Irfan Ghani and Talal Gergawi Win 2011 INDEX Student Challenge Brand Contest

Dubai, October 18, 2011. Visual Communication Students Mr. Irfan Ghani and Mr. Talal Gergawi from the American University in Dubai (AUD) have won the 2011 INDEX Student Challenge Brand Contest. Organized jointly by DMG, ISG and tasmena, the 2011 INDEX Student Challenge's theme this year was reuse - as in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." Participants had to identify regional materials that have been written off as waste and propose their reuse within an interior design application. These design solutions will eventually be realized onsite at the INDEX Exhibition October 22nd - 25th 2011.

On the multi-dimensions of this competition, Prof. Dina Faour, Assistant Professor of Advertising (Creative) at AUD and the students' mentor during this challenge comments: "By adding the Graphic Design dimension to a challenge, originally planned for Interior Designers, INDEX proved how different forms of design complete and compliment each other. This definitely enriches the event itself and opens doors to friendly competition amongst the various universities of this region."

The INDEX Student Challenge encourages the development of creative talent beyond the classroom. DMG, ISG and tasmena, with the support of and in cooperation with participating academic institutions including the American University in Dubai, present an opportunity for students to exercise their design and development skills in addition to their leadership and teamwork abilities. "Seven academic institutions from within the UAE participated in the Brand Contest and there were 22 submissions total," explains Ms. Paula Al Chami, Event Director INDEX on behalf of the INDEX 2011 Student Challenge Partners. "We would like to congratulate the students of the American University in Dubai, Irfan Ghani and Talal Al Gergawi, for winning the INDEX 2011 Student Challenge Brand Contest.  These students have created the brand identity for this years' INDEX Student Challenge themed "reuse," which will be recognized by thousands of visitors at the show and will also encourage and motivate future participants of the competition."

On wining the competition, Irfan Ghani comments "I appreciate that INDEX created a special competition for Graphic Designers this year. It was a challenging yet fun experience to face off against several other design schools across the region. I hope that we get the chance to participate in such competitions again in the future and would wish my best to the participants of the interior design challenge."

Talal Al Gargawi also wishes all the participants of the interior design challenge best of luck, and says: "I would like to thank INDEX for creating this competition and allowing graphic design students to participate. It has been a pleasure and honor in competing with other academic institutions."

Prof. Faour concludes: "The American University in Dubai is proud of its students, Irfan Ghani and Talal Al Gargawai, who scored the winning position in this competition. We hope our interior design students score the same position and we'd like to thank INDEX for the opportunity."

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About AUD
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. AUD, as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education. 

  • AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.   

  • AUD is officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in International Studies, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Computer and Information Technology, Computer Science, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design, Education (graduate), and Construction Management (graduate), in addition to a Certificate program in Middle Eastern Studies.

  • AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).

  • AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The university's undergraduate concentrations in Marketing Communications and Advertising (Creative) have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.

  • The Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering Programs of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology (B.S.C.I.T.) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

For more information, please visit www.aud.edu.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Rim Ibrahim
Marketing Communications Coordinator
American University in Dubai
T. +971 4 3183 139
E. ribrahim@aud.edu

© Press Release 2011