Wellington Gems International School Dubai Bags Scholarship worth AED100,000

Dubai-UAE: 28 April, 2012 - Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T) Dubai, a world-class educational university and leading institute for technology established in partnership with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSO), today announced its third annual university challenge successfully drew the participation of over 250 students.

Hosted at the university campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the region's integrated free zone technology park, the R.I.T Dubai University Challenge saw 13 schools compete in head-to-head competitions in the disciplines of general knowledge, engineering/computing and business.

The overall winner, Wellington Gems International School Dubai, walked away with a scholarship at R.I.T Dubai worth AED100,000 for their most deserving candidates.

The Wellington Gems International School Dubai was declared winners of the 'knowledge academic trivia' competition for answering over 50 questions posed to them. The French International School Georges Pompidou won the 'engineering' challenge competition for designing, building and testing a car prototype. In the 'business challenge' category, the team from JESS Arabian Ranches School walked away with the top prize for deriving an ingenious plan to market bottled water.

Dr. Luther Troell, Vice-President of R.I.T Dubai, said: "R.I.T Dubai is privileged to share strong relationships with high schools across the region. The UAE fosters the shaping of bright young minds and we contribute to this vision in a challenging yet fun way that encourages the cultivation of an innovative thought process and education. The high school challenge comes as part of our efforts towards this objective, and allows us to involve the community in a challenging university environment.

"It is heartening to see emerging talent participating enthusiastically at the R.I.T Dubai University Challenge. We are delighted that the event continues to encourage the youth to realise their dream of gaining better education and carving a promising future for themselves."

Schools that participated in the R.I.T University Challenge included Al Maarifa Private School, Wellington Gems International School Dubai, Dubai American Scientific School, French International School Georges Pompidou (Academic City), Oxford School Dubai, The City School International, Jumeirah College, JESS Arabian Ranches, Victoria English School, Victoria International School Sharjah, Sharjah American International School in Sharjah, Institute of Applied Technology in Abu Dhabi, and the Arab Unity School.

Giveaways were distributed to all participants of the event that also featured a raffle draw and gave away fabulous prizes. The event concluded with a fun-filled barbeque session.

Based at the 7.2 square km master-planned community within Dubai Silicon Oasis, R.I.T Dubai is surrounded by state-of-the-art office towers, research and development zones, educational institutions, luxury apartments, villas, hotels, healthcare services and a full spectrum of lifestyle facilities, all of which add to the students' education experience.

Founded in 1829, R.I.T is an internationally recognized leader in professional and career-oriented education, boasting over 17,000 students from nearly 95 countries.  R.I.T offers more than 300 BS, MS, MFA, MBA and Ph.D. programmes in engineering, technology, computing and information sciences, business, and the arts at its main campus in Rochester, New York.  R.I.T Dubai awards a degree from New York that is internationally recognized and is accredited in the U.A.E.

-Ends-

About Dubai Silicon Oasis:
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), a 100% owned entity by the Government of Dubai is a free zone, strategically placed on the Emirates road. DSOA's urban master-planned community spans 7.2 square kilometers of state of the art office towers, R&D and industrial zones, educational institutions, luxury apartments, villas, hotels, healthcare and a full range of lifestyle facilities which translate into a dynamic commercial and social environment. Businesses can flourish under the unrivalled package of incentives, including 100% ownership, and high end IT infrastructure that allows companies to begin operating immediately.

For further information, please contact:
Mazen El Dirany
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
Associate Manager - Corporate Communications
Tel: (+971 4) 5015102
Fax:  (+971 4) 5015350
Mobile: (+971 50) 2266956
Email: meldirany@dso.ae

Mathilda Saad
APCO Worldwide (JiWin Public Relations)
Tel:+9714 361 3879 (direct)
M:+97155 699 9890
Fax: +9714 388 8001
Email: msaad@apcoworldwide.com

Razi Hassan
APCO Worldwide (JiWin Public Relations)
(T): +971 4 3613598
(M): +971 553786543
(F): +971 4 3688001
rhassan@apcoworldwide.com

© Press Release 2012