MUSCAT — The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUQ) announced the Oman winners of the first phase of the design competition for the current year.

Anesah Hamad from the Hel Al Awamar School for General Education received the first prize while Nehal Ahmad Musa from Al Qaram Shatti School took the second spot and in third place was Hasna bint Jaber from the Aaisha bint Talha School.

Valerie Jeremijenko, assistant dean of student affairs from VCUQ presented the certificates and gifts to the students at a ceremony held at Grand Hyatt yesterday.

There were 116 participants from 11 countries across the Middle East. Three semifinalists from each country were chosen and will receive cash prizes of $1,400 for first place, $800 for second place and $600 for third place, generously provided by Sasol Chevron.

The three winners from each country will now move on the second phase of the competition in which two, full four-year scholarships to attend VCUQ will be won by the two finalists. Qatar Foundation Chairperson Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned provided scholarships for creativity to attend VCUQ.

“This year’s entries were of a professional standard. It was really interesting that we had a male winner this year, especially since we will be going co-ed from this fall,” noted VCUQ Recruitment Officer Dima Salameh.

The judging took place at VCUQ on February 11. Winning entries were judged by a world-class jury made up of representatives from the Qatari Ministry of Education, representatives from Sasol Chevron and Arts Faculty from VCUQ.

Various other VCUQ officials attended the judging and reception including VCUQ Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr Charles Bleick, Events Project Coordinator Donna Duffett and Recruitment Officer Dima Salameh.

Designing for a Better Future was the theme of the first phase of 2007 Design Competition provided by Sasol Chevron.

Sasol Chevron which is part of the world-leading alliance of companies developing new high performance, low emission gas to liquids diesel for the global transport fuels market, is an exciting high tech industry in which Qatar is the world leader following the inauguration of the ORYX GTL plant in July of this year.

At VCUQ, students have the opportunity of earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic, fashion or interior design.

VCUQ regularly organises and hosts exhibitions, gallery events, world-class design conferences and annual fashion shows. VCUQ is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation.