GMU inspires 3000 students at 15th Medical & Science Exhibition to pursue careers in Healthcare
United Arab Emirates(Press Release): Gulf Medical University (GMU) concluded its 15th edition of Annual Medical and Science Exhibition (MASE) competition for high school students, which saw the participation of more than 81 schools in five different categories- including project, poster, painting, music and poetry.
Held online, more than 3000 students of grades 10, 11 and 12 from across the country had put together approximately 500 exhibits in the project, poster, music, poetry and painting categories, competing for cash prizes of AED 25,000 in total, in addition to trophies and certificates. The competitions were judged by a panel comprising of leading doctors, professors and medical science professionals. A total of three winners were declared in each of the five categories by a panel of judges that comprised eminent doctors and faculty members from GMU; whereas even online voting was conducted for Viewer’s Choice awards.
Professor Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, gave away the prizes to all the winners/runners of the competition. Explaining the aim of the annual exhibition, Prof. Hossam Hamdy, said, “Every year GMU MASE stimulates the creative talents of young scientists and instills in them an interest in medical and science based careers. It provides the students a platform to integrate art and scientific thinking and to apply the knowledge and idea to the championship, thereby creating an engagement which inspires the consciousness of future medical and science professionals.”
Out of 500 entries received, Erfan Firouzi from the Westminister School Dubai (Grade 10), Hari Srinivasan from Global Indian School, Ajman (Grade 11) and Mansi Bhatia (Grade 12) from Al Diyafah High School Dubai claimed the first place in project making and were awarded cash prizes for their work. Similarly, Eco Friends from Delta English School, Sharjah (Grade 10), Sindhu Rachapudi from Abu Dhabi Indian School (Grade 11) and Hari Srinivasan from Global Indian School, Ajman (Grade 12) secured the first position in poster making competition.
Meanwhile, Bernice Bodemeh (Grade 10) from Our Own English High School Fujairah, Kena Patel (Grade 11) from Indian High School Dubai and Ciril Biju Joseph (Grade 12) from Leaders Private School Sharjah won the first position in painting competition. Lastly, Mariam Maali (Grade 10) from Sama American private school, Sharjah, Oliver Gullick (Grade 11) from Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and Benamin Cal (Grade 12) from Al Afiah Filipino Private School, Sharjah wowed the jury with their music skills and securing the first position. The other three winners in poetry competition included Safoora Abdus (Grade 10) from International Indian School Ajman, Azra Fairooz (Grade 11) from Sharjah Indian School Ghubaiba and Rashi Sinha (Grade 12) from GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Girls.
Separately, for the Viewer’s Choice painting competition: Habiba Rahman (Grade 10) from The Westminster School Dubai; Annmaria Pathrose (Grade 11) from Our own English High School Sharjah and Aafreen Nazer (Grade 12) from Sharjah Indian School bagged the first position respectively. Likewise, for the Viewer’s Choice project competition: Darshini Ramesh (Grade 10) from Leaders Private School, Javaria Batool (Grade 11) from Dubai Scholars Private School and Najma (Grade 12) from Cambridge International School, Dubai secured the maximum votes.
In addition, for the Viewer’s Choice poster competition: Shahazad Nazar (Grade 10) from Leaders Private School Sharjah; Rejoyna Pauline (Grade 11) from Own English High school Sharjah and Tamanna Khanam (Grade 12) from Leaders Private School, Sharjah secured the maximum votes. For the Viewer’s choice poetry category: Hibah Fathima Anshar (Grade 10) from Sharjah Indian School; Naurin Faisal (Grade 11) and Neha Beno (Grade 12), both of them, from The Indian High School Dubai gained the first rank.
Lastly, for the Viewer’s choice music category: Grace Gurudev Sharma (Grade 10) from Gems Our Own English High School, Sharjah; Khadeejath Shazfa Shafeer (Grade 11) from Sharjah Indian School and Hiba Anwar (Grade 12) from Pristine Private School won the prize.
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Mangaluru’s H.M. Pernal awarded Sahitya Akademi Award for Konkani literature
New Delhi: Popular Konkani writer and journalist H.M. Pernal (Henry Mendonca) from Mangaluru has been awarded the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award for his acclaimed literary criticism work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
The award was presented to Pernal by Akademi President Madhav Kaushik on March 31, 2026, at 6:30 pm at Kamani Auditorium.
The awards were presented in 23 languages, while the Malayalam awardee could not attend due to ill health. Aneish P. Rajan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, was also present. Renowned Hindi author Vishwanath Tiwari attended as the chief guest and delivered the keynote address. Vice President Prof. Kumud Sharma and Secretary Pallavi Holkar were also present.
The Sahitya Akademi Award is among the highest literary honours conferred in India. Each year, the Akademi recognises outstanding literary works in 24 languages, including 22 scheduled languages along with English and Rajasthani.
Konkani has been a scheduled language since 1992 and is spoken across Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The language received recognition from the Sahitya Akademi in 1975, and awards for Konkani literature have been presented since 1977.
From Mangaluru, Cha. Fra. D’Costa (1992) and Melvyn Rodrigues (2011) had earlier received the Sahitya Akademi Award for their poetry collections, while Edwin J.F.D. Souza was honoured in 2016 for his novel. With this recognition, H.M. Pernal becomes the fourth Konkani writer from Karnataka to receive the award.
His work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam has marked a significant milestone by becoming the first Konkani book in the literary criticism category to be honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award. Prior to this recognition, the book had already received the Best Book Award from the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023.
The publication features a detailed foreword by Jnanpith awardee Damodar Mauzo and has been brought out by Kavita Publications, Mangaluru.
Henry Mendonca was born in Pernal, located in Udupi district. He completed his schooling at Hindu Junior College in Shirva, pursued his undergraduate studies at MSRS College, and later went on to complete his postgraduate education in Mumbai. By profession, he is a commercial accountant.
He began his literary journey writing in Kannada, contributing to magazines such as Taranga, Sankramana and Shudra. In the early 1980s, he transitioned into Konkani literature, initially working as a cartoonist for the magazine Yuvak. Over time, he evolved into a multifaceted literary figure, establishing himself as a short story writer, poet, critic, editor and publisher.
In 2011, he launched the online literary magazine ‘Kitaal,’ which has been continuously published for the past fourteen years and has emerged as a significant platform for both established and emerging writers in the digital Konkani literary space.
Two years later, in 2013, he founded the literary magazine ‘Arso’ as a fortnightly publication, which has since transitioned into a monthly magazine now in its twelfth year, currently edited by poet Wilson Katil. The annual special issues of Arso have earned notable recognition within literary circles.
Through his publishing initiative Kitaal Prakashan, Mendonca has brought out more than 15 original literary works.
His published works include four poetry collections—Chalyank Chatray (1999), Kaydyacho Kavita (2004), Bhamunanchem Chedum (2006) and Janel (2025).
He has also authored two short story collections—Devak Sodullo Pado (2002) and Beeg Ani Bigat (2016)—in addition to his award-winning critical work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
His short story collection Beeg Ani Bigat received the Shrimati Vimala V. Pai Best Literary Work Award in 2017, instituted by the Vishwa Konkani Kendra in memory of the mother of entrepreneur T.V. Mohandas Pai. In recognition of his contribution to Konkani poetry, he was honoured with the Mathayas Family Endowment Poetry Award by Kavita Trust in 2018.
He was also honoured with the Best Book Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 for Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam, the Konkani Sahitya Gaurav Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2022, the Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava Award in 2023 for his contributions to Konkani literature and journalism, and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023 for the same book.
Pernal has written more than 850 poems, over 100 short stories and more than 2,000 articles. Through print and digital media, he has consistently contributed to the growth of Konkani literature.
Since 2012, he has been identifying and encouraging emerging writers by presenting the Kitaal Yuva Puraskar every year. The award is sponsored by the family of Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues and includes a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.
At present, Pernal is the chief editor of the Vision Konkani Book Grant Project initiated by Michael D’Souza. Under this scheme, Konkani writers are provided financial assistance of up to Rs 40,000 for the publication of a book.
The project, with a total budget of Rs 40 lakh, is fully sponsored by NRI entrepreneur and Konkani language patron Michael D’Souza. It is being implemented under the supervision of the Vishwa Konkani Kendra and aims to support the publication of 100 books over a five-year period.
A committed leader in the Konkani literary community, Pernal served as the working president of the All India Silver Jubilee Konkani Literary Conference held in Mangaluru in 2023. He is currently serving as the treasurer of the All India Konkani Parishad.
He has also served as the president of the Konkani Writers’ Union and is presently a member of the Konkani Language Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi.
