Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority (CMA) is highlighting a selection of success stories from CNN Academy Abu Dhabi alumni whose professional journeys demonstrate the programme’s growing contribution to developing the next generation of creative media talent in the UAE.
Delivered in partnership with CNN Academy and CMA’s Creative Lab, the tuition-free programme has supported 583 students by the end of its fifth cycle in 2025, including 206 UAE based participants and 377 international students. Since its launch in 2021, the Academy has trained 105 Emiratis and provided participants with practical newsroom experience, industry mentorship and exposure to global media professionals.
““The success of our alumni is one of the clearest measures of the Academy’s impact,” said Aysha Al Jneibi, Director of Talent Management at CMA.
The success stories reflect the wider impact of the programme and CMA’s long-term commitment to developing local creative media talent through strategic partnerships with Abu Dhabi educational institutions, including Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University and other academic partners.
“Through our partnerships with educational institutions and industry leaders, we are creating pathways that enable aspiring storytellers to build meaningful careers within the UAE’s growing creative media ecosystem,” said Al Jneibi.
According to CMA, graduates of the CNN Academy have gone on to pursue opportunities across government communications, the private media sector, entrepreneurship, production and international newsroom environments.
“We are seeing graduates progress into government media roles, international newsrooms, entrepreneurial ventures and creative industry careers, demonstrating the value of investing in talent development and industry-led learning opportunities,” said Al Jneibi.
Campaign Middle East conducted extensive coverage of cohort five of the CNN Academy in 2025. To learn more about the experience, click here.
Among the alumni featured are graduates who have progressed into international newsroom internships, government and corporate communications roles, entrepreneurial ventures and wider creative media opportunities.
Elizaveta Vartanian transitioned from the Academy into an internship with CNN Abu Dhabi before continuing her career in media education, while fellow graduate Fatima Alkaabi co-founded AI Emirati, a cultural storytelling venture focused on preserving and sharing Emirati heritage through technology.
Aleeza Ahmed secured an internship with CNN Abu Dhabi while pursuing postgraduate studies, gaining hands-on newsroom experience across multiple editorial teams. Meanwhile, Omar Alshami and Heba Al Juneibi have applied the skills developed through the Academy across communications, production and broader creative industry initiatives.
These stories represent just a sample of the many talented individuals who have benefited from CNN Academy Abu Dhabi and gone on to pursue careers and opportunities across the UAE’s creative media sector.
“The true legacy of CNN Academy is in our graduates, and we have watched so many extraordinarily talented young storytellers go through our programme over the past five years here in Abu Dhabi,” said Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi and Anchor of Connect the World.
“It is immensely satisfying to see their talent continue to flourish in their chosen careers. The success of this ever-growing group bodes well for the future of journalism and creativity here in the region,” Anderson added.
As CNN Academy Abu Dhabi prepares to welcome its sixth cohort, CMA is encouraging aspiring storytellers, content creators and emerging media professionals to apply and become part of a growing community of talent shaping the future of media in the UAE and beyond.
Applications for the 2026 cohort of CNN Academy Abu Dhabi remain open until 30 June 2026. Open to dedicated students and emerging professionals aged 18 and above, the programme offers practical newsroom experience, training in multiplatform storytelling and direct access to industry professionals from across CNN’s global network.
