Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - VCUQ, Doha - Gallery news: VCUQatar announces winners for the 2009 Design Competition for Qatar

VCUQatar announces winners for the 2009 Design Competition for Qatar (19.3.2009)

VCUQatar announces Design Competition winners for Qatar

Doha, Qatar - Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar announced the Qatar based winners of the 2009 Design Competition at a press conference held at VCUQatar.

The winning entries were Leila Ayman Natsheh from the Amna Bint Wahab School who came in first, Hena Najeeb Chirakuzhy (M.E.S. Indian School) in second place, Fareeha Zakri Ahamed (M.E.S. Indian School) in third, Marianne Janeen Bermejo (Al Khor International School) in fourth and Noor Shahda Al Khaloot (Al Iman Independent School) in fifth place.

Charles Bleick, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at VCUQatar, Dr. Saif Al Hajari, Vice-Chairman of Qatar Foundation and Mr. Ehab Selim, representing Regency Group Holding, presented the awards to the students and felicitated the participants and art teachers of the various schools as well. "This year's Design Competition provided young people from throughout the region the opportunity to respond to the type of design problem that designers deal with everyday. We are pleased that so many responded to this challenge. The award winners have demonstrated strong potential to succeed as designers," said Dr. Bleick in his opening remarks.

Dr. Al Hajari lauded the participants for their efforts elaborating on the importance of design in today's world and the contribution that future designers would be making. "Design is not just something that makes a product look good," he said. "If you look around, everything has an element of design. Design is a tool for the future," he added, applauding VCUQatar for their continuous efforts in looking for the best future designers. He also thanked Regency Group Holding for their support, commending their work in the country be it in realm of real estate, environment or sustainable design.

VCUQatar received 74 entries this year and representatives from the Ministry of Education, Qatar Foundation's Education Division, the Regency Group Holding and the Arts Faculty of VCUQatar judged the winning entries. Various other VCUQatar officials attended the judging and the reception. 'Better Living through Better Design' was the theme of the 2009 Design Competition and students were invited to design a solution or product that would improve everyday living keeping in mind the users' needs while incorporating environmentally conscious methods. "We are encouraged to see the outstanding ideas created by the students," said Allyson Vanstone, Dean of VCUQatar. "Their projects show great potential for our future designers in Qatar and the region," she added.

The annual Design Competition ran this year in Qatar, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen and Palestine and is open to students in their senior year of high school. Up to five winners are selected from each country and receive cash prizes of $1,000 for the first place, $800 for the second place, $600 for the third, $400 for the fourth and $200 for the fifth place. The winners are also eligible to compete for the two Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned Scholarships for Creativity to attend VCUQatar.

The 2009 Design Competition is sponsored by Regency Group Holding who are awarding the cash prizes. Regency Group Holding is a group of well-known companies excelling in the fields of real estate development and marketing, facilities management, tourism, travel and hospitality. The Group also boasts high caliber technical and professional experts, implements professional work regulations and aims to provide high quality services. "We are very pleased to be a part of a scholarship program that encourages design which is becoming such an important facet of the business world today," said a spokesperson for the group.

About Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar:
Established in the US in 1838 and in Qatar in 1998 Virginia Commonwealth University offers students from all over the world the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic and interior design. A team of highly skilled professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional design field of their choice. VCUQatar regularly organizes and hosts exhibitions, gallery events, world-class conferences and holds an annual fashion show. VCUQatar is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu or call +974 492 7245.

About Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people. The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.
For more information please visit: www.qf.org.qa

VCUQatar announces Design Competition winners for Qatar Press Release as pdf-File 116 KB

VCUQatar announces Design Competition winners for Qatar Press Release as pdf-File 106 KB in Arabic language

Images:
Charles Bleick, Dr Saif Al Hajari and Ehab Selim with the winners for Qatar (seated L to R) Marianne Bermejo (fourth), Noor Al Khaloot (fifth), Leila Natsheh (first) and Hena Chirakuzhy (second).

Charles Bleick, Ehab Selim and Dr Saif Al Hajari during the Announcement of the Design Competition winners for Qatar

Dr. Saif Al Hajari addressing the students