Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) announced the winners for Oman for the 2009 design competition today (March 18) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Muscat.

The winning entries were:

First - Manal Mohammed Al-Burtmani
Second - Al-Zahra Musilm Al Suliemania
Third - Aysha Salim Al-Sultani in third
Fourth - Inbrahim Nabhan Al Battashi
Fifth - Mona Mohammed Gashem

The first three winners are students of the Al-Shiekha Nadhreers School working under the guidance of Art teacher Enass Ahmad Mohamed.

“Better Living through Better Design” was the theme of the 2009 Design Competition and students were invited to design a solution or product that would improve everyday living keeping in mind the end users’ needs while incorporating environmentally conscious methods and materials.

Can Ikram, director of admissions and Moamer Qazafi, director of marketing and public relations from VCUQatar presented the awards to the students.

"The originality and breadth of these projects demonstrates the high degree of innovation and environmental interest that exists on high school campuses today,” said Ikram.

“These young students represent the design leadership of tomorrow,” he added.

VCUQatar received 74 entries this year and the winners were decided by a panel of judges. Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Qatar Foundation’s education division, the Regency Group and the Arts Faculty of VCUQatar judged the winning entries.

The annual design competition is launched every year in Qatar, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen and Palestine and is open to students in their senior year of high school.

Up to five winners are selected from each country and receive cash prizes of $1,000 for the first place, $800 for the second place, $600 for the third, $400 for the fourth and $200 for the fifth place.

The winners are also eligible to compete for the two Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned scholarships for creativity to attend VCUQatar.

“Our goal is to assist this new generation of gifted designers so that they have the necessary support to further their education, their design awareness and their career opportunities," said Qazafi.

The 2009 design competition is sponsored by Regency Holding group who award the cash prizes. – TradeArabia News Service