FEATURE STORY: Roadshows held in Sharjah (Oct 8) and Dubai (Oct 14)

The UAE 2004 Educational IT challenge was recently launched under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and is a partnership of Zayed University, United Arab Emirates University, Knowledge Village and the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Industry supporters of this event are Damas, Samsung, Gargash Enterprises, National Bank of Dubai, Synergy Professional Services, Kanoo Group, Dubai Duty Free and Al Arabiya.

On October 8th, students and staff from Secondary Schools, Colleges and Universities met at Sharjah Women's College of Higher Technology and were given details of the 2004 IT Challenge. Ged Ryan, Head Educational Technology of SWC officially welcomed the many guests.


Samsung presented TWO of the very latest,
smallest and fastest laser printers on the
market, and these were presented to
lucky winners.
In addition, Giodarno provided a number of
gift certificates which were drawn and
presented by Ged Ryan to the lucky winners.
On October 14th another roadshow presentation was held at Dubai Women's College of Higher Technology. John O'Hara, Head, officially welcomed the many guests and sponsors. Those sponsors present at the roadwshow were
  • Mr. Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director - Damas (Diamond Sponsor)
  • Vivek Sharma, Sales manager - Samsung (Platinum Sponsor)
  • Ramesh Cidambi, Senior Manager - Dubai Duty Free (Support Sponsor)
  • Melad Ghabriel, Managing Director - Synergy Professional Services (Support Sponsor)

After the introduction by John O'Hara of DWC, Gary Johnson, Head of Educational Technology at Abu Dhabi Women's College and member of the IT Challenge organizing committee gave an overview of the IT challenge. This was followed by short presentations from each of the sponsors.

The head table, from left to right,

  • Melad Ghabriel, Managing Director - Synergy Professional Services
  • Gary Johnson, Head, ADWC
  • Kashmira Tamhane, 20/20 Management
  • Mr. Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director - Damas
  • Vivek Sharma, Sales manager - Samsung
  • Ramesh Cidambi, Senior Manager - Dubai Duty Free

At the conclusion of the roadshow, sponsors were invited to select a number of prizes which were given to selected attendees.

Mr Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director of Damasc presented ten stunning pearl bracelets from Damas to lucky winners.
Donated by Samsung was the very latest, smallest and fastest laser printer on the market. Vivek Sharma of Samsung presented the laser printer to its lucky winner.

Three fantastic gift packs, donated by Dubai Duty Free were presented to three winners by Ramesh Cidambi of Dubai Duty Free.

Melad Ghabriel of Synergy Professional Services presented a number of gift vouchers from Giodarno.

We would like to express our appreciation for the most generous support of Damas, Samsung, Dubai Duty Free, Synergy Professional Services and Giodarno for arranging the prizes and participating in the roadshows. We would also like to express our thanks to the staff at Sharjah Women's College and Dubai Women's College (in particular Ged, Aziz, Olga, John, Behjat, Anas, Gillian, the student M/C's and helpers) in organizing the roadshows.