Charting a new course in media studies

The media sector in the country is set to get an Emiratisation boost with a new initiative by the National Media Council and the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Information at the American University of Dubai.

By Ahmed Al Majaida

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Published: Tue 15 Jun 2010, 10:42 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 3:08 AM

The focus is on training UAE nationals to join the growing industry.

Last week, the Mohammed bin Rashid Media College at the American University of Dubai announced a partnership with the National Media Council. The meeting was attended by Ahmed Ali Al Balushi, general manager of Emirates Media Inc and a board member of the council.

Media courses for young nationals at the AUD will begin in October this year. Under the agreement, tudents will gain exposure to work situations in local organisations.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ibrahim Al Abed, Director-General of the National Media Council, said recruitment of more nationals in the local media is vital for the growth of the sector. He said it was part of the council’s strategy and the media was important for promoting the national interest. This partnership was a major step in the process, he added.

“The media council will later start training media students in collaboration with many colleges within the UAE to create leaders with hands-on experience,” Al Abed added. “Editorials are the council’s main focus, as more locals are needed.”

The programme for Emirati students will have scholarships provided by the Mohammed bin Rashid Media College for students pursuing a bachelors degree in Communication Studies and Information.

The council plans to rope in the Emirates Academy, Abu Dhabi Free Zone and Reuters for this major project soon. ‘‘More will be added to the council’s list as the idea has just started.”

The needs of Emirati students planning postgraduate media courses have also been taken into account. The college in cooperation with the council will introduce special training courses to meet global standards. “We plan to raise the curriculum to a global level with practical training thrown in,” Ali Jaber, said.

“The objective is to meet local demands through the best in the world journalism,” he said.

Sami Aboudi, a Reuters spokesman, said: “We will conduct the training course, which includes a 10-week practical course at the college and 10 weeks of internship with a media organisation.

“The National Media Council will supervise the programme, with logistical support will come from the 2,454 Academy, Abu Dhabi Free Zone.’’

The Mohammed bin Rashid Media College was established in Dubai in 2008 with the support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Saoud Al Kaabi, a Mass Communications graduate student from the American University of Sharjah, said it was an excellent idea to improve standards of journalism education to meet the aspirations of Emiratis. “This will help students gain experience in the media; I might join to obtain more experience to meet job requirements.”

Hamid bin Karam, a media graduate from Sharjah University, said basic university courses are not enough and such a course would fill the gap.

“I will join the course to increase my media knowledge, because most university’s courses are weak, I found it difficult to interact with the real working world after I graduated,” he said.

Ali Jaber, Dean of the Mohammed bin Rashid Media College, AUD, said the college is keen to enhance coordination with the National Media Council. “Appropriate training programmes for local journalists will go a long way in the development of the sector,’’ he said. “The college brings in experts from all over the world to train students on trends, strategic public diplomacy and government.”

ahmedjamal@khaleejtimes.com


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