Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - VCUQ, Doha - Gallery news: VCUQatar Documentary Wins Emmy Award in Washington DC

VCUQatar Documentary Wins Emmy Award in Washington DC (4.8.2009)

For Immediate Release

VCUQatar Documentary Wins Capital Emmy at the 51st Emmy Awards

Doha, Qatar - VCU-TV/HD's Senior Producer Lisa Figueroa and Producer Jordan Rodericks won a Capital Emmy at the 51st Emmy Awards in the "Documentary - Cultural" category for their documentary titled "VCU Qatar". VCU-TV is the television imitative of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. It is a TV production operation run by students and one of the first in the United States to produced TV programming in the high-definition format.

VCU Qatar highlighted the 10 year anniversary of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar as it explored the university's rich history and featured interviews with VCU President Dr. Eugene Trani, Vice Provost for International Affairs and VCUarts Dean Dr. Richard Toscan and Qatar Foundation President Dr. Fathy Saoud. The documentary also highlighted VCUQatar's biennial Tasmeem Doha design conference and its impact on the students. The video focused on the education students at VCUQatar are getting and how they apply what they've learned in the workforce both during school and after graduation.

"When we sat at our table, number 21, we realized we were much closer than the year before and wee guessed it was a good sign," said Ms Figueroa of the Awards night. And it was indeed! Almost everyone at their table won that night. They started the documentary section of the evening and the Cultural category was the first to present. "The host said that there were three winners in our category. My first reaction to that was I hope we win because our chances just increased. Next thing I know they are calling out VCUQatar and our names. We were the first to win in our category. Jordan and I went on stage and accepted our awards. I was so excited I was shaking. It was an amazing moment and Jordan and I were very grateful to everyone that helped make it possible," added Ms Figueroa. Ms Figueroa and Mr. Rodericks came to Qatar in March of 2008 and filmed in Doha for two weeks. They received extraordinary support and help from VCUQatar, the Qatar Foundation, The Emiri Air Force and the Qatar Armed Forces.

More than 400 broadcasters from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia gathered for the 51st Emmy Awards held at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC. The ceremony is sponsored by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Awards for excellence were presented in 77 categories.

The Emmy Award submissions, which totaled 645 this year, were broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2008 and judged by panels assembled by the Heartland, Mid-America, Mid-Atlantic, San Francisco/Northern California, Ohio Valley and Suncoast Chapters.

The Awards Committee reviewed the unidentified totals prepared by the accounting firm of Lively, Ostrye & Worch, P.C. for the purpose of determining the number of awards to be given. Based on the scores, the Awards Committee determined the Emmy nominations and awardees. The Emmy Award recognizes excellence; therefore, in each category, one award, more than one award, or no award may be given.

The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was established in 1958-59 and is an organization comprised of more than 700 television broadcast professionals dedicated to fostering and recognizing outstanding achievements in television production throughout the National Capital Chesapeake Bay region.

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

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: http://www.qf.org.qa

VCUQatar Documentary Wins Capital Emmy at the 51st Emmy Awards Press Release as pdf-File in Arabic language

Images:
Producer Jordan Rodericks with Emmy Award

Senior Producer Lisa Figueroa with Emmy Award

Producers Lisa Figueroa and Jordan Rodericks interviewing Assistant Professor Peter Martin for the documentary

Producers Jordan Rodericks, Lisa Figueroa with Qatar Production Coordinator Moamer Qazafi aboard the helicopter during the filming of the VCUQatar documentary.