Winners of Emirates Businesswomen's Award 2004 honored at award ceremony

Maha Jalal Al Noubani, Jordanian, Vice President of Al Jalal Electrical Trading Establishment, Sharjah, and Dr. Dorothy, Indian, who works as a Specialist Obstetrician and Gynecologist for Prime Medical Centre, and is Visiting Consultant at American, Welcare, Iranian and Belhoul International hospitals in Dubai, were selected as the winners following a rigorous assessment process by the judging panel.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman, Emirates Group, the Emirates Businesswomen's Award in to its second year is a joint initiative of the Dubai Quality Group and Shell.

Said Ahmed Al Banna, Chairman, Dubai Quality Group: "Our objective in associating with Shell Markets Middle East for this Award was to both, grow DQG's own objective as the organisation that provides the impetus for quality initiatives in Dubai, as well as honor women who have made extraordinary achievements in the business and professional arena. I would like to thank all the participants who applied for the award. This award not only recognizes the winners but is also a self-assessment tool for applicants for their continuous development.

Hussain Al Mahoumdi, External Affairs Manager, Shell Markets Middle East added: "Our aspirations as a company parallel the vision and strategy that this country's leadership has for the development of society throughout the UAE. By demonstrating the high quality of women in business and the professions in the UAE, by inspiring women to emulate those who receive the Awards, the Emirates Businesswomen Award clearly falls within the leadership's strategy and is an important step towards developing the full potential of the business community in the UAE. We are proud to be associated with it."

The five-member judging panel comprised well-known personalities who are themselves, well-known professional and business leaders. Heading the panel was Dr. Nadia Buhannad, Managing Director, Sikologia Consultancy and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, UAE University. The other members of the top-level panel were Dr. Khalid Khazraji, Undersecretary of Labor, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Dubai, Dr. Fatma Al Shamsi, Associate Dean, College of Business & Economics, UAE University, Mrs. Anita Mehra Humayoun, Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Mr. Mohammed Al Fahim, CEO, Al Fahim Group, Abu Dhabi.

"It was a difficult choice indeed to select the finalists for the Award - all the entries were of such a high standard. This emphasizes the caliber and the increasingly important role that women in the UAE play in the work environment, and the tremendous contribution they are making to the development of the business community in the country. The businesses, professional categories and nationalities represented in the applications were impressively diverse. On the one hand, there were applicants who deal in millions while on the other, there were those who had turned a hobby in the creative arts into business ventures. Undoubtedly, these women can set examples to their peers in the rest of the region," said Dr. Buhannad.

Following an initial review of all the entries, a list of 20 applications was assessed out of which three businesswomen and four professionals were shortlisted for site visits and interviews by the panelists. On May 13, the panel met to decide on one winner for each category and the selection of XYZ and ABC was unanimous.

As the Emirates Businesswomen Award is set to enter its third year, the core objectives of the Award will remain constant - to encourage women to participate in the economic development of the country, honour the contribution of those who have excelled in their field, and can be role models to women who nurture similar aspirations.