Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 26, 2006: The Kanoo Group, the leading business conglomerate in the Middle East, provided the UAE IT Challenge the much needed byte by becoming a gold sponsor to the event. Mishal Kanoo, Deputy Chairman of The Kanoo Group, was also one of the senior judges for the newly introduced e-commerce category at the Challenge aimed at promoting local talent and innovation in the classroom. Representatives from The Kanoo Group met with students from different institutions to familiarise them with the group's business activities.

The UAE IT Challenge, launched in 2002 by Higher Colleges of Technology, is held biannually under the patronage of Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Education. The IT Challenge, which promotes excellence in the use of IT in educational institutions, invites project entries from students that are judged on innovation, educational value and impact on the community. This year the event received a record number of 743 projects from teachers, students and educational organisations in the UAE including several projects from other Middle East countries.

Commenting on The Kanoo Group's role at the IT Challenge, Mishal Kanoo said, "The UAE has so many brilliant students who need a forum like the IT Challenge to help them recognise and promote their talent and skills. The IT Challenge acts as a platform to put their ideas into practice and the results eventually benefit the nation. We felt this was a unique opportunity for our company to support the development and growth of local talent. We are proud to associate with this prestigious event which is helping build the future of the UAE."

"We are happy that companies such as The Kanoo Group are coming forward to lend their support to the IT Challenge," says Kashmira Tamhane, CEO, UAE IT Challenge. "Kanoo has been supporting this event since its launch in 2002, growing from support panel participants to gold sponsors. It is backing from corporates like The Kanoo Group that help build future leaders for tomorrow," she concludes.

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About The Kanoo Group:
The Kanoo Group is a diversified business conglomerate in the United Arab Emirates with business activities across the world's most dynamic industries from Shipping, Travel, Holidays, Machinery, Oil & Gas, Power & Industrial Projects to Exhibition services, Courier Services, Logistics, Specialty Chemicals and Business Centers. In addition, The Kanoo Group has a remarkable history in forming joint ventures with world-class companies serving the service and industrial sectors such as AXA Insurance (Gulf), Mearsk, BASF, Johnson Arabia, Freightworks and others. For further information on The Kanoo Group, please visit www.kanoo.com 

This press release is sent to you by Nirmala D'souza on behalf of The Kanoo Group. For further details please contact:

The Kanoo Group
Ms. Katia Yadige     
Marketing Manager - UAE & Oman
Tel: + 9714 5072344/345
Email: mktgmgr@kanoo.ae

OAK Consulting
Nirmala D'souza
PR Consultant
Tel: + 971 50 734 3840
Email: nimi@oakconsulting.biz

© Press Release 2006