Zayed University Media Center in alliance with Dubai Press Club to conduct in-depth media training workshops

The partnership is also aimed at creating a repository of best-practice knowledge through extensive research.

"This program offers media professionals in the UAE a unique opportunity to benefit from the high-caliber resources of Zayed University. Both Zayed University and the Dubai Press Club are committed to excellence in training and life-long education," said Dr. Hanif Al Qassimi, Vice President of Zayed University.

"One primary goal of Zayed University Media Center is to help strengthen the quality of journalism in the United Arab Emirates," says Kenneth Starck, newly appointed Dean of the College of Communication and Media Sciences at Zayed University. "We anticipate a long and successful partnership with the Dubai Press Club as we move forward together offering certification workshops that will help reporters and editors hone their skills."

"The Dubai Press Club besides aiming to foster interaction among media professionals around the world also aims at fostering the pursuit of journalistic excellence. In line with this mission we are pleased to announce training courses for our journalist members organized in collaboration with Zayed University Media Center," said Mona Al Marri, Executive Manager of Dubai Press Club.

"In today's fast track media environment media professionals have to keep up with the demands of their work and also upgrade their skills. These workshops organized in collaboration with ZUMC will provide expertise and instruction that is tailored to the needs of the journalists in the region," added Al Marri.

Taught by experienced educators from Zayed University, these workshops are part of a curriculum designed to strengthen the skills of journalists in the fundamentals of their craft and to improve the quality of UAE reporting. Successful participants will receive a certificate from Zayed University Media Center, the continuing education and research division of the College of Communication and Media Sciences at Zayed University.

"We believe these sessions will help any reporter do a better job," says Starck. "They will help reporters tell the news in clear, simple, and focused ways so that readers find the news accessible, compelling and useful. And accuracy and fairness will always be emphasized ."

Besides certified education that can be tailored to the needs of an individual organization, Zayed University Media Center also provides research and consultancy to media-related companies. Currently, the Center has alliances with Emirates Media Inc, Dubai Media inc., TajTv, and Mondia (an affiliate of Bertelsmann). The mission of the Center is to contribute to the advancement of media organizations and individuals in the United Arab Emirates.