Queen Rania Recognizes Winners of INJAZ "Battle of the Best Arab Student Company Competition"

May 17, 2007

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department – Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah joined INJAZ Al-Arab in formally recognizing the award-winning students of the Battle of the Best Arab Student Company Competition. Queen Rania presented the award of "Best Company of the Year" to the winning team. Other students were recognized for their work in producing the "Best TV Commercial" and "Best CEO".

The competition was held to celebrate and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth of the Arab world. Since the beginning of the 2006/2007 academic year INJAZ student companies have been launched in nine Arab countries involving more than 2,000 Arab youth from Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and soon Saudi Arabia will join in. Over 400 companies are now providing volunteers in INJAZ; while 120 business leaders have joined their board, as well as funding and leading INJAZ in nine Arab countries.

The competition was hosted by the Young Arab Leaders, who along with a number of business leaders came together to inspire the young Arab business men and women in a rigorous two-day program that will include expert break-out sessions and real life experiences. The Young Arab Leaders and the businessmen also took on the role of judging the competition.

Over 150 students from the region arrived in the Kingdom four days ago to participate in a number of team-building exercises, mind-easing exercises, and prepare a number of presentations for the panel of judges.

Earlier that day, Her Majesty met the newly appointed Board of Directors of INJAZ. The board members elaborated on the plans, strategies, and the programs that INJAZ is currently implementing in addition to those that are to be developed in the future.

Members of the Regional Board include: Omar Al Ghanim, CEO Al Ghanim Industries; Bader Nasser al Kharafi, CEO of Gulf Cable; Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Nehyan, Chairman Bin Zayed Group; Fadi Ghandour, CEO ARAMEX; Mohammed Shroogi, Regional Director MENA Citigroup; Michel Accad, Assistant CEO Arab Bank; Bruno Daher, Regional MENA Director Credit Suisse; Dave Robinson, Regional Director MENA Hill & Knowlton; Gordon Graylish, VP Europe Africa MENA Intel; Joubrane Ouechec, Regional Director MENA Degremont Suez; and Rania Attallah.