UAE Media Council, IMI to train, recruit national talents

emirates7 - The UAE Media Council has signed a partnership agreement with IMI, a leading global private-sector media group, to develop national talent in the media industry and enhance the sector's infrastructure and international competitiveness.

This collaboration is part of the Media Apprenticeship Programme, launched by the UAE Media Council last May in partnership with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis).

The agreement was formalized at IMI’s new Abu Dhabi headquarters, with Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, and Rani Raad, CEO of IMI Group, signing the agreement. The signing ceremony was attended by Maitha Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Media Strategy and Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, along with other officials from both organizations.

Al Shehhi stressed the importance of unified national efforts and stronger collaboration with private media companies. He highlighted the valuable opportunities such partnerships provide for enhancing Emirati competencies and acquiring advanced media skills. He also commended IMI's contributions to supporting the UAE’s vision of developing a globally competitive media landscape.

He stated, "This partnership underscores the UAE Media Council’s dedication to empowering the media sector to achieve global leadership by investing in the development of national skills and talents. Equipping them with cutting-edge tools and technologies aligns with the vision of our leadership to nurture a new generation of professionals capable of driving the sector forward and achieving remarkable milestones."

Al Shehhi expressed enthusiasm for working with IMI, recognizing its global expertise as an ideal platform for training and employing Emirati talent. He emphasized the importance of preparing professionals for the job market and advancing the UAE's media ambitions.

Rani Raad highlighted IMI’s pride in being the first global media group in the UAE to partner with the UAE Media Council on this initiative. "We are committed to cultivating the next generation of Emirati media professionals and expanding this vital industry," Raad said. He noted that IMI’s extensive portfolio, including brands such as Sky News Arabia, The National, Al Ain News, and CNN Economy, along with the IMI Media Academy, would offer Emirati talent unparalleled access to world-class training and career opportunities.

Through its network of companies and investments, IMI will provide aspiring media professionals with exposure to global best practices and standards, enabling them to contribute to the sector’s growth.

The partnership aims to enhance awareness of media programmes and initiatives that align with the UAE’s vision of building a flexible and high-quality media ecosystem. IMI will deliver intensive training and career development opportunities, supporting the UAE Media Council’s mission to nurture a creative generation of Emirati media professionals capable of producing innovative content that positively represents the UAE on a global stage.