Eleven university students from Dubai and Sharjah have been awarded for writing press reports of cultural events taking place at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) which took place from 4-14 November. The students were asked to write a one page report in Arabic or English with winners receiving a laptop and an appreciation certificate. The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the organizer of the fair, placed posters about the competition in universities and colleges, in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to promote the competition and its terms and conditions. One winner a day was chosen from all entrants between 4-14 November.Hind Lenaid, Manager of Fairs and Festivals at Sharjah Book Authority, said, “The competition has had a great response from university students in the UAE, especially journalism and mass communication students, because it allowed them the opportunity to develop their journalistic skills. We received a host of outstanding entries, ushering in a brighter future for students in the field of news writing and journalism and will repeat the competition for next year’s event.”
Lenaid added that the aim of the competition was to give students an opportunity to hone their journalism skills, while encouraging them to attend cultural events, symposiums and lectures included in the SIBF Cultural Programme.The awards were given to students from four universities in Sharjah and Dubai, with the University of Sharjah winning four awards, while the American University of Dubai winning three awards, while the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai, and Manipal University in Dubai winning two awards each.The winners included Diyab Bashir from Manipal University in Dubai, Nawar bint Abdullah from the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai, Salwa Jakwani from the University of Sharjah, Yasmeen Awaja and Olla Yehya Abu Shehada from the American University of Dubai, Joana Justin from Manipal University in Dubai, Noor Baher from the University of Sharjah, Ruqiya Ba Shrahil from the University of Sharjah, Hanan Ahmed Al Marzouqi from the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai, Laila Osama from University of Sharjah, and Umniah Fahim from the American University of Dubai.
The 34th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair, which was held at the Sharjah Expo Centre, attracted 1.227 million visitors from all around the world, with sales exceeding AED 135 million. It also witnessed the participation of 1,547 publishing houses who came from 64 countries and showcased more than 1.5 million titles. More than 1000 cultural, intellectual, educational and entertaining events took place during the 11-day event, in the presence of an elite group of official figures, renowned artists and media personalities as well as famous cultural and literary figures and celebrities.