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Pak computer whizkid honoured

DUBAI — Arfa Karim, the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in the world, was honoured at a function held at the Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai on Thursday.

Organised by the Pakistan IT Professionals Forum, the function presented Arfa to the Pakistani community settled in the UAE and shed light on her achievements in information technology at a tender age.

Smart, witty and intelligent, Arfa passed her Microsoft Certified Professional examinations last year on November 9 when she was only nine. She met Bill Gates last month and was also taken on a tour of Microsoft's Redmond campus.

Arfa has recently received the Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal for Science and Technology as well as Salam Pakistan’s Youth Award. She has also met Pakistan’s General President Pervez Musharraf upon his invitation.

Addressing the audience, Syed Qaiser Hussain said: “The whole Pakistani community in the UAE is proud of Arfa and her achievements. We wish her best of luck in the future.” He also suggested that the community set up an account in Arfa’s name so as to assist her in furthering her studies.

With praise being showered upon her, the all-rounder amazed the audience with her quick responses and singing talent.

“In future, I plan to join Microsoft to gain experience. I would like to excel in satellite engineering preferably from Harvard University, but finally I would like to set up my own company,” she said.

Meanwhile, two Khaleej Times staffers were presented with the PakArab Award 2005. Staff reporter Mohammed Abdul Qudoos was presented the PakArab Award by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Air Marshal (retd) Syed Qaiser Hussain on behalf of the Pakistan IT Professionals in recognition of 25 years of journalistic achievements in the UAE. Staff reporter Asma Ali Zain was presented with the PakArab Journalistic Excellence Award 2005 in recognition of the Dubai Shopping Festival Award that she won earlier this year.

Also present at the function were Majeed Habib, Chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Sadruddin Inayat Ali, President Ismaili Council, Saghir Ahmad, General Manager, Finance, Khaleej Times, and Saeed Al Mehairi, Media and Marketing Coordinator, Dubai Summer Surprises.

On the occasion, several prominent Pakistani businessmen presented several valuables gifts, including a wireless laptop, cash and a scholarship programme, to Arfa so that she could continue with her bright future. She was also presented a gift hamper from the DSS committee. Modesh’s presence entertained the children who were present at the function to meet Arfa.

• UAE