Media Release

Ajman, Mar 3: Gulf Medical University (GMU), a leading University in Research and Teaching and GMC Hospital, Ajman together celebrated Global Day 2013 – Annual Ethnic and Cultural Festival on Friday March 1.

“Celebrating 15 years of Unity in Diversity” was the main theme of the grand cultural extravaganza.

More than 15 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.

Dr Saleh H Al Suhaibani, The Cultural Attache for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in UAE was the chief guest of Honor at the gala event. The chief guest was accorded a warm welcome by Prof Gita Ashok Raj, Provost of GMU and Dr P K Menon, director-administration, Institutional Planning and Research, GMU. After inaugurating the festival the visiting dignitary accompanied by Prof Gita Ashok Raj and Dr P K Menon toured all the country stalls/pavilions and praised the participation and colorful, vibrant display of different ethnicity and cultures.

UAE, India, Pakistan, France, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Nigeria and Bangladesh were the participating country pavilions at the festival.

Prof Gita Ashok Raj gave away the prizes to the winners of fashion show, talent show and country performances. In the Fashion Show section UAE bagged the Winner’s prize for Ethnic 2013, second place by Zimbabwe, third place by Nigeria and in the Ethnic 2013 category UAE bagged the first price, while Palestine and Nigeria bagged the second and third place respectively.

In the Talent Show section Keenan and Tanya from GMU won the first prize for their captivating songs, while Ghaydaa, GMU won the second prize for Standup Comedian, and third prize by Sagar from Blends and Brews, Thumbay Group respectively. And in the Best Country Performances category, India was adjudged as winner, while Nigeria and Palestine as the second and third prize winners of the event. And to encourage for more participation in the Global Day celebration at GMU, a new award – the Youngest Global Day Participant was introduced this year and the award was presented to Miss Rabab Khan and Master Rayan Khan.

A grand raffle draw was conducted by the Management of GMU. IPad, Home Theatre System, 42” T.V. and a lot of consolation prizes sponsored by Body and Soul Health Club and Spa and the Terrace Restaurant were given away in the raffle draw. Roxx Boutique and Yoko Beauty Salon were also sponsors of the grand event.

U.A.E was awarded the Best Pavilion, while Saudi Arabia and Nigeria 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.