Dubai Summer Surprises launches Saudi & Kuwaiti apprenticeship programme

The DSS Apprenticeship program provides the selected students excellent opportunities for training and exposure in marketing and events management through an internship at the Dubai Summer Surprises, one of the biggest tourism success stories of the region.

"For the first time, we will be asking the region's top marketing students to work with us during this year's DSS by giving them an opportunity to gain experience and broaden their horizons in marketing, as well as events management. They will benefit greatly from their interaction with the people who have made DSS such a huge success," said Laila Suhail, DSS Executive Project Director.

DSS has chosen the American University of Kuwait, Kuwait University, and Dar Al Hekma College to participate in the program by nominating six of their best marketing students in each university. A distinguished panel of judges then evaluates the candidates based on their academic excellence, quality and originality of submitted essays, and character to determine the top student from each university who will be awarded the apprenticeship, including an all-expense paid trip to Dubai and first-class accommodation at the recently launched five star luxury hotel Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, which offers a complete leisure experience with world-class shopping and an unrivalled Alpine experience, featuring the world's third largest indoor ski resort and the biggest covered snow park.

We are very pleased to have been chosen to be part of this pioneering project. We would like to thank DSS for giving our students the chance to work with the people behind the success of this popular and highly anticipated summer fiesta. The students will benefit tremendously from their experience, and in the long-term uplift the quality of marketing and business administration education in Kuwait," said Joanne Hands, Career Counselor, at the American University of Kuwait.

Dr. Amani Mohammad, Director of the Business Program at Dar Al Hekma College also commented: "We would like to commend the DSS Organizing Committee for establishing a noteworthy apprenticeship program, which will give these students so much of experience and exposure that will definitely sharpen their perspectives. The knowledge and the insights gained from interacting with industry practitioners in Dubai are something that they can look back to for inspiration when they eventually join the industry either as professionals or entrepreneurs,"

All students will be allotted projects which will help them demonstrate their skills and abilities in making the summer event exciting for tourists from around the region.

Commenting on the program's potential impact to DSS, Ms. Suhail said, "This is also a great opportunity for us to learn how we can better customize our marketing efforts and communications to enhance the appeal of DSS to tourists from the region. We have so far done an excellent job in the past; we just need to raise the level of our strategy to ensure the continuing success of the program." Ms. Suhail also revealed plans to expand coverage of the Apprenticeship Program to the entire GCC.

DSS 2006 promises to be a bigger spectacle with a unique package of fun and exciting activities for the entire family through various thematic surprises in participating shopping malls all over the emirate. It opens with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority-organized Ice Surprises week on June 21 and continues with the weekly themes including the Arts Surprises organized by Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department from June 29 to July 5; International Food Surprises from July 6 to July 12, which is organized by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing who are also behind the DSS road shows held in GCC and other countries; Adventure Surprises organized by Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) from July 13 to 19; Cartoon Surprises organized by Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) from July 20-26; Nature Surprises organized by Dubai Police from July 27 to August 2; Knowledge Surprises organized by Land Department from August 3 to 9; Flower Surprises organized by Dubai Municipality from August 10 to 16; Heritage Surprises organized by Dubai Ports Customs and Free Zone Corporation from August 17 to 23 and the Department of Economic Development-organized Back-to-School surprises from August 24 to September 1.

Various shopping malls all over the city play host to a wide array of entertainment activities ranging from competitions to workshops during the summer extravaganza thus turning Dubai into a shoppers' haven yet again as parents too are excited to be a part of the overall festivities as they go on their annual shopping spree while their children enjoy the various entertaining activities at the shopping malls.

And for the GCC visitors it's a combination of business and pleasure as they get to attend various corporate meetings and conferences while their families enjoy some enthralling DSS events.

Besides the sales and discounts offered by various participating shopping malls, it's prizes galore from the Dubai Shopping Malls Groups (DSMG) promotion that offers attractive prizes running into millions during the course of DSS. With the purchase of a raffle ticket this summer, visitors can also participate in the Grand Dubai Summer Surprises Raffle offering trendy BMW cars plus cash prizes

While DSS is about 'Big fun for little ones,' there are also fantastic surprises that await the grown-ups, making this annual summer event a truly great family fiesta. A much anticipated addition to this year's festivities is a special Spas Promotion offering amazing treats from the best spas in Dubai. Residents and tourists from around the world now have a chance to cool down the summer heat, get pampered in luxurious surroundings, indulge in age-old traditional treatments and enjoy a cooling massage from world-class spas conveniently located around the metropolis.