NOOR AWARD INTRODUCTION

Bearing the theme, "Writing With Light," The Zayed University Noor Ali Rashid Student Documentary Photography Award is designed to honor U.A.E. Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid and recognize the talents of up-and-coming student photographers.

A visual historian who documented the birth of the U.A.E., Noor Ali's collection of photographs of this country spans six decades in nearly 50 years. It is a body of work that stands as testament to one man's dedication to his profession and to a country whose land, people and leaders embraced him as their own.

In keeping with that spirit, the Zayed University Noor Ali Rashid Student Documentary Photography Award is intended to fulfill two purposes: 1. Recognize the talents of young student photographers and videographers. 2. Honor Noor Ali and continue his legacy by encouraging students to focus their talents on visual bodies of work that capture the essence of the U.A.E.'s land, people, and leaders.

In consultation with Noor Ali, faculty members from ZU's College of Communication and Media Sciences (CCMS) developed the Zayed University Noor Ali Rashid Student Documentary Photography Award into two divisions - Still Photography and Video. At Noor Ali's request, the subjects for both divisions are U.A.E. Land, U.A.E. People and U.A.E. Leaders.

The 2008 Zayed University Noor Ali Rashid Student Documentary Photography Award is conducted under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, President of Zayed University and U.A.E. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Under the direction of Dr. Sulaiman M. Al-Jassim, Zayed University Vice President, and Dr. Kenneth Starck, Dean of the College of Communication and Media Sciences, the Noor Award is carried out under the auspices of the Zayed University Media Center (ZUMC). Based at Dubai Media City, the ZUMC is the community outreach division of ZU's College of Communication and Media Sciences, providing professional development training and professional media services and consultation to the U.A.E. private and public sectors.

2008 Zayed University Noor Ali Rashid Student Documentary Photography Award Competition Committee:

Nadia Rahman, ZUMC Director and Assistant Professor, CCMS, Dubai campus - Competition Coordinator, Still Photography Division

Dr. David Burns, Associate Professor, CCMS, Dubai campus - Competition Coordinator, Video Division

Ed Freedman, Associate Professor, CCMS, Abu Dhabi campus - Awards & Certificates Coordinator