Mohamed Al Hajri - Emirati civil engineer and entrepreneur

In coordination with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development

16 November 2009 (Dubai, UAE): - The inaugural 'Manchester Innovation Award' for Emirati nationals, an initiative of Manchester Business School (MBS) Worldwide in coordination with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, was presented to the winner at a Gala Dinner held at the Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi last night (November 15^th), in the presence of dignitaries and VIPs.

Mohamed Al Hajri, from Abu Dhabi, was presented with the Manchester Innovation Award, following the judges' selection from the seven finalists, who were all present at the ceremony. The finalists were selected from almost 100 entries to the competition, from Emirati nationals across the country.

Manchester Innovation Award winners:

1st: Mohamed Al Hajri Waste - Oil Treatment Plant

2^nd: Abboud Ali Al Braiki and Zeyad Mahmoud Al Khaja - Visual Advertising (advertising on bins)

3^rd: Hassan Al Sayed Al Hashemi - Organic Vegetable Company (OVC)

Manchester Innovation Award finalists:

eStores - Abdullah Alghaithi
Kayak Tours & Fishing - Ali Mohamed Musabbeh Mohamed Al Ketbi
Health Conscious Restaurant - Mariam AbdulRhman Alhammadi
Ornamental Plants - Mohammed Abdul Muhsen Ali Salem

Mohamed Al Hajri, a civil engineer working at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, holds a bachelors degree in management from Ajman University, a civil engineering degree from HCT, and is currently enrolled on an MBA program in Abu Dhabi. His proposal is to establish a factory for the treatment of waste oil, with the factory collecting the waste oil from the end users, then recycling the oil to produce irrigation water and bio-fuels.

The Manchester Innovation Award attracted entrepreneurial competitors (mainly 30-40 years old) - male and female Emiratis across the UAE, working in the public and private sectors, with diverse business ideas covering manufacturing, agriculture, community and social activities, leisure and IT. Thanks to the main sponsors, the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, the Manchester Innovation Award offered AED 100,000 in prize money (1^st prize - AED 50,000; 2^nd - AED 30,000; 3^rd - AED 20,000) as well as ongoing, expert business support for the winning business innovation.

The Manchester Innovation Award was conceived as a vehicle to help building entrepreneurs and business innovators showcase their talent and to provide tangible and practical support for the best ideas submitted, with the skills and resources needed to develop the idea into a successful business.

On presenting the award, Professor Michael Luger, Director of Manchester Business School, commented: "Our congratulations to Mohamed, who is a very worthy winner of the inaugural Manchester Innovation Award for the UAE. It is an exciting example of 'original thinking applied' and we are looking forward to providing advice and support in helping to commercialise the business opportunity.

"Since the first industrial revolution, Manchester has been renowned for its innovation and practical approach to business challenges; in this, we have much in common with the UAE, an entrepreneurial spirit, vision and a belief that nothing is impossible. Congratulations to all the finalists and all of those who entered the awards competition. The quality of the ideas submitted was impressive and reflects the level of business innovation that exists within the Emirati community. Our thanks to Khalifa Fund, all the sponsors and supporters of the first UAE Manchester Innovation Award and of course, the judges who were given such a difficult challenge."

Mr Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Deputy CEO/Director of Operations, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, added: "The Khalifa Fund aims to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit amongst UAE nationals and support their enterprise initiatives; training and preparing UAE entrepreneurs so that they can manage their businesses effectively. We welcome the Manchester Innovation Award as an important new initiative which complements our work in developing and diversifying the UAE economy and supporting UAE entrepreneurs and business innovators.

"The competition is an important showcase of talent and all the finalists will set an excellent example for other business-minded Emiratis across the country. The innovation and enterprise of our people has been the life blood of the UAE and will continue to be so as the economic focus increasingly shifts to the development of the knowledge economy, in which Emiratis will take a leadership role. We warmly congratulate Mohamed on his success."

The Manchester Innovation Award was open to all Emiratis aged 20 and over, and the winner will enjoy an all-expenses study tour to the Manchester Business School in the UK, a cash award and trophy, as well as ongoing support in the development of the winning business innovation idea with advice and guidance from the Business School faculty and the Manchester Enterprise Centre. In addition, the Khalifa Fund may provide funding and further support for the winning idea and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises may also offer funding and business incubation support (subject to their terms and conditions).

The business plans were judged by a panel of professors, academic directors, executives from the Khalifa Fund, Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for Young Business Leaders and selected MBS alumni. The winner was chosen on the basis of the innovation and creativity demonstrated by the business idea, as well as its commercial viability.

The Manchester Innovation Award in the UAE is sponsored by:

Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council; Etihad Airways

Supporting organisations:

Dubai International Academic City; Dubai Knowledge Village; Mohammed Bin Rashid Est for SME Development; Abu Dhabi Education Council; Higher Colleges of Technology; CERT

Media partners:

ArabianBusiness.com; ONETVO; Bayt.com; Rotana

Details are available at: http://www.mbs-worldwide.ae/innovation/

Members of the judging panel:

Professor Michael Luger - Dean, Manchester Business School

Dr. Lynn Sheppard - Director, Manchester Enterprise Centre - Chair

Nigel Banister- Chief Global Officer, Manchester Business School

Dr. Martin Henery - Enterprise Academic, Manchester Enterprise Centre

Hussein Mohamed - ACACF Senior Manager, Entrepreneurship Development Department Khalifa Fund

Dr Adel Al Ameni - Director of Training, Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council

Dr Ayoub Kazim - Executive Director of Dubai Knowledge Village

HE Abdul Baset Al Janahi - CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. For Young Business Leaders

Wayne Sheridan - Associate Director HSBC Private Bank Middle East and MBS alumnus

-Ends-

About Manchester Business School
Manchester Business School (MBS) is UK's largest campus-based business and management school. It provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as customized executive programmes for organisations from both the private and public sectors. It was also the UK's first business school, established in 1965.

MBS Worldwide - Middle East Regional Centre
Manchester Business School Worldwide Middle East Regional Centre was established in Dubai in 2006. The centre currently runs MBA programmes for Financial Managers and Finance Professionals; Engineering Business Managers; and Construction Executives; as well as the Manchester Global MBA. The centre currently supports more than 600 part-time MBA students from across the region, all of whom are experienced managers or professionals/specialists. The degrees are awarded by The University of Manchester.

About Khalifa Fund
The strategic objective of this program is to help Emiratis participate fully in the private sector through projects that they own and manage. This will result in the expansion of the economic base. The main aim of Khalifa Fund is to promote good business opportunities for Emiratis in a variety of sectors. The Khalifa Fund will target capable, young graduates as well as young businessmen and businesswomen with creative business ideas, coupled with strong administrative and managerial skills. In addition, the Fund will assist early retired uniformed services personnel that enter into business through guidance, support and training. Women with home based businesses will also be supported. The efforts of the Fund will serve to nurture the many talented and capable Emiratis who wish to enter the world of business.

About Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders
Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders was launched in June 2002 and was formed with a vision to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in Dubai, encourage and facilitate the development of business and entrepreneurial activity among UAE nationals and catalyze the development and growth of a key sector of the economy, the small and medium business sector.

For more information, please contact:
Jonathan Walsh, WPR
mob 050 4588610;
email - jon@wprme.com

Beibars Abdi, WPR
mob 050 5705531;
email - beibars@wprme.com