UAE Exchange Centre, the leading global money remittance brand from UAE, has won the prestigious Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES) Award, an initiative of the Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai, aimed at promoting excellence in customer service and recognizing businesses that provide outstanding service to the customer. At a high-profile function held yesterday at the Safina Ballroom, Jumeira Beach Hotel, HH Sheikh Saeed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the award to the UAE Exchange team represented by Mr. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, COO & General Manager.

Emcredit, the UAE’s first private credit information services company, announced today that it will provide credit information and risk assessment services to Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB). Under the terms of the agreement, Emcredit will initially offer reporting solutions in the area of cheque payment defaults by individuals and companies in the UAE.

Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) and International Gemological Institute (IGI) recently conducted a 3 weeks jewellery designing programme for professionals and jewellery enthusiasts. Conducted by professional coaches from IGI, the training programme was aimed at meeting the needs, requirements and design standards of the international jewellery industry.




“As jewellery customers have become more and more fashion conscious, there is a strong demand for unique and beautifully crafted designs, “said Swapna Nair, General Manager of Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group. “This has led to a renewed interest in jewellery design as a profession and we are committed to providing the best quality educational programmes in association with IGI to meet the needs of the industry.”





The programme is ideal for aspiring jewellery professionals, students, homemakers, and established designers who need that extra edge to stand out in the market or start a new business.





“Our jewellery designing programmes that were initially available only in India, have proved to be exceptionally successful in Dubai and we are happy at the positive response it has gained. Today, Dubai has become the center of our educational programmes for students from the U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Nigeria and many others. This further cements Dubai’s position as the regional industry hub, “says Roland Lorié, CEO, IGI.





Comprehensively packaged, the IGI Professional Jewellery Design Programme comprises study of the components of jewellery (gemstones and precious metals), principles, elements and inspirations of design, keeping practical limitations in mind.





Dr. Bharati S. Chavda of NMC Group who attended the programme commented, “I have always been interested in painting and designing but never really got down to nurturing my talent into a profession. Completing this course has helped me to learn all the basics of jewellery designing, and I hope to someday take my passion for designing to a new level. “





Aspiring jewellery designer from Sudan, Ms. Mona Kamal Ahmed came to know about the course while in her home country from an acquaintance who completed an IGI training programme in India.





“The course has helped me to understand the basics of jewellery designing and I look forward to attending more advanced level programmes,” said Ahmed.





IGI has been a pioneer in gemological courses that are today available in 11 languages targeting students from over 95 different countries.





“Our instructors are highly skilled gemologists and jewellery designers who have a single-minded objective to provide intense hands on experience that translate into a high level of student competence and expertise,” added Ms. Lata Manghnani, General Manager, IGI Dubai.





On the last day of the course, the students had the opportunity to interact with Chetan Karani, Joint Managing Director of Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group. He was impressed by the original ideas and enthusiasm of the students, most of them designing jewellery for the first time.





“The imagination and passion the students have shown is absolutely stunning. As Dubai looks to further develop the jewellery trade, it is essential to nurture this kind of talent. We will continue to guide the students as they embark on their career, “he said.





All students received a fully equipped design kit and complete Lab manual. On successful completion of the course, they were awarded the internationally recognized ‘Diploma in Professional Jewellery Design’ issued by IGI, Antwerp, Belgium.

MTV Arabia, the first youth entertainment lifestyle channel in the Arab Region, sent a lucky viewer to travel to Malta to attend the annual Isle of MTV festival, held on 25 June. Isle of MTV is an annual festival that gathers music fans and viewers of the iconic entertainment brand from around the world. Zihar Hamoud, an MTV Arabia viewer from Lebanon, was the first winner from the Arab world to attend.




Zihar was one of approximately 40000 fans to see Enrique Iglesias, Lady GaGa, OneRepublic and more take the stage at the event’s headline concert, which will be broadcast on MTV Arabia later this summer.




“MTV Arabia is keen to offer distinctive experiences to its viewers, and strives to bring the most popular musical events to Arab youth across the region. We most recently held a competition for viewers to attend the AKON concert in Dubai, and we will continue to televise the best events from around the world, such as the MTV Movie Awards,” said Samr Al Marzouqi, MTV Arabia Channel Manager.

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today launched non-stop service to Shiraz, Iran, from the carrier’s main hub in Sharjah. Flights will initially operate four times per week. The inaugural flight took off from Sharjah International Airport today and was received upon its arrival by Iranian delegates in Shiraz Airport.

Showtime Arabia, the leading Pay-TV network in the Middle East & North Africa, announced toady the launch of Showmovies Kids, the only ‘Family friendly’ 24 hour movie channel focused on delivering the best kids’ movies from around the world. The new channel is available to Showtime subscribers from 1st of July 2008. Showmovies Kids is designed to be family friendly and safe. The new channel will complement Showtime’s growing range of educational and entertaining content for children which now includes Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, Disney Channel, KidsCo, JimJam, The Cartoon Network, and Boomerang.




Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, President and CEO said: “Launching the first Kids’ only Movies Channel in the region adds to the best in Kids entertainment available on our network".




Showmovies Kids will offer safe premium entertainment with over 100 new movie premieres. Movies will be subtitled or dubbed in Arabic for added convenience and choice and will be shown without commercial breaks.




All current SHOWTIME customers will enjoy Showmovies kids at no additional cost, new movies will include:
• AIR BUDDIES
• BABE / BABE 2
• BARNYARD
• CASPER
• CHARLOTTE’S WEB
• EIGHT BELOW
• LAND BEFORE TIME XII
• MONSTER HOUSE
• PAWS
• RUGRATS: THE MOVIE
• THE SHAGGY DOG
• STUART LITTLE
• ULTIMATE AVENGERS 1,2 & 3
• WINNIE THE POOH
• ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE
• ZOOM
• BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM
• BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER
• BATMAN: MYSTERY OF THE BATWOMAN
• AMAZING PANDA ADVENTURE
• OLSEN TWINS: MARY-KATE & ASHLEY: FASHION FORWARD




Customers can find out more by reading the detailed information in the SHOWGUIDE, the monthly printed subscriber magazine. Alternatively, all information is available on the SHOWTIME website at: http://www.showtimearabia.com/

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today announced the launch of the region's first Museum of Middle East Modern Art. Located in Culture Village, on the banks of Khor Dubai (Dubai Creek) the museum has a striking design by world renowned architects, UN Studio, which brings together elements of the sea and Dubai's tradition of seafaring.



His Highness Sheikh Mohammed recently reviewed the plans and location of the museum. He was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Chairman of Dubai's Culture & Arts Authority, HE Mohammad AlGergawi, UAE Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of Dubai Holding and Hashim Al Dabal, Chairman of Dubai Properties Group (a member of Dubai Holding), developers of Culture Village and the new museum.



H. H. Sheikh Majid said: "The museum will be a manifestation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s strategic vision of making the UAE a hub for multicultural understanding. The museum will be a celebration of the region's artists and art. It will also celebrate Khor Dubai’s importance as a cultural hub within a Dubai as a global city.



The launch of the Museum of Middle East Modern Art comes in the wake of the decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed establishing Dubai’s Culture and Arts Authority and the recent launch of Khor Dubai project, aiming at highlighting the cultural diversity in the UAE.



The Authority has been mandated to collaborate with various stakeholders including developers such as Dubai Properties Group as well as other culture and arts institutes and government entities in order to ensure the development of all couture and arts projects in line with best international practices.



Culture Village will be located on 40 million square feet of land in the historic district of Jadaf. In addition to the Museum of Middle East Modern Art, the AED 50 billion landmark project will include an amphitheatre for live performances and international cultural festivals, an exhibition hall and smaller museums displaying local and international art, as well as a shipyard for traditional dhow builders. It will also include residential, commercial and retail zones



UN Studio, based in The Netherlands, has been selected to design the Museum. Ben van Berkel, the co-founder and Principal Architect of UN Studio is an experienced designer of museums and a variety of public buildings. Past examples include the Mercedez-Benz Museum, Stuttgart; Wadsworth Atheneum Museum, Hartford, USA; the renovation and extension of the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands.

The University Hospital, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center and part of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), organized a series of forums on nursing, including a segment on ‘Magnet’ principles, from 13-16 May to mark International Nursing Day. Scheduled to begin operations in early 2011, the 400-bed University Hospital (UH) will include a Center for Nursing Excellence, the first of its kind in the UAE, offering international best practices and education and research for enhancing nursing standards in the region.



Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City, said: “Demand for high caliber healthcare professionals, especially nurses, has grown significantly with the rapid expansion of the healthcare sector. Aiming to serve the community by setting up world class medical institutions, our mission at DHCC is to provide state-of-the-art services and facilitate its growth in the region.








“The University Hospital will be strongly positioned to play a key role in achieving our mission of offering high quality services in healthcare, research and education.”









The first of its kind in the Middle East, the nursing center at the University Hospital will be modelled on ‘Magnet’ principles. Magnet status is an award given by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC), an affiliate of the American Nurses Association, to hospitals that satisfy a set of criteria designed to measure the strength and quality of their nursing, and the hospital’s commitment to establishing nursing at a professional level.









A Magnet hospital is demonstrated to be one where nursing delivers excellent patient outcomes, where nurses have a high level of job satisfaction, and where there is a low staff nurse turnover rate and appropriate grievance resolution. Magnet status is also said to advance professionalism of nursing and involve nurses in critical decisions that improve patient care delivery.









Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, President of the Board of Directors of American Nurses Credentialing Centre, (ANCC), said: “The University Hospital has established a winning relationship with the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, which is a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. This unique synergy is designed to ensure that the planning for University Hospital is done in line with Magnet principles.”









While the first forum was a two day workshop on Magnet principles, the second forum on 15 May brought together top nursing leaders from around the globe as part of the Nursing Advisory Group that is currently visiting Dubai to design nursing strategies for clinical care, education and research at the University Hospital. The final day of the forum deliberated on ‘Nursing Excellence’.









Attended by over 400 nurses and allied health practitioners from across the Middle East and the USA, the nursing seminars were held in conjunction with Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (HMSDC) Institute for Postgraduate Education and Research, and University Hospital.
The panelists at the forum included renowned keynote speakers such as Dr. Linda Aiken, the Claire Fagin Leadership Professor of Nursing, Professor of Sociology and Director, Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at University of Pennsylvania; Debbie Hatmaker, President, ANCC, and Lauren Arnold, PHD, Chief Nursing Officer at University Hospital in DHCC.









James Kingsbury, CEO of University Hospital, announced: “Demonstrating our commitment to developing best nursing practices and delivering the finest patient care, with Magnet principles will allow nursing leaders to value staff nurses, involve them in shaping research-based nursing practice, and encourage and reward them for advancing in nursing practice. The University Hospital also launched the Nursing Scholar Program to award scholarships for high potential nursing leaders from the UAE for the purposes of creating skilled nursing leaders for the future.”
ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize health organizations for nursing excellence through the Magnet Recognition Program, and accredit providers and approvers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC offers an array of informational and educational services and products to support its core credentialing programs.









The University Hospital will serve as a regional center for high quality healthcare services, life sciences research, & postgraduate medical education. Construction of the 1.4 million square feet campus commenced in June 2007.

SHOOFtv.com, an Arabian Television Network online platform and the broadcast arm of Arab Media Group, is giving football enthusiasts the chance to win great EURO 2008 prizes, including a trip to Europe. In addition to the trip to Europe, SHOOFtv is also offering football fans the chance to win an official Euro Cup 2008 football, as well as goody bags from PUMA.

To win the trip to Europe, fans must upload video clips with a Euro Cup 2008 theme onto the SHOOFtv website before July 1st. The official Euro Cup 2008 football will be awarded to the best ‘hacky sack’ player while one lucky winner will walk away with a PUMA goody bag. PUMA will be handing over the prize to the winner for wearing PUMA apparel at the SHOOFtv Fan Park, located at Madinat Arena at the Madinat Jumeirah.

The Fan Park was especially constructed for the Euro 2008 games and is the largest gathering of Euro 2008 fans in Dubai.

SHOOFtv.com is the first ever Middle East user generated content site, encouraging young people in the region to express themselves in various contests such as ‘Say I Do’, for the best wedding video, and ‘Secret Recipe’, a contest for the best food recipes.

For more information, please visit http://shooftv.com/

The huge opportunities that the rapidly expanding facilities management market presents in the Middle East were highlighted today, when the region’s showcase industry event opened in Dubai. The third annual FM Expo was officially opened at Zabeel Hall in the Dubai International Exhibition Centre by Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.




Bin Sulayem was accompanied by Nick Webb, Director of Streamline Marketing Group, as he toured the exhibition, talking to representatives from FM companies, visiting their stands and showcasing the latest technology and FM solutions available.




The growing facilities management industry, estimated to be worth US$704 billion over the next 25 years by Middle East Strategy Advisors (MESA) is driven by the region’s maturing property market and ongoing construction boom, and is creating an outstanding opportunity for FM companies who can provide expert advice to property developers. Integration of facilities management in the early development stages can save developers millions of dollars over the long-term.




Organised by Streamline Marketing Group, the three-day event has attracted major players in the regional and international FM sector such as Operon, EMCO, BK Gulf, DuServe (Dubai World Central), EMCOR Facilities Services, Energy Management Services (EMS), Farnek Avireal, Idama, Emrill, Ngenox, EC Harris, Imdaad, Spectrum and many more.

Giordano Fashions Middle East, the exclusive distributors for Giordano in the Middle East launched their first BSX – Blue Star Exchange, store in the Region at the Badriya Towers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. BSX is one of the latest additions to Giordano International’s portfolio that also includes Giordano Concepts, Giordano Junior and Giordano Ladies.

Emaar Properties has announced a cash prize of AED 100,000 to the winner of a competition to name the world-class water, light and music spectacle in Burj Dubai Lake. The permanent water fountain to be operational by early 2009 is one of the finest water features in the world and is larger than The Fountains at Bellagio in Las Vegas.

The competition will be open to all UAE residents and will be held from July 1 to September 15, 2008. Individuals can suggest one name to be submitted on-line at http://www.emaar.com/. The portal will have a dedicated web-page for submissions, which will be operational by July 1. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges.




Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: “Emaar has launched this competition to name the fountain - one of our prestigious community projects - as part of the company’s commitment to involve members of the public and strengthen the spirit of community living.”




He added: “The fountain in Burj Dubai Lake is a spectacular social hub for the community and the involvement of the public in naming it, further highlights the cosmopolitan outlook of the UAE – a country that is home to over 180 nationalities.”




The fountain complements a diverse roster of attractions in Downtown Burj Dubai including Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building with an observation deck on level 124; The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations featuring the Aquarium, an Olympic sized ice rink and the world’s largest indoor gold souk; and various lifestyle events to be held at Burj Dubai Boulevard. Downtown Burj Dubai is Emaar’s flagship mega project with a development value of AED 73 billion (US$20 billion).