Iman Abu Iqran, a bachelor of communication and media student at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD).Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan, the official UAE representatives of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, have announced that Iman Abu Iqran has been selected to represent the UAE at the prestigious Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Academy in June, 2026.
Abu Iqran, a bachelors of communication and media student at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), was selected from a pool of 16 applicants from across universities in the UAE.
Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said, “Congratulations to Iman Abu Iqran from the University of Wollongong in Dubai on her selection to represent the UAE at the 2026 Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Academy. It is wonderful to see the strength of creative talent being nurtured across UAE universities, and Iman is a brilliant example of that. I have no doubt she will shine on this global stage.”
Through multiple rounds of evaluation by Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan, four finalists were shortlisted and put forward to the Roger Hatchuel Academy Jury Panel – a diverse mix of global experts from reputed educational institutions, the industry, and related creative fields.
Commenting on her selection, Abu Iqran said she is ‘beyond grateful’ to be representing the UAE for the 2026 cohort of the Roger Hatchuel Academy at Cannes Lions. “I am so thankful for the support of my professors, my university, and my family in making this possible,” she said. “I have been in love with the arts my entire life, and the chance to learn from and connect with some of the most inspiring minds in the industry at the center of the global creative industry is something I will forever cherish. I cannot wait to experience it firsthand.”
Dr. Michael Mallory, Program Director: Media and Assistant Professor at UOWD, who nominated Abu Iqran for the programme, said: “We are incredibly proud of Iman on her selection to the Roger Hatchuel Academy 2026.”
“I have had the pleasure of seeing Iman continue to develop her creative problem solving, and critical thinking skills, during her time at UOWD, and we couldn’t be more excited to see Iman bring her talents to this prestigious academy.”
Dr. Mallory described Abu Iqran as an ‘extremely dedicated student’, emphasising the significance of her selection as beneficial to the larger creative community in Dubai and the UAE. Other finalists include: Khaled Alkurdi from American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Abdullah Helmi from American University in Dubai, and Haifa Hatahet from American University in Dubai – who all also received exceptional feedback from the Cannes selection panel.
Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan extend their warmest wishes to Abu Iqran as she embarks on this transformative journey, and hope that her experience and learnings at the Roger Hatchuel Academy will create a positive impact and contribute to her future endeavors in the industry.
