Jury for Dubai Print Awards announced

The Printing and Publishing Group, part of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), announced six members of the Dubai Print Awards 2008 judging panel.

The Dubai Print Award 2008 will be held on January 27, under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, said Dubai's chamber of commerce.

Panel members for the awards include Thomas Kuen, Department Head for Print Finishing of Fogal Forschungesellschaft Druck e.V.; Nicholas R Jung, Scheme Director of London College of Communication; Karl Kowalczyk, Vice-President for Print Media Centre of Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG; Daniel Siegel, Technical Services Manager of UPM – Kymmene Sales GMBH; Joachim Englich, CEO, Heidelberg Druckmaschinen; and Hemant Ranadive, the Production Head of FCB Ulka India.

The awards recognise excellence in 20 print and publishing categories.

Nominees of the award will compete in 20 categories featuring six new Digital Printing Maximum Size (A3) awards.

The Digital Printing category will encompass point-of-purchase materials, posters, annual reports, cards, brochures and catalogues, and newsletters.

Hassan Al Hashemi, Director, External Relations, DCCI, said: "The awards aim at honouring outstanding printing establishments in the UAE and other GCC countries, distinguished for quality control, management efficiency and contemporary technological advancement.

"It sets an example to mobilise those working in the printing sector to develop their products to international standards."

Ahmad bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Chairman of Printing and Publishing Group, said: "The printing industry in the region has developed in leaps and bounds in recent years, in line with the rapid pace of business growth being witnessed across the Gulf countries."

"We are also privileged to have a distinguished panel of judges this year, who play a very important role in reaffirming the significance of this award," the chairman said.