Intel Centrino mobile technology provides a creative challenge for UAE youth

The contest was organized jointly by Abu Dhabi Women's College, Intel Corporation and Toshiba to help enhance students' awareness of the implications of mobile computing, and to encourage locally inspired visuals on the many possible usages, both real and imagined, of mobile technology in daily life in the UAE.

A total of 5 short videos and 7 posters qualified to participate in the competition. The winning video, entitled "Enjoy your work" was directed by 3rd year Media Production student Wedima Al Balooshi. The video emphasizes opportunities provided to workers utilizing mobile computing. It follows 3 young women who have the freedom to enjoy their hobbies on a day off, before connecting wirelessly from a shopping mall to attend an important meeting.

The winning poster designed by 3rd year Graphic Design student, Maha Al Hameli is called "Feeling held back?" and provides a humorous look at an Emirati man struggling with the limitations of electrical and networking wires, on a desert trip. Both winners receive a Toshiba Satellite M30 notebook, based on the Intel Centrino Mobile Technology. "This competition was a great way for us to get feedback about our innovations from the UAE's young people" said Ahmed Khalil, regional manager of Toshiba Computer Systems. "By placing such a clear emphasis on wireless mobility, Intel's vision is synergistic with Toshiba's philosophy that mobile computing is the way of the future, mobile computing will certainly make life much easier for the new generation, as we continue to innovate and evolve our notebook designs."

Sharon Buchanan, faculty from the Communication Technology department, noted that "we wanted the students to explore these issues and envisage how they might impact on their own lives or the lives of family and friends. We felt this project provided an exciting creative challenge, enabling the students to express their ideas about wireless computing using images from UAE culture. Some of the students' videos and posters express imaginary, futuristic ideas while others explore the current benefits of having access to mobile technology. We feel the students succeeded in finding innovative, imaginative ways to visualize mobile computing and technology in the Arab world."

"Intel Centrino Mobile Technology is supporting a transformation for computer users around the world", said Gilbert Lacroix, Intel's president in the Middle East and North Africa. "It is changing the way we learn, work and play, and enhances our quality of life in the 21st century. The students who entered this competition have perceived this change and were able to translate it into creative matter. We are delighted by the quality of the work that was submitted, as they show that youth in the UAE can already see the different ways in which mobile computing fits into their culture and enhances their future."

The UAE is a pioneer in terms of mobility adoption, especially in education, where the deployment of mobile solutions enhances learning and prepares students for a smooth transition to the workplace. The on campus freedom provided by wireless networking is helping to promote new approaches to teaching and provides a powerful foundation for capabilities like videoconferencing and multimedia in the coming years. Students and faculty can access information from anywhere on campus, creating opportunities for new teaching methods, better collaboration, and increased productivity.