Shams News

Shams Welcomes Participants of the Eighth Arab Youth Media Leaders Programme

Sharjah, UAE – 3 October 2026: Sharjah Media City “Shams” welcomed 50 participants of the eighth edition of the Arab Youth Media Leaders Programme, organised by the Arab Youth Center, as part of its ongoing efforts to empower young Arab media professionals and equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape.

The visit featured a series of specialised training workshops and interactive sessions, giving participants an opportunity to explore Shams’ experience in supporting the media and creative industries, while gaining insights into emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and its applications in media and content creation.

The programme also introduced participants to Shams’ key services and initiatives supporting media and creative institutions and talents, as well as the city’s integrated business environment and its role in empowering entrepreneurs and businesses operating across the media, creative and technology sectors.

Rashid Abdalla Al Obad, Director General of Sharjah Media City “Shams”, said:
“Arab youth are a key force in shaping the future of media. It is therefore important to create opportunities that enable them to develop their skills and gain practical knowledge and experience. At Shams, we believe that empowering young media professionals extends beyond sharing knowledge. It is about creating an interactive environment where they can learn, experiment and explore the opportunities created by technology and innovation.”

He added: “The media sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological advancement and artificial intelligence. This requires young media professionals to develop new skills and tools, while maintaining a continuous commitment to learning, adapting and innovating.”

For her part, Eng. Fatima Al Hallami, Executive Director of the Arab Youth Center, said: “Through the Arab Youth Media Leaders Programme, we want participants to gain first-hand insight into how media organisations operate and experience how ideas become content and projects, along with the knowledge, skills and professional decisions this process requires. Their visit to Sharjah Media City “Shams” offers an opportunity to learn from an experience that brings together media production, creative industries and entrepreneurship, broadening their understanding of the career paths they can pursue in the sector.”

She added: “We want participants to come away from these experiences with deeper questions, a clearer understanding of their role and a greater ability to develop and put their ideas into practice. Preparing future media leaders begins with broadening young people’s perspectives, connecting them with experienced professionals and giving them room to experiment and make decisions, while strengthening their awareness of the responsibility they carry for the content they present to the public.”

At the same time, identity and the Arabic language remain fundamental to creating media content that reaches and engages audiences while reflecting Arab issues and interests in a professional and creative manner.”

As part of the programme, participants attended specialised workshops and sessions addressing key topics in modern media, including the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in content development and media production. Interactive discussions also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences and explore practical approaches adopted across the sector.

The participants also toured the studios of Madar Media, the media and creative arm of Shams, where they explored its facilities, equipment and range of services spanning media production, podcasting, content creation, training and creative services. The tour highlighted the integrated ecosystem that brings together media infrastructure and specialised services for media and creative talents and institutions.

The visit concluded with a tour of the Shams Business Center, where participants explored its facilities, technologies and workspaces, gaining an insight into the integrated business environment Shams provides to support institutions, entrepreneurs and talents operating across the media, creative and technology sectors.

Shams’ hosting of participants of the eighth edition of the Arab Youth Media Leaders Programme underscores its commitment to empowering Arab youth, facilitating knowledge and experience exchange, and contributing to the development of a new generation of media professionals equipped to respond to the sector’s evolving needs and contribute to the future of Arab media.