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Arts & Culture Asia News India News

ICCR Marks 75th Foundation Day

A cultural programme marks the 75th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in New Delhi on April 9, 2024.

ICCR’s approach to cultural diplomacy encompasses a broad spectrum of activities aimed at reviving and strengthening international cultural relations…reports Asian Lite News

The 75th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was celebrated on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in its journey of enriching India’s diplomatic relations through cultural exchanges. Established on April 9, 1950, by Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, India’s inaugural Education Minister, ICCR has played a pivotal role in fostering mutual understanding and fostering cultural bonds between India and the global community.

The foundation of ICCR was a strategic move towards establishing India’s soft power diplomacy, acknowledging the importance of cultural relations in international diplomacy. Over the years, ICCR has evolved into a global ambassador of Indian culture, operating through its extensive network of cultural centres and diplomatic missions worldwide.

Global Cultural Initiatives

ICCR’s approach to cultural diplomacy encompasses a broad spectrum of activities aimed at reviving and strengthening international cultural relations. By running 37 Cultural Centres globally, ICCR facilitates the exchange of artistic and cultural values, thereby fostering global peace and understanding. These centres serve as hubs for cultural exchange, hosting numerous events that showcase the diversity of Indian culture.

One of the Council’s notable initiatives is the organization of international webinars and festivals that highlight India’s rich textile and artistic heritage. For instance, the “Weaving Relations: Textile Traditions” webinar, held on October 3, 2020, brought together artists and artisans from various countries to share their textile traditions, promoting a global appreciation for the craftsmanship and cultural narratives embedded in their work.

Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs

ICCR’s educational exchange programs have significantly contributed to promoting international understanding. Through scholarships and cultural exchanges, the Council has facilitated educational opportunities for foreign students in India, thereby nurturing a global network of alumni who act as ambassadors of goodwill and friendship between their home countries and India.

The ICCR offers an extensive range of over 3,000 scholarships across 21 different programs, catering to international students from more than 180 countries. Six of these programmes are funded by ICCR, while the remaining are funded by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Ayush.

The Council’s role in India’s external cultural relations extends to the strategic implementation of cultural diplomacy initiatives. These efforts are designed not only to showcase India’s cultural richness but also to build enduring international relationships. ICCR’s cultural events abroad, such as dance performances, music concerts, and art exhibitions, play a crucial role in projecting India’s soft power and fostering diplomatic relations.

ICCR’s Regional and Global Impact

The regional offices of ICCR across India collaborate with state governments, enhancing the domestic cultural landscape while also supporting the Council’s global mission. These partnerships facilitate the representation of India’s diverse cultural heritage on the international stage, ensuring that the cultural exchanges are reflective of the country’s rich tapestry of traditions and art forms.

The ‘Northeast Japan Caravan’ in Shillong (November 9, 2023), showcasing Judo and Karate demonstrations, is an example of how ICCR promotes cultural fusion and understanding. Such events underline the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing people-to-people ties.

The ICCR’s sponsorship of cultural groups like the Sankalp Odishi Dance Group emphasizes the Council’s commitment to promoting Indian classical dance forms globally. Their 2023 performances in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, have not only showcased the elegance and depth of Indian dance but also played a pivotal role in building cultural bridges and enhancing India’s cultural ties with these nations.

As the ICCR celebrates its 75th foundation day, its achievements in promoting India’s cultural heritage globally stand remains renowned with the enduring value of cultural diplomacy. The Council’s efforts in fostering international goodwill through cultural exchange continue to contribute significantly to India’s diplomatic endeavours, promoting a world that values cultural diversity and mutual respect. ( India News Network)

ALSO READ:Vibrant Gujarat 2024: A Fusion of Tech and Culture

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Arab News Events UAE News

BurJuman Mall’s Rising Stars Season 3 winners crowned

BurJuman Mall saw more than 150 talents from the community, between the ages of 4 to 16 years, take centre stage to showcase their extraordinary performances across singing, dancing, dramatic arts, and the academic field…reports Asian Lite News

The finale of BurJuman Mall’s Rising Stars Season 3 on Saturday, 26 March 2022, witnessed a spectacular line-up of performances that truly lit the stage up one last time. Dazzled by the caliber of the finalists, difficult decisions were made, and the winners were crowned.

Indian celebrity extraordinaire Rannvijay Singha with star judges – Romanian Lebanese singing sensation Alina K, Indian dancer & choreographer Nidhi Kumar, and Filipino social media star Bengs Hyu mesmerised the audience with their interactions and special performances.

BurJuman Mall’s Rising Stars Season 3 FInale

Darsh Jhamnani, aged 16, was awarded first place for his exemplary dance performance, while Rainbow, aged 11, won second place as she dominated the stage with her presence and singing. Third place was a group of 4 dancers-G Swag aged 11 to 16. Along with the title, they were awarded AED 7,500, AED 5,000 and AED 3,000 worth BurJuman Mall gift vouchers, respectively.

ALSO READ: Skills project launched for Indians in UAE

Over a period of one month, between 4 to 26 March, BurJuman Mall saw more than 150 talents from the community, between the ages of 4 to 16 years, take centre stage to showcase their extraordinary performances across singing, dancing, dramatic arts, and academic field.

With the success of Season 3, the mall hopes to keep inspiring little ones to explore their full potential by providing them with a stage to shine.

To find out more, visit www.burjuman.com or follow us @BurJuman on TikTok, Instagram,

Facebook and @itsBurJuman Twitter.

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Arab News Events UAE News

Gulf Medical University Students celebrate cultural diversity

Professor Hossam Hamdy Chancellor with the students

Pavilions were set up by students of UAE, other Middle East Countries, as well as Asian and African countries…reports Asian Lite News

The annual Global Day celebrations of Gulf Medical University (GMU) – Ajman, a leading medical University in the Middle East region was celebrated with fun and frolic at the University campus. Organized each year to acknowledge the cultural diversity of the students and staff of GMU, the event is a festive carnival of cultures and traditions, including students from 90 nationalities that form the student cohort of GMU.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU was the chief guest of GMU Global Day 2022. Accompanied by the Vice Chancellors and Deans, the Chancellor toured the exhibition where students had showcased the food and costumes, as well as other exhibits relevant to their culture and history. Country pavilions displaying glimpses from the culture and heritage of various countries and serving traditional food were set up at the University ground. Pavilions were set up by students of UAE, other Middle East Countries, as well as Asian and African countries.

Mr and Miss GMU

More than 3000 attendees including the students and staff of the University as well as their families and friends gathered at the University grounds to join the Global Day celebrations.  During the occasion, the students from 22 colleges competed for the title of ‘Mr and Miss GMU’. Aimed at selecting ambassadors of the university to represent at plenty of occasions, the Mr and Miss GMU competition is a new initiative started this year onwards. Based on the students’ intellectual knowledge on their academic as well as general competence, three faculty judges determined the winners. Mr. Shariq Khan (MBBS student) and Miss Shiza Hajira (ADPCS student) won the crown, respectively, for their stellar performance.

Professor Hossam Hamdy Chancellor with the students

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of GMU said: “the annual Global Day was an occasion to celebrate the togetherness of GMU’s students and staff, emphasizing the University’s ‘Unity in Diversity’. Through initiatives like these, we believe in providing exposure to our students that will help them achieve a successful global career.”

The evening also had colorful music and dance performances by the students dressed in their respective traditional attires and entertaining the audience with some great displays of talent. Celebrated every year, the GMU Global Day seeks to admire the unity in cultural diversity of GMU’s student community hailing from over 90 nationalities. The event gives the students an opportunity to display the essence of their ethnicities and cultures, at the same time getting to know and appreciate each other’s culture.

ALSO READ: MBRSC, Khalifa University to collaborate on lunar mission

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Events Sharjah UAE News

Xposure International Photography Festival ends with 18,000 visitors

Xposure 2022 celebrates and honours photographers in recognition of their roles as global ambassadors of noble causes…reports Asian Lite News

Sharjah’s grand celebration of the beauty and fragility of the world – as seen through the lens of 70 world-renowned photographers, came to a spectacular close after registering new milestones in the sixth edition of Xposure International Photography Festival.

Xposure 2022, which ran from February 9 -15 at Expo Centre Sharjah, welcomed 18,000 photography enthusiasts this year and registered a 70 per cent rise in artwork sales compared to the previous edition. The week-long event also saw a record number of participation at its workshops, with a staggering 274 participants registering for the on-ground activities, exceeding the total number of participants in the last five editions combined.

Xposure International Photography Festival ends with 18,000 visitors

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the international festival succeeded in drawing the world’s attention to urgent issues impacting our planet and mankind at the first-ever Conservation Summit, held under the theme ‘Save Our Oceans’. 70 world-renowned photographers also showcased their vivid and compelling images through 45 solo and group exhibitions that captured pivotal moments in history and offered a window to the wider world around us.

Xposure welcomed visitors from around the world to gain new perspectives of the current reality of our planet, its natural wealth and beauty, and the astonishing wonders of the earth’s marine and terrestrial wildlife. Xposure 2022 also introduced visitors to vibrant cultures in far flung corners of the world, in addition to spotlighting the realities of vulnerable populations and victims of natural disasters and wars through an astonishing 1,600 visual stories.

In his keynote speech at the closing event, HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB, emphasised the critical role of arts in raising awareness of issues that require urgent attention. He said: “Throughout our past editions, Xposure has brought to light the power of visual stories in raising awareness, altering perceptions, and changing lives.”

Xposure International Photography Festival ends with 18,000 visitors

He added: “Every year, we step closer and become more connected to issues facing humankind – the environment, climate, marine, and wildlife. We have become more interested in what is happening around the world because every exhibition and session at Xposure shines a light on these critical issues and force us to take onus of our responsibilities.”

The Director General thanked participating photographers, teams, and volunteers, and all those who used their cameras or smartphones to document the events and exhibitions at Xposure and relay its key messages to their community and the world. The SGMB Director General pointed out that such   partnerships have elevated the status of the international festival and cemented its global appeal. 

Allay and HE Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, honoured the festival’s guests and sponsors, including photographers, media representatives and businesses that supported and sponsored the festival.

International Ocean Conservation Summit

Xposure 2022 hosted its first-ever Conservation Summit, under the theme ‘Save Our Oceans’, on February 10, in partnership with the International League of Conservation Photographers that brought together environmental activists, passionate explorers, photographers, and changemakers from around the world to lead seven insightful panel discussions on lasting solutions and everyday acts to protect the environment. Prominent photojournalists and researchers specialising in marine wildlife and underwater environment who shared their stories at the Conservation Summit included National Geographic explorers Brian Skerry, David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Jeffrey Garriock, and Laurent Ballesta,

Step into knowledge – Workshops, Focus Groups, Inspirational Talks

Celebrated heroes in the world of photography including Steve McCurry, who captured the iconic ‘Afghan Girl’ portrait for National Geographic; and American war photographer James Nachtwey who documented wars and critical social issues for four decades, inspired and motivated audiences at Xposure 2022.  A host of other renowned international photographers also shared their understanding of the world and the influences that have shaped their extraordinary journeys with audiences at the festival.

Xposure welcomed photography enthusiasts to advance knowledge and image-making skills at interactive workshops for beginners and professionals held throughout the seven-day event and led by international photographers. As many as 25 workshops, and a series of focus sessions and portfolio reviews led by professionals with extensive experience in various photography sectors, elevated the learning experiences of visitors of all age groups and proficiencies.

ALSO READ: Step into “Xposure 2022” to celebrate life, culture, and art

At the opening ceremony of the sixth edition of Xposure, engineer Rodrigues Mghames was honoured in recognition of his role in sharing a poignant image of Hussein, a 10-year-old Syrian refugee in Lebanon, that depicted him reading a book while taking a break from his daily routine of scavenging the trash can to support his family. The image, which captured international attention, led to the announcement of the sponsorship of Hussein’s education until he completes high school by Xposure in cooperation with The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF).

The festival has also enabled hobbyists and photography enthusiasts to stay up to date with the latest photography technologies and equipment on display at the retail stands of global brands. 

The 7-day international festival was organised in partnership with a distinguished list of partners, exhibitors, and supporters including Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah Media City (Shams), Doctors Without Borders, World Food Programme, Ministry of Education, Sharjah Police, House of Wisdom, Samsung, Emirates Airlines, Hot Cold Studio, Tenaui Middle East Trading, Arabian Gulf Mechanical Centre – BMW, iBrandConnect, Capture, 3D Design, Nikon, Advanced Media LLC, Dolce Vita and Gulf Color Film Labs LLC, Broncolor, Tether Tools, Profoto, Manfrotto, Godox, DJI, ESIGN, B.B.Tex Prints, ART Plus, Elinchrom, NiSi, and Epson.

Xposure International Photography Festival ends with 18,000 visitors
Xposure International Photography Festival ends with 18,000 visitors
Xposure International Photography Festival ends with 18,000 visitors
Xposure International Photography Festival ends with 18,000 visitors
Categories
Dubai Events

Dubai Art Expo will bring together more than 500 artists

Dubai

The three-day event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan and curated by Aurela Cuku, Founder of Artissima Art Agency…reports Asian Lite News

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, launched today the grand opening of the Dubai Art Expo, a new event organised as part of the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, which will bring together more than 500 artists and performers from more than 170 countries to present their works in Dubai.

The opening at the Meydan Hotel was attended by Albanian Minister of Culture Elva Margariti and a crowd of artists.

Dubai

The festivities will include an art exhibition, talks, workshops and a series of performances from five continents. The performances will feature dancers, choirs, instrumental musicians and singers from many countries.

The three-day event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan and curated by Aurela Cuku, Founder of Artissima Art Agency.

The event is an initiative from the UAE for the world artists to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the UAE and will showcase exquisite art and foster mutual cooperation that builds bridges between nations. There will be a series of talks on art by renowned artists and performing arts personalities.

On November 5, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhoods with Akaas Visual Arts will play host to the Association of Colours of Peace exhibition, a non-profit association that promotes children’s art internationally to reduce cultural, social and economic distances between rich and poor countries with messages of peace, tolerance and unity. Children from the UAE will be drawing for peace.

ALSO READ: Dubai Lights Up For Diwali

The President of ‘Colors for Peace’, Antonio Giannelli, Bernard Dika, Councillor at National Park for Peace Sant’Anna di Stazzema and Councillor for Innovation and Youth Policies of the Tuscan Region, Italy together with the President of Peace Run, Alfredo De Joannon will endorse the Peace torch to Angelo Baldini, the President at Cycling team MG K VIS. The cyclists will ride from the Meydan Hotel to Al Fahidi area for the awareness of the Colors for Peace initiative. This is followed by the show ‘Symbols of Peace and Love’ by the well-known Syrian artist Badie Jahjah.

On November 6, there will be Art Talks with the Secretary General of the Foundation Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale” Sara Abram in the presence of Dr Platon Alexiou, Dr Mariana Turchio, Dr Najat Al Saeed and Jassim Al Awadhi. This is followed by the show “Caravaggio” by the well-known Italian artist Mimmo Centonze. There will also be additional insights from Dr Nasser Palangi and Dr Carla Barbara Coppi.

AURELA CUKU, CURATOR OF THE EXHIBITION AND FOUNDER, ARTISSIMA ART AGENCY: “We have had an overwhelming response from artists all over the world for the Dubai Art Expo and we are delighted to bring all forms of art this year, including the performing arts. Over the last decade, we have been a catalyst in bringing art from all over the world to encourage a culture of art and heritage appreciation and this time we have also brought sports into the equation.” (WAM)

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Events Sharjah UAE News

Sharjah International Book Fair concludes on debates about digital learing

SIBF concludes on debates about digital age of educational publishing

The discussions were attended by Bodour Al Qasimi, President, International Publishers Association (IPA); and publishing professionals representing the global industry…reports Asian Lite News

The 11th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) Publishers Conference concluded today (Tuesday) with exciting debates and discussions on a new era of educational publishing being steered by the digital age, and the resulting opportunities and challenges emerging for industry stakeholders.

SIBF concludes on debates about digital age of educational publishing

The discussions were attended by Bodour Al Qasimi, President, International Publishers Association (IPA); and publishing professionals representing the global industry.

Representatives of the five projects that were selected for the 2021cycle of the Africa Publishing Innovation Fund (APIF) – a joint $800,000 four-year grant programme funded by UAE-based Dubai Cares and administered by the International Publishers Association (IPA) – discussed how the funding is transforming lives of children and local communities and addressing key challenges in the African publishing ecosystem.

APIF: Supporting literacy, book access, and library restoration in Africa

Moderated by Wanjiru Koinange, author and Co-Founder of Book Bunk in Kenya, the session titled ‘Surfacing African Publishing Innovations: The African Publishing Innovation Fund’, explored how the fund is helping provide critical literacy, livelihood, and life skills to poor and rural communities across the continent.

Alison Tweed, Chief Executive, Book Aid International, UK, described how APIF helped transform three shipping containers into fully equipped libraries in Dunga, a rural community of 76,000 in the Zanzibar region of Tanzania. “It has been extraordinary to see the changes it is bringing to children and families, many of whom are experiencing a library for the first time. With different players contributing to different aspects of the project, it is having a broader impact in library development.”

ALSO READ: More than 15mn book to be showcase at SIBF 40th edition

By providing funding for 8 community libraries in Rwanda, APIF has boosted access to digital learning solutions and strengthened critical literacy skills in children unable to attend schools, said Catherine Uwimana, Book Development Expert, Save the Children International. “Our libraries have become safe spaces for learning, and the fund has supported the training of librarians who encourage both girls and boys to use technology to strengthen the culture of reading. More than a million children also receive educational content via the radio.”

Zimbabwean poet Chirikure Chirikure, who is building a modern community library in Nemashakwe, said: “Apart from providing 800 young learners access to books, computers and life skills programmes, the APIF grant has also enabled us to set up water supply systems and install a solar energy system which has generated greater interest in the centre in this remote community with very limited resources.”

Describing the significant urban-rural digital divide across Ghana, Kumuriwor Alira Bushiratu, a young student and co-founder of Learners Girls Foundation, said: “APIF gave wings for our startup non-profit to grow and make a powerful impact in the lives of at-risk young girls whose conditions have been exacerbated by the pandemic. By bringing stakeholders together to support education and provide reading material through libraries, access to digital learning and mentorship programmes, young girls are being empowering to grow and give back to society.”

WILL CLURMAN, CEO, KENYA, EKITABU: “By digitising and adapting local educational materials to international standards, we are improving digital learning accessibility for all learners. In the process, the digital journey of publishers across Kenya is being scaled up. The beauty of publishing is the commitment to knowledge and engagement, and this is improving learning outcomes for children across Kenya.”

Pushing the boundaries of digital learning

Moderated by Jose Borghino, Secretary General, IPA, the session, ‘Evolving Education Content: The Role of Publishers in the Age of Digital Learning’, highlighted the pivot to digital learning and lessons learnt during the pandemic, and discussed the way forward for different members of the educational value chain.

Nitasha Devasar, Managing Director of Taylor and Francis, and President of the Association of Publishers of India, said that the shift to digital represents “a shift from product perception to service perception.”

She explained: “The focus is now on the value that learning tools provide users. Placing customers at the forefront calls for increased investment in resources to curate a better experience for consumers.”

Dr. Neelam Parmar, Director of Digital Learning and Education at Harrow International Schools, UK, stated that the overwhelming choices in online resources has changed the landscape of learning. She said: “Taking the vast digital resources and integrating it within the curriculum in a blended approach has become the norm moving forward. However, younger children are still encouraged to hold, touch and feel a book.”

Bill Kennedy, Founder of UK-based Avicenna Partnership Ltd, said that the pandemic led to a “discernible migration from academic textbooks in print to e-versions of those books, and an increase in the use and quality of research content in open access journals, which are here to stay and grow.”

Julie Attrill, Manager of International Rights at Wiley, UK, revealed a much stronger uptake in digitalised learning both in universities and the corporate sector during the pandemic. She said: “People are now looking for hybrid models that also incorporate audio and podcasts, while corporate learning has seen a huge growth as more businesses are looking to upskill their staff.”

  • SIBF concludes on debates about digital age of educational publishing
  • SIBF concludes on debates about digital age of educational publishing
Categories
Arab News Dubai Events

DBWC launched the 4th cycle of the Mentorship Programme

DBWC launched the 4th cycle of the Mentorship Programme

The Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) has launched the 4th cycle of its Mentorship Programme…reports Asian Lite News

Around 100 members took part in the previous 3 cycles of the highly acclaimed programme, which aims to provide the participants with valuable expertise, support and guidance.

Those who are interested to sign up for the programme can apply online through the DBWC website; the application deadline is 28 October 2021.

DBWC launched the 4th cycle of the Mentorship Programme

This will be followed by a selection pairing process conducted by the steering committee to ensure that the mentees are paired with the right mentors throughout the tenure of the six-month program.

The launch took place recently at Dubai Chamber, in the presence of members , partners and invited guests of the council .

The event featured opening remarks by Her Excellency Dr. Raja Al Gurg, President of the DBWC, who underlined the importance of the programme in boosting the skills of businesswomen and entrepreneurs and the role of continuous development of skills in dealing with the evolving changes in the business landscape.   

DR, RAJA AL GURG, PRESIDENT, DBWC: “The Mentorship Programme has greatly contributed to training and enhancing the personal and professional skills of 100 female entrepreneurs . Our goal was ,and still is , future proofing businesses, supporting business women through skill development , which is one of the most important investment ever. The 4th edition of the programme coincides with the Year of Fifty and the Projects of the Fifty launched by our wise leadership, which reflects the forward-looking vision of the future. It also coincides with the mega international event, Expo 2020 Dubai, which stresses on the importance of the program in supporting businesswomen in the coming stage.”

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Featuring a distinct group of experienced men and women mentors, the mentorship programme offers the best hands-on and professional training to enhance the experiences and competitiveness of the participants in the business environment.

This reflects the strenuous efforts made by the DBWC to strengthen the skills and capacities of its members, especially in light of the current challenges imposed by the pandemic and the tough competition that the labor market is witnessing.

Nadine Halabi, Business Development Manager, DBWC, said: “In order to make the program comprehensive, integrated, and unique, it was developed in accordance with the best international training practices, taking into account the basic and required skills in the post-Covid-19.”

A customized training plan will be set up according to the professional needs and requirements of each mentee. This includes personalized one on one mentoring to help improve the skills of the participants .

Halabi reiterated the DBWC’s commitment to providing its members with all the tools and platforms for success in the business environment , while helping them understand and tackle future challenges.

She added that the program represents a successful model of fruitful partnerships among the various organizations of the business community to spur innovation and encourage professional success.

DBWC launched the 4th cycle of the Mentorship Programme

Halabi invited the Council members to join the program to take advantage of its comprehensiveness and rich content over the course of six months. 

The list of companies that took part in the program and provided mentoring services for the participants include representatives from Visa and the French Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Siemens, JPMorgan Chase, Damac Properties, Amazon Web Services, Edelman Middle East, Nestlé, Expo 2020 Dubai , and many more.

Members of the steering committee include Nadine Halabi, Business Development Manager of DBWC, Hanane Arif, Vice President and Director of Communication and CSR and Business Development Officer at Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking Middle East, Nazha Osseiran, managing partner of Chipmunk General Trading, Nisrine El Lababidi, founder of the Harf Noon Design Studio, and Salma Sakhnini, Founder and Managing Director of ICON Investment Consultants.

During the event, a video for the previous mentees and mentors from the previous cycles was screened, during which they shared their testimonials about their involvement in the programme. 

Categories
Events Social Media UAE News

IGCF discusses the issues faced by the social media influencers

IGCF discusses the issues faced by the social media influencers

The featured talks included ‘Influencers’ Forum: Infodemic’ and ‘Youth forum: The fifth generation of ideas’, among others…reports Asian Lite News

The 10th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2021) hosted a series of key discussions on the sidelines of the two-day forum to raise awareness and understanding about the significant role played by public communications and empower the youth, social media influencers and government communication departments.

The featured talks included ‘Influencers’ Forum: Infodemic’ and ‘Youth forum: The fifth generation of ideas’, among others.

Influencers Forum: Infodemic.

The session was moderated by popular TV presenters Haitham Alhammadi and Nada Al Shaibani. Both emphasised the importance of cooperation between government communication departments and social media influencers, which could limit the infodemic, reaffirming the role of media institutions that are founded on the principles of accuracy and credibility.

Participants of the session, including prominent social media influencers from across the Arab world, media figures and students, lauded them for sharing their industry perspectives.

Haitham said, “There are many social media influencers who post news without verifying its authenticity and source to increase their following which is one of the major reasons behind the infodemic.”

ALSO READ: FB paid billions to spare Zuck in Cambridge Analytica probe

Nada Al Shaibani argued, “Many users on social media are influenced by what celebrities post. The race to gain followers and lack of credibility are top problems of social media influencers. This may lead to crisis and false news.”

Participants also noted the criteria needed to integrate influencers into government communication departments — post a thorough analysis of their profiles, the type of content they create on their social platforms, and the efforts they undertake to verify the accuracy and authenticity of the content they post.

IGCF discusses the issues faced by the social media influencers

The fifth generation of ideas.

The ‘Fifth generation of ideas’ session was moderated by TV presenter Marwan Al Shehhi and YouTube Content Creator Maitha Mohammed. They both speakers highlighted the role the youth play in helping achieve national identity of a country.

Al Shehhi stressed that the youth are the foundation of the future and they continue to help in the move to increase the knowledge of the younger generation, especially with the rapid advancement of technological innovations, including the emergence of social media platforms.

Maitha Mohammed shined the light on the tools and skills that are needed to invest in the youth – empowering them with the required skill sets like time management and setting priorities, which can help in the move to achieve their goals.

The session also reviewed the challenges resulting from the pandemic, both positive and negative impacts caused by these extraordinary times. Both speakers agreed that the pandemic encouraged today’s youth to evaluate and prioritise their goals, while others had their projects and ambitions hindered by the pandemic.

Categories
Dubai Events UAE News

Supercars to take over Dubai’s Souk Al Marfa’s

Car show at Souk Al Marfa

Souk Al Marfa’s supercars event will showcase powerful engines and feature unique designs this Friday, 10 September from 4pm to 10pm…reports Asian Lite News

In association with 21 of Dubai’s most prestigious car clubs, Souk Al Marfa’s supercars event will showcase powerful engines and feature unique designs, allowing car enthusiasts to relish in a variety of hardcore sport, classic and SUV models such as Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, Toyota Supra, Nissan GT-R R35 Nissan Z, Camaro, Jeep, FJ Cruiser and more.

Exclusive line-up of supercars at Souk Al Marfa

OMAR KHOORY, CHIEF ASSETS AND HOSPITALITY OFFICER, NAKHEEL: “We are gearing up for an exciting weekend at Souk Al Marfa, hosting over 150 supercars and welcoming auto fans of all ages to experience the aesthetic brilliance of these models and watch their favourite cars participate in competitions. We look forward to welcoming visitors to this exciting show, where they will also experience Dubai’s newest one-stop-shop marketplace.”

Salem Al Suwaidi, Co-founder of UAE Car Clubs said: “We are pleased to join forces with Souk Al Marfa to bring this exciting supercar show to life at Dubai’s newest wholesale market. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the UAE and hope they will enjoy this riveting experience.”

Souk Al Marfa at Deira Islands

The exhilarating car show will also feature a competition, where all 150 supercars will be competing across multiple categories including Best American Sport, Best American Saloon, Best Off-road, Best SUV, Best Classic, Best KDM, Best JDM (2 doors), Best JDM (4 doors), Best Engine, Best Wrapping, Best Lady-Driven, Best Airbrush, Best 4×4 truck, Best Paint / Body.  Visitors are expected to maintain social distancing protocols and wear a mask at all times.

ALSO READ: The latest model of Land Rover inspired by ‘No Time To Die’

Located at Village 4 in Souk Al Marfa, the free-to-enter show will feature more than 150 classic, vintage, sports and 4×4 cars.

Supercars at Souk Al Marfa

More than 450 shops are currently operating in Souk Al Marfa with 300 more set to open in the next month. Souk Al Marfa’s operating hours are from 10 am to 10 pm Sunday to Wednesday, 2 pm to 12 midnight on Friday and 10 am to 12 midnight Thursday and Saturday.