Dubai Media City unveiled the 42 finalists' entries for the Ibda'a Media Students Awards 2008

The week-long exhibition, which runs until 29 November at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre from 9.00am to 5.00pm, has on display students' works that capture a personal interpretation of issues currently dominating their home countries.

Nora-Lee Wales, a student from South Africa, who qualified for the radio category, said:

"My submission began as a simple documentary about the radio station where I work expressing my love for the staff members of different backgrounds. It soon developed into an examination of personal identity in a country that still remains divided."

Egyptian student Rana Behairy, who made it to the graphic design category, said: "My work is a reflection of two completely opposite colours juxtaposed against each other forming a difference - black against white. It is racism interpreted and could be within an environment, whether you are coloured or not, or it could be psychological, internal or even run even within a family."

Many students entered the Ibda'a Awards on the encouragement of their university professors, who share a mission to discover, showcase and foster young media talent.

Khawla Abdallah Al Marzooki, a UAE national, said: "My professor persuaded me to submit my entry for the Ibda'a Awards and its selection in the digital photography category completely took me by surprise. My work, called Faces, is a compilation of six portraits. Through a blend of two mediums - painting and photography - I have tried to capture the inner personality of my role models."

Kathryn Jerry Perez from The Philippines, said: "My work is about the Las Piñas Boys Choir in the Philippines. They are a group of young boys with ages ranging from 8-16 years. I decided to use them as subject for my radio piece as they are one of the few surviving boys' choir and one of the finest in the world. I am proud to be chosen for display as part of the Ibdaa Media Awards not only for myself but for my country too."

Launched in June 2001, Ibda'a Media Student Awards recognises promising talent in 10 categories, including Animation, Analogue Photography, Digital Photography, Film/TV Feature, Graphic Design, Journalism, Print Advertising, TV Advertising, TV Documentary, and Radio.

Organised annually by Dubai Media City in partnership with the International Advertising Association - UAE Chapter (IAA - UAE) and presenting sponsor Ziad Galadari Group, the 2008 winners for the Ibda'a Media Student Awards will be announced at a gala ceremony on 27 November at the DMC Amphitheatre.

Prestigious prizes will be awarded to successful students, 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.

Co-sponsored by AW Rostamani, DMI, Emirates NBD Bank, and OMD, Ibda'a Awards 2008 received more than 2,200 entries from 25 countries including new entrants from Brazil, Poland, Sri Lanka and Sudan.