In focus

British Ambassador Jamie Bowden presented certificates to the two successful Bahraini recipients of the Foreign and Commonwealth Chevening Fellowship Awards for 2007.

The Fellowship Award Certificates were given to women’s rights activist Afaf Aljamri and Interior Ministry official Shaikh Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, at a presentation held at British Embassy, Manama. Earlier this year, Ms Aljamri attended the Gender, Social Justice and Citizenship course at University College London and Shaikh Salman took part in a Tackling International Organised Crime course at Bramshill, UK. Left, at the event are, from left, Ms Lindsey, Ms Aljamri, Mr Bowden and Shaikh Salman.

A commemorative plaque was presented by the Bahrain International Seafarers’ Society to the Association of Bahrain Shipping Agents and Freight Forwarders, at the society’s Seafarers’ Welfare Centre, Mina Salman. The association had presented a cheque for BD558 to the society, after raising the money in a cricket tournament. The money will be used to aid the society’s charity activities. Also present were representatives from the various shipping agents who participated in the tournament, including Intercol representatives Alex Mathew and E Santhosh, as well as Almoayyed Barwil representative Gerald Mendes. Above, at the presentation are, back row from left, Mission to Seafarers chaplain Reverend Victor Salve, Mr Mendes, BISS treasurer Bryan Levett, BISS board member Michael Grieve and, front row from left, Mr Mathew, BISS chairman Captain Ali Haji Hasan and Mr Santhosh.

Cheques totalling BD1,962 have been donated to three charities by St Christopher’s Junior School. The cheques, each worth BD654, were donated to Dream Flight, the Palm Association and a children’s orphanage in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The school also decided to help the orphanage in Colombo after sisters Manon and Aislinn Cote visited it with their family while on holiday last Easter. Present at the cheque presentations were Dream Flight Bahrain representative Debbie Beedie, Palm Association representatives Nadia Shaheen and Nadia Swan, pupils Natalie Simpson and Emma Appleton, who helped raise funds for the orphanage, staff and other pupils. Manon and Aislinn are out of Bahrain. The Green Packet Networks Inaugural Partner Forum 2007 was held at the Mercure Grand Hotel in Seef on July 11 and 12. Over 55 participants from 13 countries took part in the forum. The company is a technology solution provider and has operations in Malaysia (HO), Taiwan, Shanghai, Australia, USA, and now operating for the MENA region from Bahrain.

The Green Packet Networks Inaugural Partner Forum 2007 was held at the Mercure Grand Hotel in Seef on July 11 and 12. Over 55 participants from 13 countries took part in the forum. The company is a technology solution provider and has operations in Malaysia (HO), Taiwan, Shanghai, Australia, USA, and now operating for the MENA region from Bahrain.

Alba chief executive Ahmed Al Noaimi honoured teams who participated in the company’s various sporting activities last year. More than 200 people were recognised for their efforts. 

A reception was held by British Ambassador Jamie Bowden at the embassy premises, Manama, for the latest group of recipients of the Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme who are planning to study in the UK. The students met Mr Bowden and other embassy officials to discuss their plans at UK schools and universities.

Nicanor Odejar, the newly-installed president of the AFAEAT Toastmasters Club took oath at a ceremony at the Majestic Hotel, Juffair. Mr Odejar along with his officers was inducted by Toastmaster District K Governor Mohammed Salim during the club’s first meeting for the July-December term.

Twenty-five children graduated from the Kerala Social and Cultural Association’s summer camp. The children, aged six to 15, performed ‘Kalari’, the ancient Kerala martial arts, at the ceremony. The 10-day camp included arts and crafts, English, house safety lecture, martial arts and field trips. Indian School principal Dr A S Pillai presented the certificates to the participants. Above, Dr Pillai, front row, right, along with the children.

Bahrain-based BankMuscat International has announced the successful close and signing of its three-year syndicated term-loan facility at a signing ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa. The general syndication received strong support from the international bank market and the facility was oversubscribed by 60 per cent. As a result, the loan amount was increased from the initial $75 million to $120million. The signing ceremony was attended by chairman Shaikh AbdulMalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, chief executive Abdul Razak Ali Issa, senior bank representatives as well as other mandated lead arrangers and the participating banks.

Bahrain Hotels Company donated BD1,000 to the Indian Ladies Association in support of its Golden Jubilee project, which started early this year. Two more destitute families are to get their homes rebuilt under the ‘A roof of your heads’ project, which is also supported by the Bahrain Philanthropic Society and Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau.

Property Administrator Abduljabar Kallingal Nalonnil won a Ford Focus 2007 car at a raffle draw held by Y K Almoayyed and Sons. The winning ticket was drawn up by Ashrafs executive director Amal Almoayyed at the Ashrafs store in Hoora. Y K Almoayyed and Sons loyalty card holders were eligible to enter the draw. The next raffle draw will be held towards the end of the year and the prize will be a Renault Megan.