Abul prompted those interested in informatics and digital outlets to register as quickly as possible, noting that the award consists of eight different capacities: Individuals, Civil Society, Private Sector, Government, Education, Health, Media & Communications, and Culture; all of which are related to informatics’ development and enhancement.

With three hundred and seventy thousand Dollars divided on the participating websites, H.H. Sheik Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award is considered the most significant informatics Award in the Arab World. Winners will be honored in the annual celebration conducted under the sublime patronage and generous attendance of the Emir of Kuwait, H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Abul said “the Award took an articulate operational methodology by concentrating on three major tracks. The first track represents the “Informatics Awards” which varies between monetary and other in-kind awards presented to individuals as well as private and public organizations. The Informatics Awards also include the “Kuwait Award”, aimed at individual non-Arab websites and projects owners who reside in Kuwait.”

He added “the Informatics Awards also include the “Arab World Award” which clears the path of competition to all organizations in the Arab countries, along with individual Arab researchers, websites, and projects owners who reside anywhere in the world. Another side of Informatics Awards is the “Recognition Award” in which an owner, being a body or an individual, of a distinctive and creative project, in the digital and informatics fields, can be nominated by filling a form on the Awards’ website, or by emailing the Awards’ management throughout the year. This award includes the “Informatics Medal”, which is the highest and loftiest recognition award given, annually, to an individual or a body who’s distinguished themselves with a notable work and a memorable presence in the informatics development field.”

Among the Recognition Awards there is also the “Informatics Shield” presented to bodies or organizations with innovative achievements in the digital and informatics field, as well as the “Informatics Pendant” given to distinguished individuals in the same fields.

Abul explained that the second track for the Award is the “Informatics Development”. Its purpose is to spread informatics culture and achieve a development that is comprehensive and integral between individuals and organizations by supporting training centers, setting up seminars and assemblies, as well as offering programs that contribute to various digital services quality development. “Informatics Assembly, Informatics Culture Series, and Voluntary Work System” are some of the most important activities in this track.

The third track is “Informatics Knowledge”. Its aim is to expose the civilized face of the Arab World in the informatics field and render the digital public data pertaining to individuals and organizations, covering the entire Arab countries, available to researchers and those interested easily, precisely, and in a comprehensive way. The first activity in this track has already been launched; it is a digital guide which consists of a series of indexes with information on civil, governmental, and private organizations specialized in informatics, located in either in Kuwait or the Arab World. Other activities are Specialists Index, Organizations Index, Individuals Index, Informatics Library, and the E-Forum.

It is worth mentioning that H.H. Sheik Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award was launched in the year 2001, assuming Kuwait as headquarter for their activities which covers all the Arab countries, out of which a huge number of participants have won in the previous years.

- Ends –

The double WRC endorsement ensures the participation of two of the biggest global motoring names for the next two years, and was welcomed throughout Finland’s WRC Service Park and by motorsport fans worldwide.

“This is well deserved award which should be viewed as a sign of applause for the manufacturers’ commitment to WRC,” commented Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), a BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team title sponsor and, Official WRC Destination Partner.

Both Ford and Citroen have long and successful world rally credentials, and their overwhelming WRC success has left an extraordinary legacy. With 71 world rally wins, a record-breaking 115 consecutive points finishes (prior to Rally Finland), and three Constructors Championships, Ford is one of the series’ most successful and formidable teams. Citroen meanwhile boasts an impressive four Constructors Championships, five Drivers Championships, and 58 victories overall.

Gerard Quinn, Senior Manager, Motorsport, at Ford of Europe commented, “We are delighted to have been presented with the Abu Dhabi Spirit of Rally Award – Ford’s continued participation in WRC is so important not only to everyone at Ford but also to the WRC itself and it is fantastic that it has been recognised as such.”