Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed honours winners of Ibda'a Awards 2008 at gala ceremony

Abdullatif AlMulla, Group CEO of Tecom Investments, and Dr Amina Alrustamani, CEO of Tecom Business Parks, as well as senior government officials and representatives of leading media organisations and academic institutions, attended the event.

An elite panel of judges from the International Advertising Association - UAE Chapter (IAA-UAE) selected winners in 10 categories, recognising outstanding media talent.

Following is the list of winners in the respective categories:

1. Journalism: Mona Hassan Abou Issa, MSA - Egypt.
2. Radio: Robert Leeroy Lim, Colegio De San Juan De Letran - The Philippines.
3. Animation: Hadeil Mahmoud, El Minia University - Egypt.
4. Graphic Design: Ganesh Nayak, Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Arts - India.
5. Analogue Photography: Muhammad Usman Jamshed, Punjab University - Pakistan.
6. Digital Photography: Khawla AlMarzooqi, Sharjah Women's College- UAE.
7. Print Advertising: Rachana Hakani, Sophia Polytechnic - India.
8. TV Advertising: Abdulla Bufaroosha, Dubai Men's College - UAE.
9. TV Documentary: Norah Samy Farahat, MSA - Egypt.
10. TV/ Feature: Roqiye Tavakoli, Sooreh University - Iran.

Additionally, an award for the 'Best UAE Project' from submissions of UAE-based university students was presented to Fatima Saleh, Sharjah Women's College - UAE.

This year, Ibda'a Awards received more than 2,200 entries from 25 countries including new entrants representing Brazil, Poland, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

Dr Amina Al Rustamani, CEO, Tecom Business Parks, said:

"This unique initiative of Dubai Media City is part of our commitment to bring together and create synergy between media industry leaders and fresh talent. We are delighted to witness the Ibda'a Media Awards emerge as a professional and credible platform for nurturing innovative industry talent. The awards also reflect the commitment of regional media giants to promote indigenous and international creativity."

Mohamed Al Mulla, Coordinator General of the Ibda'a Media Awards, said, "The seventh edition of the Ibda'a Awards registered an overwhelming response with creative and innovative works submitted from across the world, including the UAE. Talented youngsters who have won the awards and those shortlisted gain immediate industry recognition that will lead to promising careers with top tier media organisations."

"The Ibda'a Media Awards has significantly expanded its appeal to elicit response from several regions and the number of entries exceeding 2,200 justifies its prestigious status. We believe the awards will firmly position Dubai among key global media destinations while drawing budding talent to this region," he added.

The 2008 Ibda'a winners were awarded attractive prizes including internships with leading global media brands such as CNN, Arabian Radio Network (ARN), Xische Studios, Team Young & Rubicam, Motivate Publishing, Nikon, Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, CNBC and MBC.

Ziad Abdulla Galadari, Chairman, Galadari & Associates and Ziad Galadari Group, said, "We share a common vision with Dubai Media City in discovering, showcasing and fostering young media talent, a reason that has primarily motivated us to participate as presenting sponsors of the Ibda'a Media Student Awards for the second consecutive year. All the entries demonstrate ingenuity and innovation, which indicates the event has evolved into an effective platform for identifying and nurturing some of the world's most promising creative talent."

"The Galadari Group congratulates all participants and finalists in this year's edition of the Ibda'a Media Student Awards. We are confident these young stars will eventually achieve their ambitious career aspirations," he added.

The works of finalists are showcased in a week-long exhibition that will run until 29 November at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

Since its launch in June 2001 to discover, showcase and foster young media talent, the Ibda'a Media Student Awards have to date been presented to 57 winners. The initiative is organised annually by Dubai Media City in partnership with the International Advertising Association - UAE Chapter (IAA - UAE) and presenting sponsor Ziad Galadari Group. Ibda'a Awards 2008 was co-sponsored by AW Rostamani, DMI, Emirates NBD Bank, and OMD.