The UAE Media Council has struck a partnership with IMI, a global private-sector media group head-quartered in the UAE, in an effort to nurture Emirati talent and enhance the UAE’s media sector on the world stage.
The agreement forms part of the UAE Media Council’s Media Apprenticeship Programme, launched last May alongside the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis), to train and equip nationals in media.
Signed at IMI’s new Abu Dhabi headquarters, the agreement was formalised by H.E. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, and Rani Raad, CEO of IMI Group.
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H.E. Maitha Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Media Strategy and Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, attended alongside several directors and department heads from both organisations.
H.E. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, emphasised the need for unified national efforts and stronger partnerships with private media entities. ““This partnership demonstrates the UAE Media Council’s commitment to empowering the media sector to attain global leadership by investing in the development of national skills and talents and equipping them with the latest media tools and technologies,” he said.
The collaboration with IMI, he continued, aligns with the UAE’s national vision to develop “a new generation of talents capable of spearheading the sector and achieving significant accomplishments in the future.”
He also expressed his excitement over the choice of IMI, citing its “global expertise and leading-edge capabilities” as ideal for training young nationals. “We look forward to realising the nation’s goals and ambitions,” he said, adding that the partnership would help “foster innovative and sustainable media that contributes to achieving the nation’s goals and enhances its global standing.”
Raad echoed these ambitions. “We are proud to be the first global media group in the UAE to partner with the UAE Media Council on this initiative,” he said. “We will work together to develop the next wave of Emirati media professionals and promote the expansion of this important industry.”
He further detailed IMI’s planned involvement, including hands-on training through the IMI Media Academy, and opportunities within IMI’s portfolio, which includes Sky News Arabia, The National, Al Ain News, and CNN Economy.
The collaboration ultimately aims to establish a robust media ecosystem in the UAE, supported by ‘quality and flexibility.’
IMI aims to provide intensive training programs and career paths for Emirati talent, advancing the Council’s vision of cultivating Emirati media professionals who can produce innovative content that reflects the UAE’s image on a global scale.
