CNN guides the media generation of tomorrow at The American University of Sharjah's open day

Students and faculty were in attendance to hear speeches by Caroline Faraj, Chief Operations Director and Editor of CNN's Arabic Website, CNNArabic.com, along with other prominent senior executives invited by the university.

"CNN is proud to play a part in the future careers of tomorrow's media professionals," said Caroline Faraj. "Whilst CNN is best known for our leading news coverage, we are also an organisation with a strong commitment to putting something back into the communities where we operate. Our visit today to AUS's Open Day is an expression of our support for the young graduates of the UAE some of whom will hopefully become the journalists of tomorrow.

'I hope that I was able to show just some of the participants that a career in the media is not only attainable but a wonderful choice. CNN has played a prominent role in the training of students of all nationalities from around the world for careers in news media for quite a while, and the students of the UAE have access to these same opportunities as well."

Caroline Faraj talked to the students about the opportunities for journalists in today's media industry, as well as the progression of her career, detailing her many different experiences in news media, the complex challenges she faced along the way and the impact it has had on her life. Caroline also explained how CNN has trained about 30 students so far from different universities worldwide, including the UAE and AUS, and that CNN is keen on giving equal opportunities to students of all nationalities. The discussion was highly interactive, with participating students actively engaging Ms. Faraj on various questions and topics.

"American University of Sharjah is very excited to have Ms. Faraj come to speak," said Mr. Mahboub Hashem, Chair and Professor of the department of mass communications in the American University of Sharjah. "Her prominent role in international news media allows her to give strong motivation and advice to our career minded students, especially our female ones. She is a good role model to follow."