Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi leads Damascus meeting to present regional Arabian Oryx conservation strategy

• Representatives from a number of Arab governments are meeting in Damascus to ratify strategy for regional conservation programme
• The brainchild of the late Sheikh Zayed and supported by H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Arabian Oryx conservation programme is recognized as one of the most successful global conservation projects ever
• Declared extinct in the wild in 1972, EAD now oversees a thriving population of Arabian Oryx in Al Gharbia

Representatives of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) will meet fellow counterparts from around the region at a meeting in Damascus on the 10th June 2010)to present and agree a collective strategy aimed at re-establishing a population of wild Arabian Oryx in the region.

The Coordinating Committee for the Conservation of the Arabian Oryx (CCCAO), which is chaired by H.E Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD, comprises of a number of member Arab governments, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen, which have committed to unifying and intensifying efforts to conserve the Arabian Oryx, which once roamed freely across an area stretching from the south of Syria to the Omani and Yemeni borders with Saudi Arabia. Read more

The Stevie® Awards invite entries for annual International Business Awards

• World’s premier business awards competitions honor workplace achievements
• Seven judging committee chairs announced; awards to be presented in Istanbul, Turkey

The Stevie® Awards, the world’s premier business awards competitions, have called for entries for the 7^th annualInternational Business Awards, which honor achievements in the workplace worldwide, from the executive suite to the factory floor.

The International Business Awards are the only global, independent business awards program. All organizations worldwide may participate – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. The entry deadline is 12 May. Late entries will be accepted through 9 June, and results will be announced in early July. Entry details are available at www.stevieawards.com/iba.

The 2010 awards will be presented this fall in Istanbul, Turkey and will recognize work since January 1, 2009.

Entries may be submitted in multiple languages and are accepted in various categories ranging from Executive of the Year and Most Innovative Company of the Year to Human Resources Department of the Year and Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year. New language-specific judging committees have been added to encourage organizations around the world to submit entries to the IBAs in their own languages. Read more

First INSEAD Leadership Summit in the Middle East

Under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business schools, held today its first Leadership Summit Middle East, attracting more than 300 delegates from around the world. Read more

First UAE National selected as Judge for Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali is the first UAE National to be selected as one of the ten leading international figures in science, the environment and exploration to judge the recently launched Rolex Awards for Enterprise: Young Laureates Programme.

For nearly two decades Dr Kamali (53) has spearheaded education, training and applied technology programmes in the United Arab Emirates and Middle East region, nurturing young UAE nationals and other students and encouraging them to “build on their dreams”. As the Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Group Chief Executive of Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT), Dr Kamali was selected as a juror because of his commitment to providing young adults with the skills and ability to innovate and to compete in the global market.

The Rolex Awards have been instituted to honour men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 with inventive ideas to solve tomorrow’s challenges in science and health, applied technology, exploration, the environment and cultural preservation. Award winners will each receive a US$50,000 cash prize to enable them to pursue an original project. Each Young Laureate will also gain access to the Rolex Awards’ international network of scientists, educators and explorers who will help them to develop their leadership skills and professional expertise. Read more

Government of India honours Sunny Varkey with Padmashri Award

1. One of the highest civilian honours in recognition of Sunny Varkey’s outstanding contribution to education and social service
2. Sunny Varkey joins a select list of non-resident Indians to be conferred the title

The Government of India has honoured Mr Sunny Varkey, Chairman of The Varkey Group, which includes GEMS Education and Emirates Healthcare Holdings Limited (operating Welcare and City Hospitals and clinics), with the Padmashri award. It is one of the country’s highest civilian awards, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to education and social service.

Mr Varkey joins a select list of non-resident Indians to be honoured with the Padmashri, a reiteration of his stature not only in the Middle East but also in India, and across the world. Read more