Mosaic 2005 opens

Mosaic 2005 was inaugurated by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Education and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

A number of dignitaries, students and faculty of Sharjah HCT were also present.

In his opening address, Shaikh Nahyan said: "Each year I look forward to attending this event. It celebrates human connections and international dialogue - values fundamental to the late Shaikh Zayed's vision for the United Arab Emirates."

He added that the event provides an important platform for learning about the global community.

An estimated 10,000 visitors attended the exhibition over four days. Among them was Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy and Planning.

Members of the Nature Network, an environmental association involved with the Sharjah HCT student councils on many environmental issues also visited.

Other visitors were mainly from HCT colleges and local primary and secondary schools.

A student from Abu Dhabi Men's College, Hassan Al Amandi said, "These events are important because they provide an opportunity for the public to see the kind of work that students can produce."

The civil engineering student added, "I found the rain forest area very interesting - I learned about how rain forests contribute to medicine, food and about the people and animals they support. There were a lot of interesting exhibits."

Russ Brendzy, a faculty member in charge of coordinating the volcano light, sound and smoke, said, "I collaborated with George Hana, Juan Johnson and participating electronics and mechatronics students to help create the volcano. The challenge was to bring it all together - getting everything to happen at the right time."

With over eight landscape areas recreated, the Sharjah HCT made this event a valuable learning experience.

Students felt the exhibition was an engaging way to present information about our natural world.