Dubai: As part of the Emirati Media Talent Pledge initiative, the Dubai Media Council (DMC), in collaboration with Dubai Chambers and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), enabled a group of Emirati media students to gain real-world professional experience and contribute to international media coverage and content production in a global setting.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative is part of DMC's commitment to nurturing the next generation of Emirati media professionals by bridging classroom learning with practical exposure in the field. Through this collaboration, students were able to observe and contribute to media activities that highlight Dubai's growing economic partnerships with international markets.
During the mission, the students supported Dubai Chambers' outreach efforts at the 'Doing Business with Georgia' Forum in Tbilisi and the 'Doing Business with Armenia Forum' in Yerevan held earlier in October. They contributed to content production, on-site coverage, and media relations for the two high-level forums.
Saif Al Suwaidi, Project Manager of Dubai Media Council, emphasized the initiative's role in empowering young Emirati media professionals by providing them with meaningful, hands-on experiences in the industry. He highlighted that the collaboration with Dubai Chambers and HCT helps transform academic learning into real professional opportunities, preparing students to tell compelling stories about the UAE's sustainable development journey and its rise on the global stage both at home and abroad.
Sumaya Alshamsi, Director of International Partnerships at Dubai Chambers, reiterated the commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young Emiratis across a range of fields, including the media sector. She highlighted the importance of strong institutional partnerships in equipping the next generation of media professionals with the skills and awareness needed to keep pace with Dubai's economic momentum and growing influence in global markets.
Dr. Rachel Bentley, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Applied Media at the Higher Colleges of Technology, praised the collaboration for providing students with opportunities to apply their learning in real-world environments, thereby enhancing their storytelling, content production, and communication skills. She emphasized that such experiences are integral to the applied education model, ensuring graduates are ready to contribute effectively to the nation's development and its growing global presence.
The collaboration underscores DMC's vision to support media students in translating learning into professional experience and to strengthen partnerships that advance Dubai's position as a regional hub for media innovation and talent development. Launched last year under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Emirati Media Talent Pledge offers mentorship, training, and employment opportunities for Emirati media students and graduates, supporting Dubai's vision to develop a skilled national media workforce.