Dubai Airport Freezone Becomes One Of Three Dubai Organizations To Receive Prestigious ISO 20000:2005

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In a confirmation of its focus on improving customer service and maintaining international standards, the Dubai Airport Freezone became one of three organizations in Dubai to receive the coveted ISO 20000:2005 certification.

This certification, that was adopted by the Information Technology Service Management Department in the free zone, will set mechanisms in place enabling the Dubai Airport Freezone to deliver quality technology services to its customers, further meet customer requirements, set up streamlined procedural structures and monitor overall service quality. Through implementation of this prestigious international standard, the free zone will gain further credibility and visibility, helping it attract new foreign investments into Dubai.

On receiving the ISO 20000:2005 certificate, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, President of Dubai Airport Freezone commented: “By bolstering electronic services and technology in all business sectors, Dubai Airport Freezone is working in line with the directives of the Dubai Government. The free zone is focused on implementing the latest international standards, which will help us offer enhanced facilities to our customers and attract more foreign investment to the Emirates.”

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, the Director General of Dubai Airport Freezone, said: “Dubai Airport Freezone is reinforcing its relations with foreign investors by identifying, developing and meeting all their technology needs, which help them save time and effort. Technology is, after all, one of the most important standards in the global business market and we are working hard to keep up with state-of-the-art international standards. One of our main priorities is to attract more international companies in different fields and help them establish and expand their business in the Middle East.”

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed also lauded the two Dubai Airport Freezone employees, Mohamed Ali Suilam and Amna Loutha, who were awarded certificates from the Dubai Young Leaders Program from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoom, for their achievements within the Dubai Airport Freezone.

He said: “Investing in local youth leaders is a government priority, as these people will help build the Emirates future.”
 

Du Wins Top Honours At Prestigious MENA Cristal Awards 2011

In a clear acknowledgement of its creative capabilities, du has been honoured with two awards at the prestigious Mena Cristal Awards 2011, the sixth edition of the Middle East’s first-ever advertising festival. The company was honoured with an impressive Gold (Cristal) award in the Corporate Category for its Ramadan “Time” TV commercial – featuring world-renowned Emirati artist Ahmed Bukhatir – and a Silver (Finalist) award in the Outdoor category for its Real Business Broadband DMC ambient execution “Eye”.

“Through a unified and strategic approach to advertising and communication, we aim to communicate our brand’s young, friendly and innovative image and identity, and we are pleased to see that these efforts are being recognised across the region. We are deeply honoured to receive these awards, and very proud of our ‘Time’ and ‘Eye’ campaigns, along with our many other shortlisted achievements, which clearly demonstrate that we are succeeding in reaching out to people and – true to our philosophy of adding life to life – providing our customers with a unique and inspiring experience of our brand,” commented Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications, du.

du was shortlisted for seven awards across four categories including the Smart Business Plan "Building", "Park", "Airport" campaigns in the Daily Press Category, the Smart Business Plan "Building" and Real Business Broadband “Eye” in the Outdoor Category, Business Mobile Broadband “Dubai” in the Magazine Category and the Ramadan TV commercial, “Time”, in the Corporate Category.

“I was honoured to be a part of creating this fantastic TV commercial with du and am very proud of this phenomenal achievement. The aim of this campaign was to help people get the most out of their spiritual journey and bring them closer to their loved ones during Ramadan through the powerful medium of music and prayer. This award truly bears testament to our success in uniting friends and family and providing them with a source of inspiration and comfort during this important religious time,” said Ahmed Bukhatir.

The company recently welcomed Ahmed Bukhatir as its new brand ambassador, in a collaboration that will provide du customers with access to the popular Al Munshed’s spiritual works. Ahmed Bukhatir has been one of the pioneers of Nasheed, an Islamic art in which an artist sings without any musical instrument. The content on offer included music downloads of all 10 Nasheeds from Bukhatir’s seventh album, ‘Moments with Allah’, including the popular new Nasheed, ‘Moth Arafto Allah Rabbi’, meaning ‘Since I came to know my God’.

The MENA Cristal Festival was founded in 2005 with the aim of introducing a new and ambitious competition for advertising in all North African and Middle Eastern countries. It rewards the best advertising creations with the famous Cristal trophy, in the same fashion as the Cristal Festival in Switzerland on which it is modelled. This event gathers all the communications actors in the world: advertising agencies, advertisers, producers, directors, media, survey companies and TV producers, among others, and the aim of the festival is to associate creativity and business, and to promote Arabic advertising creativity.
 

4 Films From Dubai International Film Festival, Gulf Film Festival Screening At Prestigious Hot Docs Festival In Canada

Four compelling documentaries from the Dubai International Film Festival and the recently concluded Gulf Film Festival, including two focused on the Arab world and three UAE co-productions, will screen this week in Toronto as part of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

The films, which will screen at North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, until May 8, 2011, include the award-winning Zelal, directed by Cairo-based filmmaker Marianne Khoury and Tunisian-French director Mustapha Hasnaoui; This is My Picture When I Was Dead by Jordan-born, Netherlands-based Mahmoud Al Massad; Koundi and The National Thursday by Cameroons director Ariane Astrid Atodji – all screened at DIFF 2010; and Love Arranged by Dubai-based director Soniya Kirpalani, which made its world premiere at GFF 2011.

DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said: “The Dubai International Film Festival and Gulf Film Festival work hard to showcase the best in cinema from the Arab world, Asia and Africa. We are proud to see four of our films selected for this prestigious festival, and proud to serve as a stepping stone for regional filmmakers to take their talent to a global audience.”

Zelal, a co-production of the UAE, Egypt, France and Morocco, won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Documentary at DIFF 2010, and is a hard-hitting reportage on the lives of people 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 members are stretched beyond breaking point, therapy and treatment seems non-existent.

Co-produced by UAE, USA and The Netherlands, This is My Picture When I Was Dead won the Muhr Arab Documentary First Prize at DIFF 2010. The documentary is about Bashir, now 29 years old, who digs through his past to find his true life after the press reported that he was killed as a four-year-old during the assassination of his father, a top Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) lieutenant. The film is highly original, often surreal and a truly novel experimentation.

Both Zelal and This is My Picture when I was Dead were co-produced by the Festival’s Enjaaz post-production fund, and participated in DIFF’s Dubai Film Connection and Dubai Filmmart.

An entry from Cameroon, Koundi and the National Thursday won the Special Jury prize at the Muhr AsiaAfrica documentary segment at DIFF. It depicts the life of villagers in Koundi, which is rich in timber. Gorgeously shot, the documentary 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.

A co-production of UAE, UK and India, Love Arranged is about Divya and Neha, two internationally educated, beautiful Indian women, who prefer taking the arranged marriage route despite being daughters of love marriages. Sharing their humorous yet humbling journey to find ‘a suitable boy’, the documentary reveals a socio-cultural fabric still stained with dowry, colour and communal discrimination.

The Hot Docs festival will be held until May 8, 2011, and includes more than 150 cutting-edge documentaries from around the globe.

The seventh edition of the Dubai International Film Festival screened 157 films from 57 countries. DIFF 2010 included 41 world premieres, 13 international premieres, 58 Middle East premieres and 32 Gulf premieres. Nearly half of the films – 70 – were from the Arab world.

The eighth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival will be held from December 7 to 14, 2011. DIFF is held 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 Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

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

The Address Dubai Mall and The Address Montgomerie Dubai win top laurels at prestigious Arabian Property Awards

The Address Dubai Mall and The Address Montgomerie Dubai, the five star premium hotels owned and operated by The Address Hotels + Resorts, have won important laurels at the Arabian Property Awards 2010.

The Address Dubai Mall, linked directly to the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, won the Highly Commended Award for Best Hotel Construction & Design (Over 50 Rooms); and The Address Montgomerie Dubai, the first retreat style property in The Address portfolio, was adjudged the Highly Commended Award for Best Golf Course in Dubai.

Mr Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “The Address Hotels + Resorts have set a distinct imprint in the hospitality sector of the region in a short span of time. The Arabian Property Awards for our hotels reiterate the top-notch standards of the properties in design, location and service. These unique features enable us to ensure tangible benefits for all our guests.”

He said: “The two award-winning hotels have distinctive personalities; one is centrally located in the city adjoining The Dubai Mall offering guests the convenience of easy shopping, while the other offers a unique lifestyle experience set amidst the rolling greens and fairways of The Montgomerie Dubai golf course.”

Mr Stefan Viard, Resident Manager of The Address Dubai Mall and Mr Ed Edwards, General Manager of The Address Montgomerie Dubai received the honours from Mr Stuart Shield, Property Awards Chairman, at a gala ceremony held recently.

The Arabian Property Awards, organised in association with Bloomberg Television, is part of the International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious competition dedicated to finding the best real estate professionals across the globe. The winners were adjudged by a panel of eminent professionals drawn from around the world.

Adjudged as ‘Dubai’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’ at the World Travel Award 2010 in less than one year of opening, The Address Dubai Mall is located in Downtown Dubai. It provides stunning views of The Dubai Fountain – the tallest performing fountain in the world, and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Designed in light wood furnishing, all 244 rooms and suites in the hotel have rich interiors. The rooms have avant-garde features including flat screen TVs, complimentary wireless Internet access, iPod docking stations and gourmet coffee and tea machines.

An idyllic golf retreat and winner of the ‘Best Golf Retreat in the Middle East’ at the World Travel Awards, The Address Montgomerie Dubai accomplishes perfect harmony by combining premium golf in sublime surroundings. An exclusive retreat with luxury lifestyle amenities, the property offers one of the most luxurious golf experiences in the Middle East.
 

Emirates’ Long-Term Environmental Commitment At Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa Wins Prestigious Global Accolade

Emirates’ decade long commitment to sustainability and the environment at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai has been rewarded with one of the most prestigious global awards in the travel and tourism industry.
Emirates Hotels & Resorts was honoured with the Conservation Award at the 2010 World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit, held this year in Beijing. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are the WTTC’s highest-profile global accolade, recognising best practices in sustainable tourism development, conservation and bio-diversity protection.
 
Within the Emirates Group, Emirates Hotels & Resorts (EH&R) encompasses three major conservation projects spread across three continents: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia and the forthcoming Cap Ternay Resort & Spa in the Seychelles.
 
Hans Haensel, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Destination and Leisure Management stated: “Emirates has taken environmental commitments seriously; and our resorts and their conservation work form a central focus of our corporate environmental policy. Across the whole organisation we are continuing to search for ways to improve environmental performance – on the ground and in the air.”
 
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC said: "The Conservation Award, is one of four award categories, and is awarded to hotels and tourism organisations which have demonstrated that their tourism developments and operations have directly contributed to conservation of natural habitats, biodiversity, and wildlife protection. Emirates Hotels & Resorts is a pioneer in this space and has also clearly demonstrated this through its commitment to sustainable development practices, and supports cultural heritage across all their properties".
 
Mr. Haensel added: "We are extremely proud to receive this award; it is real recognition for over ten years of valuable work at Al Maha, and more recently at Wolgan Valley, Australia, which has led to the creation of new wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and the protection of endangered species in Dubai. This award recognises the increasing awareness of environmental sustainability in tourism, where it is no longer an option; but a basic expectation.”

Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa was Emirates’ first resort and was designed and built following the principles of environmentally sustainable development. The experience at Al Maha and the technology advances over the past decade contributed to even greater efficiency, which has continued at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, which opened only in October 2009, and is already the first hotel in the world to be certified carbon neutral by an internationally accredited organisation.

“Our philosophy centres on the two most critical global environmental issues; bio-diversity extinction rates and carbon emissions reduction. 

“Al Maha has been instrumental in creating the conservation reserve within which it is set, and we continue our dedication to that cause on an ongoing basis. By staying with us, guests actively support desert conservation programmes, as a portion of our turnover is put directly into conservation projects.”

Large scale habitat rehabilitation programs are also ongoing, including the propagation of over 6,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses, and the re-introduction of the regions’ first free-roaming herds of endangered Oryx and many other indigenous wildlife species, Al Maha is a haven of protection, with an ever-growing diversity of large and small mammals and the wildlife of Arabia.
 
Ongoing collaborative research is also in place at each destination, and these efforts have been acknowledged by such organisations as UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and the World Heritage Committee.  
 
“Our greatest wish is that the global hotel industry makes the changes necessary to protect the natural and historic environments which have attracted travellers for decades. It is only with a commitment to protect our naturally beautiful locations across the world, such as Al Maha, that our industry can continue to grow and thrive” concluded Mr. Haensel.
 
For further information on Emirates Hotels & Resorts conservation policies and work at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa please visit:
www.emirateshotelsresorts.com

 

University Of Dubai Team Wins The Prestigious DIFC Globe For Its Report On DP World!

The University of Dubai (UD), a prestigious academic institution established by Dubai Chamber, once again proved its mettle when its team of five students was awarded the prestigious DIFC Globe for their outstanding equity research report and presentation on DP World at the final event of the Global Investment Research Challenge.

The panel of judges evaluated the participating teams from the university, and other well known academic institutions in Dubai, on the basis of their investment case, presentation skills and ability to answer multiple challenging questions from the panel. The UD team was awarded first place based on their overall performance in the competition.

Dr M. Omar Hefni, President of the university, stated: “Once again our students have proved the credentials of our institution and have added a feather to its cap. I take this opportunity to congratulate the award-winning team and wish them every success in the future. Other students will surely draw inspiration from their success which shows that hard work and dedication truly pays. This award once again underlines our commitment to impart top level education to our students and prepare them for the corporate world.”

The award-winning team of students was from the Finance and Banking Department of the College of Business Administration at UD and they were participating for the first time in the Global Investment Research Challenge. The participating students were: Ahmad R. Esmaeel, Deema Nabil Hassan, Najat Kassem Lezziek, Samer Ali and Souheila Issam. A faculty representative from the university, Dr. Reza Chowdhury, and an external mentor, Prabhakar K. (CFA, FSA and CISA), partner and CEO of Moricon International, provided the necessary guidance to the team to carry out their research. The UD team presented and defended its report to a panel of independent judges at the Emirates Towers, Dubai.

The winning team, while expressing their delight, also said they felt deeply honored to have won such a prestigious award in recognition of their entrepreneurial abilities. They thanked the university for trusting their abilities and giving them the opportunity to participate in such a competition. They extended their congratulations to all UD students, saying they should feel proud to be part of such an esteemed institute which encourages top quality research that can have worldwide impact. They hoped that the award would go a long way towards inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and achieve equal entrepreneurial success.

The distinguished panel of judges included Deon Vernooy, Senior Executive Officer at Emirates Investment Services Limited, Ashok Talukdar, Assistant Advisor for Treasury in the Evaluation & Follow-up Department at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Redwan Ahmed, Industrial Analyst at EFG Hermes and Yacoub H. Nuseibeh, President of CFA Emirates.

This initiative, organized by CFA Emirates, was first set up in 2002 by the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) – a member society of the CFA Institute – in order to promote best practices in research among the next generation of financial analysts and to provide students with an insight into the investment industry.
 

Emirates’ Long-Term Environmental Commitment At Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa Wins Prestigious Global Accolade

Emirates’ decade long commitment to sustainability and the environment at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai has been rewarded with one of the most prestigious global awards in the travel and tourism industry.
Emirates Hotels & Resorts was honoured with the Conservation Award at the 2010 World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit, held this year in Beijing. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are the WTTC’s highest-profile global accolade, recognising best practices in sustainable tourism development, conservation and bio-diversity protection.
 
Within the Emirates Group, Emirates Hotels & Resorts (EH&R) encompasses three major conservation projects spread across three continents: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia and the forthcoming Cap Ternay Resort & Spa in the Seychelles.
 
Hans Haensel, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Destination and Leisure Management stated: “Emirates has taken environmental commitments seriously; and our resorts and their conservation work form a central focus of our corporate environmental policy. Across the whole organisation we are continuing to search for ways to improve environmental performance – on the ground and in the air.”
 
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC said: "The Conservation Award, is one of four award categories, and is awarded to hotels and tourism organisations which have demonstrated that their tourism developments and operations have directly contributed to conservation of natural habitats, biodiversity, and wildlife protection. Emirates Hotels & Resorts is a pioneer in this space and has also clearly demonstrated this through its commitment to sustainable development practices, and supports cultural heritage across all their properties".
 
Mr. Haensel added: "We are extremely proud to receive this award; it is real recognition for over ten years of valuable work at Al Maha, and more recently at Wolgan Valley, Australia, which has led to the creation of new wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and the protection of endangered species in Dubai. This award recognises the increasing awareness of environmental sustainability in tourism, where it is no longer an option; but a basic expectation.”

Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa was Emirates’ first resort and was designed and built following the principles of environmentally sustainable development. The experience at Al Maha and the technology advances over the past decade contributed to even greater efficiency, which has continued at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, which opened only in October 2009, and is already the first hotel in the world to be certified carbon neutral by an internationally accredited organisation.

“Our philosophy centres on the two most critical global environmental issues; bio-diversity extinction rates and carbon emissions reduction. 

“Al Maha has been instrumental in creating the conservation reserve within which it is set, and we continue our dedication to that cause on an ongoing basis. By staying with us, guests actively support desert conservation programmes, as a portion of our turnover is put directly into conservation projects.”

Large scale habitat rehabilitation programs are also ongoing, including the propagation of over 6,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses, and the re-introduction of the regions’ first free-roaming herds of endangered Oryx and many other indigenous wildlife species, Al Maha is a haven of protection, with an ever-growing diversity of large and small mammals and the wildlife of Arabia.
 
Ongoing collaborative research is also in place at each destination, and these efforts have been acknowledged by such organisations as UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and the World Heritage Committee.  
 
“Our greatest wish is that the global hotel industry makes the changes necessary to protect the natural and historic environments which have attracted travellers for decades. It is only with a commitment to protect our naturally beautiful locations across the world, such as Al Maha, that our industry can continue to grow and thrive” concluded Mr. Haensel.
 
For further information on Emirates Hotels & Resorts conservation policies and work at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa please visit:
www.emirateshotelsresorts.com

 

Atlantis, The Palm Joins Emirates’ Prestigious Skywards Programme

Atlantis, The Palm continues to strengthen its position as an icon of Dubai by teaming with Emirates, the leader of air travel to the Emirate, by becoming a partner in the prestigious Skywards Programme. Guests of Atlantis will earn Skywards Miles throughout the resort, and depending on the level of the Membership, guests and visitors will be able to enjoy additional benefits throughout Atlantis, the first truly integrated entertainment destination resort in the Middle East, therefore giving Members the unique opportunity to both earn Miles and enjoy benefits.

A Skywards Member staying at Atlantis, The Palm will receive 1 Skywards Mile for each $US1 spent when booking via the Atlantis website (Atlantisthepalm.com) or by calling Atlantis reservations direct at +971 4 426 1000. To celebrate the partnership, Members who stay at Atlantis between now and 31 August 2010 will earn triple Skywards Miles. In addition, Members that are staying at the resort can earn miles on all dining experiences, from contemporary gastronomic cuisine by three star Michelin Chef Santi Santamaria, and cutting edge sushi by world-class Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to family-style authentic Italian in Ronda Locatelli by Chef Giorgio Locatelli and French flavours by Parisian Chef Michel Rostang.

Resort guests can also earn miles when enjoying the Atlantis Spa, where guests can discover the ultimate indulgence in a haven of tranquillity and well-being and earn Miles as they discover the fun and education of a dolphin interaction at Dolphin Bay. Resort guests can also earn Miles on retail purchases, telephone calls and laundry charges when charged to the Member’s guest room.

In addition, depending on the level of membership, Skywards Blue, Silver or Gold, each level offers a greater degree of privilege as a guest or visitor to Atlantis, The Palm. Members can enjoy preferential rates at The Atlantis Spa, The Lost Chambers, Ray Feedings and Back-of-House Tours, Aquaventure, and Dolphin Bay, including preferred check-in at both Aquaventure and Dolphin Bay. Members can also benefit from discounts throughout the dining experiences at Atlantis, and complimentary internet access. Depending on the level of membership, guests may enjoy a complimentary upgrade, preferred resort check-in and late check-out.

“We are delighted to welcome Atlantis, The Palm as our newest hotel partner. Our members can earn Miles, and enjoy discounts and upgrades (depending on the level of membership) at the luxurious resort. We are always looking for new ways to make Skywards’ membership more valuable to our members. This partnership will allow our members, both in the UAE and those coming to Dubai, to enjoy all that Atlantis, The Palm has to offer,” said Brian LaBelle, Skywards’ Senior Vice President.

“Atlantis is thrilled to partner with Emirates on their Skywards Programme,” commented Brett Armitage, Senior Vice President, Sales at Atlantis, The Palm. “Atlantis is always looking for ways to add value for our guests and a partnership with Skywards allows for guests not only to earn Miles while they enjoy Atlantis but also benefit from a wide variety of privileges.”

Atlantis, The Palm transports guests into a dazzling, imaginative world, encompassing a 46 hectare site with 17 hectares of water themed amusement at AQUAVENTURE, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-aired marine habitat second only to Mother Nature, a seemingly endless stretch of beach, luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices including four celebrity chef restaurants, an exciting nightlife experience, a Spa and Fitness Centre, and 5,600m² of meeting and function space. With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, the opening of Atlantis was a landmark event, redefining tourism in Dubai as the first truly integrated entertainment resort.

To avoid disappointment, reserve your room early at Reservations@atlantisthepalm.com or by calling +971 4 426 1000 or book online at atlantisthepalm.com to begin enjoying this summer at Atlantis.
 

du Awarded Prestigious ISO 27001:2005 For Its Information Security Management System

In a testament to the company’s advanced security model and policies, du today announced that its Information Security Management System has been awarded the prestigious ISO 27001:2005 Certification. The Certificate was handed over to du’s CEO Osman Sultan in the presence of Walid Kamal, Senior Vice President, Technology and Security Risk Management, du, by RS Mani, Area Technical Manager, Middle East and Africa, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd.

Congratulating his assembled colleagues at the event, Sultan said: “Our lives today rely on various communication services such as mobile banking and internet banking, and offering technologically secure services is at the heart of what we strive to offer to our customers. Today is a culmination of all the hard work contributed by our Technology òSecurity and Risk Management Team over the past years, especially talented Emirati nationals who led this achievement.”

With this certification, we are now set to start a new chapter by offering customised technology security services to businesses, and we will share further details in due course, he added.

Some of the prominent Emirati du personnel from the Technology and Security Risk Management department at du, who contributed to the completion of this landmark project, included Hiba Abdelghani, Technology Audit Specialist – Graduate Trainee at du’s Masar Programme, Saeed Salahdin – Technology Security & Risk Management Coordinator and Ibrahim Al Mallouhi – Director Risk Management and Quality Assurance.

Commenting on this milestone achievement, Walid Kamal, Senior Vice President, Technology and Security Risk Management, du, said: “Today is a proud moment for all of us at du, and this certificate is a genuine validation of comprehensive security strategy and program initiated in 2006 setting up converged security organisation, management system and process.”

Basem Obaid, Area manager, Middle East and Africa, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd, said: “The win is well-deserved for du. The team at du demonstrated exceptional commitment in the run-up to the certification, which brings to light the depth and maturity of its management team, and how they value information security as one of the key business pillars. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

ISO 27001:2005 is an international standard prepared to provide a model for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
The governing principle behind ISMS is that an organisation should design, implement and maintain a coherent set of processes and systems to manage risks to its information assets, thus ensuring acceptable levels of information security (usually summarised as confidentiality, integrity and availability).

The ISMS enables organisations to deploy safe working practices that are well established, these practices reduce risks to information and its protection through standard processes and policy frameworks.
 

du Wins Prestigious 2009 Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award

Besting a field of top-notch international competitors, du and its suppliers VOSS and Cisco have been awarded the highly-coveted 2009 Innovation Award by Global Telecoms Business (GTB) magazine. The award recognises du’s implementation of an industry-leading Unified Communication service delivery platform (UC SDP) and is proof that du’s innovative approach to integrated telecommunications is being acknowledged and recognised.A must-read for telecommunications industry leaders around the globe, GTB magazine began its Innovation Award programme in 2007. A panel of judges selects winners from among hundreds of ground-breaking projects involving telecommunications operators and service providers world-wide, in association with their vendors and suppliers.du has quickly consolidated its position as the forward-thinking telecommunications provider of the UAE, providing smart, user-friendly telecom solutions to individuals, homes and businesses, as well as carrier services and broadcast services. du’s success is borne out in rapidly-growing demand for its products and services. Determined to meet that demand without sacrificing its commitment to personalised customer care, du migrated to a Cisco Hosted Unified Communications solution which included the VOSS pre-integrated service delivery platform.“By partnering with cutting-edge companies like Cisco and VOSS, we have secured a meaningful competitive advantage that translates to real-world convenience and state-of-the-art, bespoke service packages for our discerning customers,” said Farid Faraidooni, EVP Commercial, du. “We’re honoured by the international recognition that the GTB award represents, and above all, honoured by the trust and loyalty of our clientele, who inspire us to keep raising the bar on our world-class telecom product and service offerings.”The award-winning du system is an integrated, next generation solution that grows along with the company, enabling it to customise new and enhanced packages for customers according to evolving requirements. The system helps du stay agile in a fast-moving market, streamlines its operations and provides a consistent user interface.Highlights of the du system include:
· A fully-automated, centralised management platform that enables non-technical staff to add new customers and complete maintenance and adaptations in real-time, leading to dramatic cost and time savings
· A fully outsourced, centrally managed Internet Protocol (IP) communications environment that provides customers with a rich voice, video and web experience, with business-ready UC features
· The flexibility to create advanced UC services in a matter of days and deliver them to customers on-demand, with little systems integration
· The capacity to actively promote the managed service offering, with full confidence that there are no longer any issues with capacity or a limited service offeringThe GTB Innovation Award is a prestigious addition to du’s impressive collection of accolades in multiple categories. A relative newcomer to the telecommunications scene, du continues to demonstrate that it is the telecom service provider to watch in the MENA region and beyond.