The 14th annual Global Communication Conference concluded yesterday (Monday) with a glittering awarding ceremony to 20 students from Zayed University and other international universities at Ferrari World in Yas island, Abu Dhabi for creating the best innovative public strategy to conserve dugongs and seagrass.This annual event was first started in 2003 and Zayed University was honored to host it at three previous occasions before today starting in 2008, during which around 72 students from eight different countries participated. Over the years, the Global Communication Conference grew tremendously to reach the presence of 170 international guests and experts coming from across the globe.The awarding ceremony was attended by Dr Marilyn Roberts, Acting Provost at Zayed University, Pamela Creedon, Acting Dean of the College of Communication and Media Sciences, Sean Cleary, Chairman of Strategic Concept and Executive Vice Chair of the Future World Foundation, and representatives from Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund as well as academics and experts in the field of mass communication, marketing, and public relations.
Winners from Zayed University (UAE), India, New Zealand, Malaysia, Portugal, South Africa, Australia, Thailand, Spain and UK were awarded for their best public relations strategy for the dugong and seagrass conservation project. They created the best innovative plans to raise awareness of the threats towards this endangered species. Barbara A. Leaf, the US Ambassador to the UAE, announced and recognized the recipients of the awards.At the outset of the ceremony, Cleary gave a keynote address saying: “The theme of this year’s Global Communication Conference is building global communication networks for a cause. However, this conference is not only meant to create a strategic plan for the dugong and seagrass conservation project, but also to make the world a better and more peaceful home to everyone.”
“The real challenge that we have to face is to clarify the common interests and values between all of us and define acceptable rules to form joint behaviors either between individuals or nations. We have to direct all our efforts towards addressing the great challenges for our future and our children’s future,” he added. The Global Communication Conference was held to celebrate the International Biodiversity Day, which observed on May 22 each year, and coincided with the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund’s announcement of Dh21.3 million grant to support eight projects in countries across the Indian and the Pacific oceans, including Indonesia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Vanuatu. The main purpose of the grant is to maintain seagrass ecosystems- the dugong’s main source of food- and keep the water healthy for the species.
BOX: Names of 20 winning students
• From Zayed University (UAE): Reem Al Mansouri, Fatima Al Bloushi, Layla Al Aulaqi, and Shamma Al Khouri
• From Institute of Journalism and New Media in India: Nometta Paso
• From Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand: Nicolas Irving
• From Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia: Jane Stevenson, Tan Hing, Ling Yu Ping, Tania Amaral
• From the Higher Institute of Applied Psychology in Lisbon, Portugal: Ines Castillo
• From the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa: Laura Hobtoflisc and Carly Bongaatr
• From Curtin University in Australia: Laura Kobier, Gabriel Goulding
• From Chulalongkorn University in Thailand: Subani La Angbueh and ChutiturnPrabananda
• From Ramon Llull University in Spain: Oriedena Bay Marina Kalaboag and Andria Portel
• From Leeds Beckett University in UK: Rebecca Midgley
About Zayed University
Zayed University is today the premier national university in the United Arab Emirates and a regional leader in educational innovation and change. It has created and implemented a skills-rich, outcome-based general education program that systemically develops student skills, knowledge, and values associated with liberal learning and provided a solid foundation for pursuit of disciplinary majors and future careers. Zayed University welcomes national and international students, and provides them with a high quality education, offered by seasoned teaching scholars to prepare them to shape the future of the United Arab Emirates.
Zayed University offers Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in the following Colleges: College of Arts & Creative Enterprises (recognized as substantially equivalent by NASAD), College of Business (Accredited by AACSB), College of Communication & Media Sciences (Accredited by ACEJMC), College of Education (Accredited by NCATE), College of Sustainability Sciences & Humanities, and College of Technological Innovation (Accredited by ABET). For more information, visit www.zu.ac.ae