Media Release
Ajman, Apr 16: Gulf Medical University (GMU), a leading University in research and teaching and GMC Hospital, here, together celebrated Global Day 2012 – Annual Ethnic and Cultural Festival on Friday April 13. ‘Unity in Diversity’ was the main theme of the grand cultural extravaganza.
More than 20 country stalls/pavilions and a student cohort from over 60 nationalities, faculty and staff members took part in the mega event. This mega event served as a platform for students to show the essence of their ethnicity and respective cultures through a series of entertainment of songs, dance performances. Various competitions were held in solo and group singing, cultural dress, talent and fashion shows in addition to the stalls that featured various food items and cultural artifacts. Visitors were able to sample a wide variety of traditional food at the food fair. GMU Band “ROFL & CO” enthralled the audience with their live performance.
H H Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, chairman of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, the chief guest of honour at the gala event. He was accorded a warm welcome by Thumbay Moideen, founder president of GMU. After inaugurating the festival the visiting dignitary accompanied by Moideen toured all the country stalls/pavilions and praised the participation and colorful, vibrant display of different ethnicity and cultures.
India,Pakistan, Srilanka, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Djibouti, Palestine, Syria, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Nigeria, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Russia and Canada were the participating country pavilions at the festival. Dr Mohd Sayed – dean, College of Dentistry along with Prof MohdArifulla – dean of admission and registers gave away participation prizes to all the countries which participated in the gala festivities.
Provost of GMU Prof Gita Ashok Raj gave away the prizes to the winners of fashion show, talent show and country performances. In the fashion show section Iran bagged the winner’s prize for Ethnic 2012 while UAE bagged the Ethnic 2012 prize. In the talent show section Safeer from College of Medicine, GMU won the first prize for his captivating poems, while Dr Yaseer, GMC Hopsital, Ajman and Scott and Dino, GMU won the second and third prizes for their outstanding performances in singing respectively. In the country performances, Nigeria was adjudged as winner for the Best Country Performance, while Pakistan and India as the second and third prize winners of the event.
A grand raffle draw was conducted by the management of GMU. Bhumika Thapa won the first prize- an IPad, Balaji won the second prize - home theatre system and Kulsum won the third prize - DVD player. Five consolation prizes comprising of free entry passes to Dreamland Water Park were given away in the raffle draw.
Iran was awarded the Best Pavilion, while UAE and Iraq were awarded the second and third best pavilions of the event.
More than 2000 guests, visitors including the students and staff of GMU and GMC Hospitals, Body and Soul Health Club and Spas attended the fun filled annual ethnic and cultural extravaganza.