Post by : Bianca Suleiman
The Creative Media Authority has wrapped up the fifth edition of CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, solidifying its position as a key player in global media education and talent development.
This three-week program united a diverse cohort of emerging journalists and storytellers for immersive training in production, digital storytelling, and multiplatform reporting. Aimed at bridging academic knowledge with real-world newsroom skills, this edition emphasized professional readiness and significant industry connections.
Inaugural Job Fair Launched
A highlight of this year's edition was the first-ever job fair, designed to assist participants in transitioning from their training to professional roles. The event allowed current attendees and alumni from earlier classes to connect directly with recruiting leaders and decision-makers from prestigious media and creative firms.
Students engaged in initial interviews, explored internship opportunities, and built vital professional networks with industry employers. Participating organizations included MarketingEnds, Factor31, Edelman, Brunswick, Frontier25, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Starzplay, and Forbes Middle East, emphasizing the program's robust industry integration.
Training by Experts and Global Insights
The latest edition included a rich agenda of workshops and training sessions led by CNN anchors, correspondents, technical specialists, and international experts and industry leaders. Key topics covered included ethical journalism, climate reporting, global health communication, youth empowerment, and immersive digital storytelling.
Highlighted speakers featured in the program included Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of Frontier25; His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of Youth; Dr. Paul Spiegel, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health; Mamadou Sow, Regional Head for the GCC at the ICRC; Hannah Cockburn-Logie, Deputy Director of Communications at the Gates Foundation; and Amir Berenjian, CEO of REM5 Studios.
Their insights unveiled the shifting role of media in confronting global challenges and fostering public understanding.
International Participation and Academic Collaboration
This year's academy attracted students from esteemed universities across the UAE, Europe, Asia, and the United States. UAE institutions included Abu Dhabi University, Al Ain University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology, which offered official academic credits to participating students. Zayed University is also set to present a special certificate to its CNN Academy students this year.
International participants joined from CNN Academy Erbil, University College Dublin, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Hong Kong Chu Hai College, Johns Hopkins University, and Northwestern University in Qatar. Many traveled to Abu Dhabi specifically for Simulation Week, further enhancing the capital's reputation as a global talent development hub.
Emphasis on Community Storytelling
In line with the UAE’s Year of Community, this edition focused on Community Storytelling. Participants delved into how narrative can elevate public awareness, fortify social connections, and encapsulate lived experiences. Through interviews, field reporting, written pieces, and newsroom simulations, students explored the narrative's potential to foster inclusive and well-informed communities.
Commitment to Creative Sector Growth
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of the Creative Media Authority, emphasized the academy's vital role in nurturing young talent and supporting the creative sectors.
The fifth edition of CNN Academy Abu Dhabi underscores the need for strategic partnerships in cultivating skills and expanding opportunities for budding media professionals, he noted. The academy has emerged as a pivotal platform for aspiring storytellers, reaffirming Abu Dhabi's status as a center for creative excellence.
Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi and anchor of Connect the World, remarked on the program's lasting influence on graduates and the greater media landscape.
Hundreds of CNN Academy alumni are now making their mark globally, employing the skills and principles they acquired here. This initiative has significantly enriched their education, careers, and the quality of professional journalism at a crucial time in the industry.
Career Prospects Post-Academy
CNN Academy Abu Dhabi continues to pave tangible career pathways into the creative media industry. Graduates often secure both full-time and part-time roles, as well as internships and project-based opportunities with organizations like CNN Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Media Office, twofour54, Bidaya Media, and the Creative Media Authority.
Many also contribute to major local and international screen productions, forming a growing pool of skilled professionals who support the expanding creative and media ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
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