Dubai Press Club Graduates 2nd Arab Podcast Programme Cohort

Post by : Mamta

Dubai Press Club (DPC) recently announced the graduation of the second group of participants in the Arab Podcast Programme, the first initiative of its kind in the Arab world. The programme aims to support young content creators and develop the podcast industry across the region.

The announcement was made during the fifth edition of Dubai PodFest, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. The event also recognized the top three winners of the programme, highlighting the Club’s dedication to innovation and global competitiveness in podcasting.

Launched by the Dubai Press Club, the Arab Podcast Programme helps young Arabs create meaningful and engaging audio content. This year, 24 participants joined the programme from different countries in the Arab world. They worked on podcasts covering a variety of topics, including society, culture, artificial intelligence (AI), sports, education, media, and the arts. This diversity shows the creativity and talent of young Arab creators.

Empowering Young Talent

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of Dubai Press Club, congratulated the graduates. She said the programme was designed to improve the skills of content creators and allow them to share stories and insights that matter to the Arab community.

She noted that podcasting is growing fast in the region, with more listeners tuning in each day. By training young creators, the programme aims to prepare them to play an active role in shaping the Arab media landscape. Recognizing outstanding projects, Al Marri added, encourages creativity and inspires participants to produce high-quality and impactful content.

Winners of the Arab Podcast Programme

The graduation ceremony also celebrated the top three winners of the programme:

• First Place: Amani Abdullah Al Taneiji, an Emirati writer and educator, for her podcast “Mareekh”, which provides a safe space for mothers to share personal experiences and gain insights from research and academic knowledge.

• Second Place: Raghd Al Arishi, a Saudi media professional, for her podcast “Qudam”, which explores cultural and tourism destinations in the Gulf, highlighting their history and heritage.

• Third Place: Tahani Mohammed Zuhayman for “Esma’ha Meni” (Hear It from Me), which shares Arab heritage and traditional proverbs through short, engaging stories in classical Arabic.

The winners received prizes to help them continue their podcasting journey. Dubai Media will fully produce and publish a complete season for the first-place winner. The second-place winner will create six episodes in collaboration with Poddster, and the third-place winner will receive a full podcast kit from Media Cast. Other participants with notable projects will receive 20 free recording hours to further support their work.

Programme Impact and Community Support

Maryam Al Mulla, Director of Dubai Press Club, explained that the programme provides a full hands-on experience for participants. From planning a podcast to distributing it globally, creators learn to produce content that has a real impact on their communities. Recognizing outstanding work, she said, reflects the Club’s mission to empower young Arabs and foster creativity.

Mahfoudha Abdullah, Manager of Dubai PodFest, added that participants’ projects demonstrated both ambition and skill. She noted that the programme equips young creators with the confidence to succeed in digital media, preparing a new generation of Arab talent capable of competing regionally and internationally, while reflecting Arab cultural values.

Supporting Dubai’s Digital Media Leadership

The Arab Podcast Programme is part of Dubai Press Club’s efforts to strengthen Dubai’s position as a regional hub for digital media and audio content. It encourages young Arabs to develop their skills, launch innovative projects, and contribute to a vibrant Arabic podcast industry. By nurturing talent and promoting creativity, the programme helps build a strong, influential, and culturally rich media landscape in the Arab world.

Dubai Press Club, Arab Podcast Programme, Dubai PodFest, Arab content creators