Over 125 websites and interactive agencies honoured in Pan Arab Web Awards 2008

The Pan Arab Web Awards, in association with Microsoft, MSN Mena and Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry to promote a safe and legal digital world, has recently concluded its fourth edition at the Burj Al Arab Al Falak Ballroom in Dubai, honouring over 125 websites and interactive agencies from several categories.

The 4th Pan Arab Web Awards has been established as a premiere platform to recognise excellence in web design, development skills and creativity in the Pan Arab Region.

‘The fourth Pan Arab Web Awards competition was presented by the Web Awards Academy registered in January 2008. Web Awards Academy is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the internet and interactive media,’ said Pierre Moukarzel, President of the Web Awards Program in the Arab region.

Moukarzel emphasised that it has been the Web Awards’ mission to promote excellence in web development across the Arab World. He also said that the 2008 edition has received an unprecedented number of registrants and has expanded its reach across the region. ‘We had before representatives in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Oman, UAE and Qatar. We expanded to welcome new representatives in Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen and Saudi Arabia,’ said Moukarzel.

Pooya Darugar, Head of Web Platform, Microsoft Gulf said: ‘We at Microsoft are very pleased to continue our association with the Pan Arab Web Awards. This is the fourth Pan Arab Web Awards we have participated in and we look forward to a continuing collaboration. Microsoft tools and technologies are the leader in the web development space both globally and here in the region. With the privilege of being in a leadership position on web standards and development, we feel that we should put as much effort as possible in making the web a better place’.

Darugar added: ‘We want to ensure that the local talent in this region is promoted and their work is recognised for raising the standards of websites, which is also why we participate in these awards’.

Leading this year’s honourees is dsc.etacareers.com, which received the Diamond Award, while the Web Company of the Year award went to Beirut-based Koein. Other key awards handed out were Microsoft Award for the Best Website Built on Microsoft (www.cbq.com.qa), Best Arabic Website in the Arab Region (www.as7ab.maktoob.com), Award of Honour (www.president-saleh.info), Best Web Technology Award (www.yamli.com), Best Strategic Social Network Portal (www.dipark.com), Best Strategic Oil and Gas Portal (www.enolubricants.com), Best Strategic Media and Press Portal (www.alriyadh.com), Best Strategic ICT Portal (www.nawras.om), Best Strategic Government Portal (www.cma.org.sa/cma_en/default.aspx), Best Strategic Entertainment Portal (www.pepsiseaofstars.com) and Best Strategic Education Portal (www.kaust.edu.sa).

The rest of the categories and winners included Travel and Tourism (www.utravelme.com), Transportation (www.walt.etacareers.com), Services (www.dubaiseeker.com), Real Estate (www.abdali.jo), Retails (www.turtlesoman.com), Oil and Gas (www.enjm.com), Non-governmental organisations (www.brandprotectiongroup.org), Media and Press (www.masrawy.com), Industrial (www.kit-wood.com and www.kaddb.com), International Organisation (www.ccef-liban.com), ICT (www.mobinil.com/default.aspx), Hotels (www.themonarchdubai.com), Health Safety and Environment (www.arkan.ae), Governmental Organisations (www.hadhramaut.info), Health Services (www.rakhospital.com), Food and Beverage (www.bluefig.com).

Financial Institutions and Insurance (www.argaam.com and www.algebra-capital.com), Education (www.aust.edu.lb), E-commerce (www.otlob.com), Directories and Info Services (www.expofolio.com), Corporate (www.inkript.com), Bank Corporate (www.cbq.com.qa), Automotive (www.infinitioman.com), Airlines (www.etihadairways.com), Advertising Production (www.spadescasting.com), Art & Design (www.reflections-jo.com), Culture (www.rewayty.com and cmj.cmj.jo), Entertainment (www.mazika.com/ar/default.aspx), Fashion and Art (www.josepheid.com), Forums (www.gulfinjordan.paravisionglobal.com),

Personal (www.charleschlela.com), Social Network (www.as7ab.maktoob.com), Sports (dsc.etacareer.com), and V.I.P. (www.rafikhariri.com).

‘The original team behind the Pan Arab Web Awards still guides the awards today. Each year brings new challenges and growth. The 4th Annual PAWA event gathers high quality judges, and great marketing and strategic partners like MSN Arabia, Lebanese Canadian Bank, Gowealthy and Orient Planet,’ said Moukarzel.

Tags: BSA, Business Software Alliance, Microsoft, MSN Mena, Pan Arab Web Awards, Pierre Moukarzel, Pooya Darugar

SAE Institute awarded at the inaugural sound and stage awards ceremony

SAE Institute has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Sound and Stage Award for Services to the Industry’ award.

The event played host to more than 250 of the region’s top industry professionals.

The inaugural Sound & Stage Awards, an ITP Publishing company, was staged at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel in Dubai April 29, recognizing the efforts of individuals and organisations playing an influential role in shaping the development of professional audio, lighting, AV integration and live events production industries in the Middle East region.

The evening marked the foundation of Sound and Stage Magazine’s awards night, a staunch commitment to support the ongoing development of the industry in the region, as well as recognise significant professional and commercial endeavours.

Mr. Alexander Gehrig, Associate Regional Director, Asia & Middle East commented: ‘it is indeed a remarkable honour and testimony to the tireless work SAE has ploughed into the region. Our campuses in Dubai, Kuwait and Amman are three of the finest in our world-wide network of 50 campuses. The award is also a tribute to my colleagues in the Middle East, who have all contributed one way or another towards this great distinction.’

Sound & Stage also recognised SAE Institute’s incomparable contribution and commitment to higher education and practical training, helping to shape the nascent industry in the Middle East. The first wave of SAE graduates were unleashed in 2007 and have already begun making their mark in the industry.

Tags: Alexander Gehrig, ITP Publishing, SAE Institute