Mohammed bin Rashid attends GDMO’s annual media gathering; honours ‘Dubai Media Pioneers’

DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today attended the Government of Dubai Media Office’s (GDMO) annual media gathering.

The event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE; and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

During the gathering, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid honoured prominent Emirati media personalities for their pioneering contributions to local media development. An initiative of the Dubai Media Council, ‘Dubai Media Pioneers’ seeks to celebrate pioneering Emirati media professionals who have made significant contributions to the local industry’s development. The initiative seeks to raise the visibility of their contributions, enabling the industry to benefit from their expertise.

Commenting on the occasion, His Highn
ess Sheikh Mohammed praised the media’s pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s development journey. He commended the dedication of Dubai’s media pioneers, particularly at a time when today’s technological advancements were not available to them.

‘Emirati pioneers in the media industry have played a key role in building our media industry and introducing our culture, customs and vision to the world. Their commitment to telling the story of the country’s remarkable growth has significantly contributed to ensuring our achievements were recognised on the global stage. We extend our gratitude to them for their contributions, which continue to be cherished to this day.’

His Highness urged the younger generation to draw on the knowledge and experience of pioneering media professionals to boost the media sector’s competitiveness, in line with Dubai’s future aspirations.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed engaged in discussions with local media leaders and senior Arab and international media officials at the gathering, as well as
writers, thought leaders, content creators and social media influencers.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council; H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office; and Sheikh Walid bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the MBC Group, were also present at the event.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed said the ‘Dubai Media Pioneers’ initiative reflects H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s commitment to recognising and honouring key contributions to Dubai and the UAE’s progress. He praised the dedication of each individual towards the nation’s development.

‘We extend our gratitude to the media pioneers whose contributions have raised the country’s stature as a leader in the Arab media landscape. Today, as we strive to deliver impactful content, we draw inspiration from these trailblazing professionals. We
value their contributions and expertise which will inspire new generations to shape an even brighter future for the sector and help create a national media industry with global influence,’ Sheikh Ahmed said.

The ceremony, also attended by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, celebrated the contributions of Emirati media pioneers including writers, editors-in-chief, television and radio professionals, TV directors and presenters, among others. The attending media professionals expressed their gratitude to His Highness for his generous gesture.

Al Marri said the ‘Dubai Media Pioneers’ initiative, launched under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, aims to honour media professionals whose contributions have not only helped advance the media sector but also significantly raise awareness of the comprehensive progress seen across various sectors in the UAE and Dubai.

‘The Dubai Media Coun
cil is committed to nurturing a new generation of media leaders by identifying key strengths and areas for improvement. Our goal is to raise the sector’s standards to align with international best practices. Enhancing the capabilities of national media talent is one of the Council’s highest priorities. The experiences, knowledge and insights of media pioneers have created a strong foundation for innovation and progress in the industry,’ Al Marri said.

She added that the Dubai Media Council has released a special publication titled ‘Dubai Media Pioneers’ celebrating the media professionals who have been honoured. The book highlights key moments in their careers, which narrate the story of their dedication to the field. It also documents their journey across print, television, and radio, providing a comprehensive account of the contributions of these individuals who have tirelessly served the nation.

The media gathering was also attended by an array of media leaders and prominent personalities in Dubai, inclu
ding distinguished writers, editors-in-chief, and senior representatives of local media encompassing print, TV, radio, and digital platforms. Representatives from Arab and international media institutions based in Dubai were also present. Nehal Badri, Secretary General of the Dubai Media Council, and other council members also attended the event.

The media professionals attending the gathering expressed their delight in having the opportunity to meet H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. They also appreciated the insights shared by him about the media’s crucial role in social development and progress. They highlighted that Dubai’s supportive environment for the media community was a key factor in the city earning the title of the ‘Capital of Arab Media’.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Sharjah Archaeology to showcase discoveries in Uzbekistan

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Archaeology Authority is organising an exhibition in Uzbekistan showcasing archaeological discoveries from the Emirate of Sharjah.

The Silk Road House in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will host this exhibition from 18th April to 22nd May, 2024.

The exhibition features 121 unique archaeological pieces. These artefacts represent a curated selection from various historical periods in Sharjah, spanning from prehistoric times, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the pre-Islamic period all the way to the Islamic era.

‘The exhibition, which is scheduled to be held in Samarkand, aims to strengthen cooperation in archaeological research, exchange experiences, and conduct joint scientific research in cultural heritage,” said Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority.

‘The exhibition showcases the rich cultural, historical, and archaeological aspects of the UAE, allowing visitors to closely learn about the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Sharjah, its diversity, and history,’
he added.

According to the Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, the city of Samarkand was chosen to hold the exhibition due to its cultural and scientific significance on the Silk Road. It was a centre of science during the era of scientific prosperity and played an important role in connecting the East with the West. He also emphasised the significance of exhibitions in promoting tourism in the emirate and introducing the region’s civilisation.

‘The artefacts that will be displayed include a collection of discovered coins that played a role in trade along the Silk Road, including Kushan coins, Abbasid dirhams, and one Sughd copper coin, in addition to pottery collections discovered in Mleiha, which allow insight into Mleiha’s commercial role in the first centuries. B.C.E.,’ he added.

The Sharjah Archaeology Authority’s archaeological exhibition programme deserves special attention because it has organised several international exhibitions in Japan, Spain, and Belgium. Furthermore, the Au
thority gladly participated in other exhibitions, including the National Museum of Beijing, which showcased 14 archaeological pieces.

The Authority participated in an exhibition in Portugal at the National Museum of Archaeology in Lisbon, where it won five awards at the ‘Sharjah Archaeology’ exhibition at the Portuguese level in 2020, including first place from the Portuguese Association of Museology.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE President directs settling AED155 million in financial dues of resident students in government schools

ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued directives to settle the outstanding financial dues of UAE resident students registered in the country’s government schools for previous years of study at a total cost of AED155 million.

The initiative taken by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan epitomises the values of giving rooted in the UAE community and is part of his approach to provide support to students and enhance their drive to succeed in their studies.

The initiative covers students residing in the UAE and registered in UAE government schools, where all their outstanding dues for their studies until the 2023-2024 academic year will be settled, in coordination with the Emirates Schools Establishment.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Saif bin Zayed honours winners of Holy Qur’an Tahbeer and its Sciences Award

ABU DHABI: H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, honoured the recipients of the tenth session of the Holy Qur’an Tahbeer and its Sciences Award, themed “Year of Sustainability.”

Sheikh Saif extended recognition to the partners, supporters, and media professionals whose contributions were instrumental in the success of this session.

The Minister of Interior conveyed heartfelt congratulations to the winners and their families for their exceptional participation and exemplary performance in upholding the Islamic values and ethics encapsulated within the award.

Emphasising its role in nurturing generations on the moderate and tolerant tenets of Islam, His Highness expressed gratitude to all participants, partners, sponsors, distinguished scholars, and media professionals for their collective efforts in advancing the humanitarian objectives of the award.

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Award for Tahbeer for the Holy Qur’an and its Scie
nces, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed launched the award’s new visual identity, which reflects its main objectives, vision and directions in line with the vision of the United Arab Emirates and its cultural values.

The slogan’s vocabulary and components reflect the future vision towards more achievements, the importance of promoting knowledge, education, advanced science, sustainability, and positive values and ethics let the award remain a global beacon and a good effort in promoting cultural convergence between peoples.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Crown Prince Foundation Collaborates with Qantara for Youth Development


Amman: The Crown Prince Foundation inked a memorandum of understanding with the Qantara Center for Human Resources Development on Thursday to bolster collaborative efforts and foster the growth of youth.

The agreement, signed by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Tamam Mango, and the Center’s General Director, Rakan Rawad, outlines the Foundation’s commitment to offering technical assistance to the center’s teams, empowering them with expertise in digital manufacturing and 3D printing.

According to a press release, the memorandum also lays out plans for joint programs and activities aimed at supporting and amplifying the capacities of young individuals, steering their talents, honing their skills, and amplifying their positive influence within their communities.

Notably, the Crown Prince Foundation prioritizes initiatives in various governorates, striving to provide youths with quality opportunities through its offices dispersed across the Kingdom, thereby bolstering their competitive edge and enriching
local communities.

The Qantara Center for Human Resources Development, established in 2012 in Ma’an Governorate, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing the capabilities of young people and fostering their social, economic, and political engagement.

Earlier this year, the center inaugurated a business incubator and a digital manufacturing laboratory, aiming to furnish young people and emerging entrepreneurs with conducive workspaces.

Source: Jordan News Agency