Jan 08, 2005 Newsletter

1. Key Dates for 2006 Challenge
Projects Open - February 2005
Official Launch - September 2005
Closing Date - February 15th (3pm) 2006
Finalists Announced - March 28th 2005
Project Exhibition - April 22/23 2006
Award Ceremony/Gala Dinner - April 23 2006

2. New Categories
In 2006, we have introduced a new category for e-commerce and e-portfolio projects created by students and teachers. This new category is in response to an increase of these type of projects submitted in 2004. Now these projects will be able to compete on equal terms with projects of the same type.

Additionally, we have created a separate category for "organizational" projects, which can be entered by private and educational providers. In 2004, a number of projects were received from outside the educational sector, and with the expansion of this category, these projects can compete with projects of the same type from existing providers such as colleges and universities.

You can read more about the new categories online at http://www.uaechallenge.com/faqcategories.htm

3. New Criteria
The UAE Challenge has always been concerned with international standards related to the evaluation of projects. New criteria have been developed for 2006 and the entry form has been redesigned to gather more specific information about the project. Small improvements have been made in the judging process, making the task of judging projects and mark verification simpler.

Together, these changes help maintain the high standards of the UAE challenge judging process, which exceeds standards set by similar international events.

You can read more about the new criteria online at http://www.uaechallenge.com/criteria.htm

4. Projects Registration Opening Soon
Project registration for the 2006 UAE Challenge will open soon. You will be able to create a user account by registering online. Once you have a user account, then you can enter/edit your project details. All registration is to be completed online and we do not accept entries by fax, email or post.

The closing date for entries is 3pm, February 15th 2006.

5. The California Challenge 2005
A new international challenge "The California Challenge" has opened. The aim is to accelerate the use of ICT for the economic benefit of citizens, businesses and cities. There are seven categories (including education) and prizes will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd places in each category. Entry is free. The award ceremony will be held at Stanford University in California, USA from August 17-21, 2005.

To read more about the California Challenge, visit http://www.TheCaliforniaChallenge.com

We encourage everyone who entered projects into the 2004 UAE Challenge to enter their project into the California Challenge. You can enter your project online at http://www.thecaliforniachallenge.com/entryform/step1.aspx

And that is all for this UAE Educational IT Challenge Newsletter.
If you have any questions, please email us at
uaechallenge@hct.ac.ae