The Education Affairs Office of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi today revealed that the UAE Media Apprenticeship Programme, UAEMAP, which was launched on 27th August 2017, has already attracted over 80 applications from across the UAE, and more than 20 partnership requests from media organisations and governmental and private academic institutions.

The selection committee from the Education Affairs Office has commenced evaluating applications and shortlisting candidates to proceed to the next phase. As part of this process, candidates are invited to meet the selection committee, following which a list of finalists will be drawn up. Finalists will then take up apprenticeships with UAEMAP’s media partners according to their qualifications and the vacancies available at these organisations.

Speaking on the response to the launch of UAEMAP, Mohammed Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Director of the Education Affairs Office at the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, said, "We are overwhelmed by the fantastic response that has exceeded our expectations and reinforced the ambitions and keenness of our youth to enhance their skills and gain experience in the region’s thriving media industry."

"Applications have been received from across the length and breadth of the country, and have included graduates from universities not enlisted as our academic partners. This is a great opportunity that encourages us to build new partnerships with many more academic institutions and thereby increase the scope of the programme," he added.

Al Nuaimi went on to say that over 70 percent of applications reviewed by the committee are of a "superior calibre" and comply with the criteria set for the programme.

He explained that various conferences highlighted the issue of Emiratisation in the media, not in a bid to impose quotas and targets on media institutions, but primarily to focus on building the professional competencies of Emiratis and ensuring their preparedness to assume key positions within the media sector in line with the vision and aspirations of the UAE leadership.

"As part of this priority, UAEMAP will assess the competencies of the young graduates and facilitate their entry into the job market through providing training opportunities with leading media organisations in the country," he continued.

"Education in the UAE is defined not only by educational institutions but also by the activities and initiatives launched by the government to shape the values of the profession and the field in general, this holds equally true for the media industry. The mission of the media today is to raise awareness among communities. A media professional is ultimately a teacher, educator and messenger, and is significantly responsible for ensuring national progress and development. From this perspective, we place great importance on the relationship between education and media, and on the role of the UAE Media Apprenticeship Programme in promoting positive and responsible interaction between government institutions and the private sector in the country," Al Nuaimi elaborated.

Through new synergies with the public and private sectors, the Education Affairs Office aims to bridge the gap and overcome obstacles in driving the competencies of Emirati students and developing their creative skills in the workplace, he commented.

The UAE Media Apprenticeship Programme celebrates the legacy and values of the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who highlighted the importance of boosting national talent and empowering the UAE’s youth with skills and expertise on a par with global standards to enable them to become key contributors in shaping a happy and knowledgeable society.

Candidates can apply via the UAEMAP website. Applicants must be no older than 26 years of age, and must have a bachelor's degree or a master's degree from an accredited local or international university.