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DWC students launch Desert Dawn

The publication, produced solely by students, includes articles about women and education in the UAE which is the theme of the current issue.

The content of the magazine includes stories and features on a former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, coeducation of local emaratis, women going abroad for education, illiteracy among older women and women breaking gender stereotypes in the workplace.

The student driven publication, which is produced twice a year, has global distribution. Desert Dawn is not only an excellent training ground for DWC Communication Technology students, but is a highly informative magazine that is anxiously awaited by readers around the world," stated Dr Howard Reed, DWC Director.

In the creation of the magazine, Communication Technology students integrate languages skills along with graphic designs, journalism, editing, layout and production skills.

Second year communication technology student, Noura Amiri said that Desert Dawn is considered the most important project students produced during the year.

"Desert Dawn combines journalism and graphics and it improves our language skills in both Arabic and English, " she said.

Another second year student, Maryam Abdulla, said her role in writing a feature story about the history of education in Dubai was a challenge, "it made me use a lot of communication skills and experience which I will use in my future work placement," Said Ms Abdulla.

"This edition is rich with wonderful stories about women and education which I imagine will inspire countless readers to pursue lifelong learning no matter what challenges face them," stated Lara Dunston, Communication Technology Supervisor.

DWC Journalism faculty member, Alexandra Wake, said, " It is the strongest issue of Desert Dawn written, designed and produced by students at DWC during my three years at the college.

There are 15 in-depth articles and three opinion pieces on the issues surrounding women and education in the UAE."

DWC Arabic faculty, Hanan Hairab, said the students are very proud that this year Desert Dawn contains two big Arabic articles on six pages.

Desert Dawn was created in 1990-1991 and was originally produced in newsletter format before becoming the magazine format of today.

Desert Dawn, with a distribution of 1,000 copies has grown to be a well-known publication in the local community, the UAE and around the world reaching all of the UAE oversees Embassy's and friends of DWC around the globe. The publication is completely developed by students who are assisted by an editorial board comprising faculty from across the campus.

The magazine's editors rotate from year to year as student's progress through the programme.

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