ITI hosts sponsor and partner ceremony for e-biz challenge

The Zayed University e-biz challenge, patroned by His Excellency Sheikh Nayan Mubarak Al Nayhan, Minister of Higher Education and President of Zayed University, enables regional students in higher education throughout the UAE and GCC to participate in an internationally recognised e-innovation challenge. The purpose of this Challenge is to identify and recognise future talent, the e-entrepreneurs of tomorrow, in the process linking e-innovative business ideas to national resources.

Industry leaders have partnered with the Institute for Technological Innovation and Zayed Univesity to promote and support the Challenge. Attending the ceremony were representatives from such industries as Dubai 2003, Lufthansa, AME Info, ARN Radio, Microsoft, Maktoob.com, Arabies Trends, Jumbo Electronics, and Tejari. Dr Hanif, Vice President of Zayed University along with Dr Abdullah Abonamah Director of the ITI were present to honour and thank the sponsors for generously giving up their time and resources to participate in the Zayed University e-biz challenge.

The sponsors from all industry sectors, conveyed what a marvellous opportunity it was to sponsoring an event that builds bridges between academia and industry and reaches out to the Arabic community in the region and enables industry to share knowledge and know how with the future generations of skilled professionals in this country.

Klaus Lovgreen CEO of AME Info and ITI's official Internet partner, said: "At AME Info, we see great value in building long term relationships, and who better to forge strong links with than the future entrepreneurs of the Middle East?

This partnership is a chance to offer students a useful, unique business resource which will allow them to understand the business, finance and economics of the region, and to try out our invaluable research tool.

The students are the future users of AME Info's services but we see no reason to wait until they take up positions in the private or government sector to offer them the free access to AME Info.com, as many will already be engaged in building business plans or writing business-oriented dissertations, for example.

Today, we are the preferred regional business information resource for top executives in and the region throughout all industries. By tapping into this audience, we hope to build a loyal user base at an early stage so they will keep using AME Info throughout their careers.

We are 100% behind local and regional government initiatives to create a strong and well-educated work force from within their own ranks.

And finally, in the near future, we intend to invite the best of these young e-entrepreneurs to come forward with their views on business, finance, economy and investment via AME Info, to act as a channel for their opinions, challenges and views.

Abdullatif Al Sayegh, Arabian Radio Network's managing director said: "We are very pleased to be in partnership with Zayed University for this event. We at ARN are committed to sharing all our knowledge and know-how with the future generations of skilled professionnals in this country. We offer continuous training to Zayed University students and hope that through this event budging talents will blossom and get their window to success."

"As the official carrier of the Zayed University e-biz challenge, we are honoured to be a part of this initiative and to encourage and support the e-entrepreneurs of tomorrow." said Uwe Wriedt, GM of Lufthansa.

The closing date for the challenge is 17/12/03 and to date there are 44 teams taking part from both the UAE and GCC universities and HCT's. Judging of the e-innovative business plans will take place in early January 2004, the judges comprising of representatives from our participating sponsors and partners will review the 8 page e-entrepreneurial business plans and decide on an overall winner.

A prestigious gala dinner will be held on 4th February 2004 in DWTC Dubai which will be attended by Sheikhs and Ministers from the UAE and GCC. Also present will be our industry partners and sponsors and all participating teams from the UAE and GCC university's and HCT's .