The winning team comprised of final year Murdoch students, Gazala Parker, Aishani Zafar, Micah Aguilar, and Sai Kemkar.  

The campaign, created by the students, was called ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind, but Still Our Problem’. 

Joseph Nalloor, Program Coordinator for Communications at Murdoch University Dubai, said the award is a great honour and the students are thrilled to have won. 

“The model campaign was created for the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Its aim is to encourage youth to reduce their waste footprint. 

“The main channels used were social media and in-person events (university sessions and thrift for good). The thrift for good initiative would be facilitating pop up thrift stores to encourage young people to reduce their waste footprint by buying and selling used or upcycled products."

It’s a perfect solution for youth, who spend a lot on keeping up with trends and impulsive shopping.” Mr Joseph Nalloor

A second Murdoch University Dubai student team was awarded a Highly Commended certificate in the same category from the judges as a recognition of their work.  

The team included students, Kashish Punjabi, Arren Mercado, Burhanuddin Bakrawala, and Aidan John. 

A third team of Murdoch Dubai students had also qualified as finalists in the same category – team members included Tanish Shetty, Megan Gracias, Rhea Chadda, and Amaan Mohammad. 

Finally, two alumni were also nominated by employers in the Intern of the Year category with Murdoch University Dubai alumni Noura Al Makhmari being awarded a Highly Commended Certificate by the judges. 

Dean Murdoch University Dubai, James Trotter congratulated the students on their remarkable efforts and encouraged them to keep innovating to change the world for the better. 

Congratulations to our students for their nominations and wins at the PRCA MENA Awards. You should be immensely proud that your tremendous hard work has been recognised by the largest public relations body in the world. This is a fantastic achievement."Dr James Trotter, Dean Murdoch University Dubai

The 2022 ceremony is the sixth edition of the PRCA MENA awards and was held at the Rixos Premium Dubai JBR with award winners across 26 categories for campaigns undertaken by communications professionals in the region during 2021. 

In November 2021, Murdoch University Dubai communications students had won the Outstanding Student Campaign award at the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Awards with two other student teams also being shortlisted as finalists.