Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation upholds importance of media with new educational initiative

The "Young National Press Leaders" program is taking place in Zayed University, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), and UAE University, in a series of seminars.

"The aim of this ambitious program is to involve young nationals in the process of writing, reading and reporting, by giving them the yearning to become professionals, according to the highest standards of communication, media and journalism," says Mrs. Hoda Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF.

Mr. Mazroui confirms that "With the expert knowledge of Mr. Joseph Moukarzel, Editor in Chief of Ad-Dabbour newspaper and the support of Al Ittihad newspaper, the leading Arabic paper of the UAE, we want to create the best conditions for teamwork spirit and to give students the proper tools for them to understand and comprehend the press industry and the different techniques and methodology involved in creating and producing."

The Young National Press Leaders seminars began in November, and are regularly attended by over 40 students. The initiative is supported by Al Ittihad newspaper, which will eventually publish a supplement created by the students of the Young National Press Leaders program. This will be a joined project between the universities, and will be the students' final Young National Press Leaders project.

The objective of the very first seminar was to introduce the students to production, and to get them to acknowledge the art of journalism by practicing the science of written press. Moukarzel has a series of 35 seminars lined up, which will culminate in the production of a student magazine, which will include various articles that will have been written throughout the year.

The seminars will include many sessions and classes about the methodology of Press writing by Mr. Joseph Moukarzel and many prominent guest speakers, such as Rashid Al Oraimi, Editor in Chief of Al Ittihad newspaper, Nik Gowing, BBC World presenter who visited Zayed University in November 2007, and spoke to students about the impact of the media in the world, in a world where the media has evolved into a prime power.

"'Media is the fourth power,' this is what we used to say in the 20th century," Hoda Kanoo added. "But this saying is to be changed today to fit in the future centuries, because media is surely upgrading and becoming the first power. Every country must generate its own communication policy issued from its culture, traditions and habits."