Jumeirah’s third.

The Best Main Course Award went to Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management whereas The Address Downtown received the Best Appetizer Award and the Best Dessert Award. Atlantis – Palm Jumeirah was also honoured with the Best Soup Award.

Rejoicing in winning the 2010 edition of the Black Box Culinary Challenge, the Address Downtown Chef, Daniel……., said: “We’re extremely happy with the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge 2010 title, and I’d like to thank my team for their creative edge and also to thank Meat & Livestock Australia for providing the Dubai culinary industry with this unique opportunity that contributes to culinary best practice and encourage gastronomic innovation and excellence among prestigious caterers in Dubai.”