emirates7 - *CNN Academy Abu Dhabi Celebrates Five Years of Impactful Media Training
CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority (CMA), is marking five influential years of empowering the next generation of journalists. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has equipped 165 young people from Abu Dhabi—including 93 Emiratis—with cutting-edge skills in multiplatform storytelling.
This public-private collaboration offers intensive training to aspiring journalists, combining studio-based learning with online modules and live masterclasses. Each year, local talent is joined by international students from countries such as the US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Spain, Ireland, Iraq, and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. By the end of the fifth training cycle in 2025, over 270 international students will have travelled to Abu Dhabi to complete their training, fostering global collaboration and exchange.
The program is led annually by more than 25 CNN professionals, including anchors, correspondents, and technical experts. By the close of 2025, these instructors will have delivered over 725 hours of instruction through 100 masterclasses and specialized sessions.
Graduates gain lifetime access to CNN Academy’s online learning hub, offering a wide range of self-paced courses and livestreamed masterclasses from global media leaders.
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director-General of CMA, emphasized the program’s impact, stating, “This milestone represents five years of successful collaboration with CNN. By the conclusion of our fifth cycle in November 2025, we will have empowered 436 aspiring media professionals, including 271 international and 165 local students. Developing future journalism talent remains a cornerstone of our creative sector’s progress.”
The theme for CNN Academy Abu Dhabi in 2025 is “Community Storytelling,” in alignment with the UAE’s official Year of Community. The incoming class, beginning in September, will be encouraged to explore journalism that uplifts and engages their communities, with the aim of securing roles or internships in Abu Dhabi’s creative industries—following in the footsteps of 33 previous graduates.
Becky Anderson, CNN Abu Dhabi’s Managing Editor and anchor of *Connect the World*, reflected on the program’s growth: “It’s fitting to celebrate our fifth year by focusing on community storytelling. The Academy itself has fostered a global community of journalists united by a shared purpose. We are immensely proud of our alumni and excited to welcome a new cohort this year.”
In a significant development in 2024, CMA partnered with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to offer academic recognition for the program, bridging education with real-world industry needs. Plans are also underway to establish more academic collaborations and launch a CNN Academy Abu Dhabi careers fair.
Since 2023, the Academy has extended its training to government employees, with 139 individuals from 30 Abu Dhabi entities expected to be trained by the end of 2025.
Participants are trained in key journalistic disciplines, including video and audio storytelling, fact-checking, interviewing, digital reporting, and breaking news procedures. The program culminates in a Simulation Week, where students apply their skills in a high-pressure newsroom environment alongside international peers and CNN experts.
The 2025–26 program is open to passionate storytellers—fresh graduates from 2023 and 2024 or current final-year undergraduates. This year’s masterclasses will be delivered by experts from community-oriented organizations, continuing the tradition of themes such as AI & Cybersecurity and Climate Storytelling from previous years.
Aysha Al Jneibi, CMA’s Director of Talent Management, said, “Aligning our training with the Year of Community ensures that our students engage with stories that matter locally and globally. I look forward to seeing our new cohort thrive as they develop into the media leaders of tomorrow.”
Applications for the 2025–26 cohort are now open and will close on June 30, 2025. Interested candidates can apply through the CNN Academy website: [https://www.cma.gov.ae/cnn-academy](https://www.cma.gov.ae/cnn-academy).
CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority (CMA), is marking five influential years of empowering the next generation of journalists. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has equipped 165 young people from Abu Dhabi—including 93 Emiratis—with cutting-edge skills in multiplatform storytelling.
This public-private collaboration offers intensive training to aspiring journalists, combining studio-based learning with online modules and live masterclasses. Each year, local talent is joined by international students from countries such as the US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Spain, Ireland, Iraq, and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. By the end of the fifth training cycle in 2025, over 270 international students will have travelled to Abu Dhabi to complete their training, fostering global collaboration and exchange.
The program is led annually by more than 25 CNN professionals, including anchors, correspondents, and technical experts. By the close of 2025, these instructors will have delivered over 725 hours of instruction through 100 masterclasses and specialized sessions.
Graduates gain lifetime access to CNN Academy’s online learning hub, offering a wide range of self-paced courses and livestreamed masterclasses from global media leaders.
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director-General of CMA, emphasized the program’s impact, stating, “This milestone represents five years of successful collaboration with CNN. By the conclusion of our fifth cycle in November 2025, we will have empowered 436 aspiring media professionals, including 271 international and 165 local students. Developing future journalism talent remains a cornerstone of our creative sector’s progress.”
The theme for CNN Academy Abu Dhabi in 2025 is “Community Storytelling,” in alignment with the UAE’s official Year of Community. The incoming class, beginning in September, will be encouraged to explore journalism that uplifts and engages their communities, with the aim of securing roles or internships in Abu Dhabi’s creative industries—following in the footsteps of 33 previous graduates.
Becky Anderson, CNN Abu Dhabi’s Managing Editor and anchor of *Connect the World*, reflected on the program’s growth: “It’s fitting to celebrate our fifth year by focusing on community storytelling. The Academy itself has fostered a global community of journalists united by a shared purpose. We are immensely proud of our alumni and excited to welcome a new cohort this year.”
In a significant development in 2024, CMA partnered with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to offer academic recognition for the program, bridging education with real-world industry needs. Plans are also underway to establish more academic collaborations and launch a CNN Academy Abu Dhabi careers fair.
Since 2023, the Academy has extended its training to government employees, with 139 individuals from 30 Abu Dhabi entities expected to be trained by the end of 2025.
Participants are trained in key journalistic disciplines, including video and audio storytelling, fact-checking, interviewing, digital reporting, and breaking news procedures. The program culminates in a Simulation Week, where students apply their skills in a high-pressure newsroom environment alongside international peers and CNN experts.
The 2025–26 program is open to passionate storytellers—fresh graduates from 2023 and 2024 or current final-year undergraduates. This year’s masterclasses will be delivered by experts from community-oriented organizations, continuing the tradition of themes such as AI & Cybersecurity and Climate Storytelling from previous years.
Aysha Al Jneibi, CMA’s Director of Talent Management, said, “Aligning our training with the Year of Community ensures that our students engage with stories that matter locally and globally. I look forward to seeing our new cohort thrive as they develop into the media leaders of tomorrow.”
Applications for the 2025–26 cohort are now open and will close on June 30, 2025. Interested candidates can apply through the CNN Academy website: [https://www.cma.gov.ae/cnn-academy](https://www.cma.gov.ae/cnn-academy).