HBMeU launches 5th Pan-Arab Media Quality Award 2010-2011

Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), the leading educational institution in the field of e-learning and quality management in the Arab World, has announced the launch of the fifth edition of the "Pan-Arab Media Quality Award", which is being organised following the huge success and growth of the Award over the past four years. This year's edition will adopt the theme "Alleviating the negative impact of the global recession on our society: What role can quality play? How will it boost economic activity and provide hope for the future?" in line with HBMeU's vision to enhance awareness about the concepts behind quality and excellence in management, and their role in realizing sustainable growth in the Middle East.

The Pan-Arab Media Quality Award 2010-2011 targets all journalists working in the Arab World. Each journalist can submit only one entry, either in Arabic or English language, in any of the four award categories, which are Print, TV, Radio and Digital Media. Winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of the most prominent local and international experts in the field of media and total quality management.

Winners will be selected based on a set of criteria. All entries must be relevant to the Arab World and to the main theme of the 2010-2011 Award. It must particularly focus on the importance of quality management in alleviating the negative impact of the global financial crisis on the economic and social landscape, paying special attention to addressing issues from the perspective of quality and excellence. Moreover, all entries should have been produced and published in the past 12 months by an Arab-based media organization. Deadline for submission of entries is January 31, 2011. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony held in the presence of all participants, judges and special guests.

Commenting on the Award, Dr. Mansour Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMeU, said: "The launch of the 5th Pan-Arab Media Quality Award 2010-2011 is in line with our strong belief in the importance of quality in reinforcing competitiveness, and out of our commitment to raise awareness in the Arab World about the importance of adopting quality practices as an important tool in promoting socioeconomic development and growth. Total quality management is an international concept that has generated greater attention following the global economic crisis because of its effective role in supporting progress in the social, economic, educational and cultural levels. However, our region is still in need of greater focus on this concept, and accordingly we are keen on collaborating with different media organizations through the Pan-Arab Media Quality Award to raise awareness about the quality practices and concepts in different communities across the Arab World."

"The great response to the award underlines the confidence of media organizations on the capability of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University to help promote quality practices in the Arab World, and raise public awareness about the need to adopt these practices to achieve excellence. This confidence certainly motivates us to work harder to further reinforce our position as a leading center of excellence in the field of science and learning, in line with the directions of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and HBMeU President," Dr. Al ِAwar added.

The Pan-Arab Media Quality Award serves as a tool to promote the vital importance of quality management practices in the Arab media by focusing on raising awareness of quality concepts and principles in the Arab World and cultivating the active participation of Arabic and English-language media. The Award encourages the media to promote quality and excellence in various scientific and other related pursuits in life where quality management can be applied, as well as in raising public awareness and educating the society about the importance of quality in building a bright and promising future.

HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU's philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.