The Dubai Press Club (DPC) has officially announced the commencement of submissions for the ninth edition of the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award. This initiative is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as the Ruler of Dubai. It is also carried out under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
The rejuvenated award revives the Ibda’a Media Student Awards, which were first launched in 2001 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to spotlight and celebrate young media talent throughout the Arab world. The goal of this initiative is to enable Arab media institutions to leverage these talents in crafting an innovative media landscape.
Commitment to skill development
On this occasion, Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, vice chairperson and managing director of the Dubai Media Council and president of the Dubai Press Club, emphasized: “The revamped award continues the legacy it began in 2001, with the goal of inspiring young talent to achieve excellence in their media studies and future careers. Guided by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Press Club remains committed to identifying exceptional media students and nurturing a new generation of skilled professionals capable of driving the development of Arab media.”
She further added, “As per the directives of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we are committed to supporting media students, enhancing their skills, and enabling them to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Arab media. The award empowers young talent to demonstrate their creativity, gain recognition, and connect with leading media organizations, driving progress and innovation within the Arab media industry.”
Award categories
Jasim Al Shemsi, a member of the Award’s Organizing Committee, stated that the revitalized award is in sync with the substantial advancements in media over the past twenty years. This year’s edition encompasses six categories: Podcasting, E-Games, Multimedia, Photography, Short Video, and News Reports. “The award is open to media students from across the Arab world. Submissions can be made individually or as group projects, either through universities or directly by students, provided they are accompanied by an official letter from their academic institution verifying compliance with the award’s criteria,” he explained.
He also indicated that the Organizing Committee has proactively reached out to Arab universities and media faculties, urging them to encourage their students to start preparing their projects and submissions for the ninth edition of the award. Submissions can be made through the following link.
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Celebrating young achievements
Amna Khalil, another member of the Award’s Organizing Committee, remarked that the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award serves as a crucial initiative to boost Arab and regional media, equipping it for future challenges. The award’s return in an updated format after 16 years signifies the Dubai Press Club’s strategic commitment to unearthing and empowering young media talent, laying the foundation for an innovative media ecosystem.
“Today’s media industry demands a continuous stream of fresh talent and ideas to enrich the Arab media landscape. DPC is dedicated to fostering these opportunities, ensuring that young talents have a platform to showcase their creativity and contribute to the industry’s development,” she stated.
Amna Khalil also noted that the winners will be celebrated during a special ceremony held as part of the Arab Youth Media Forum. A jury composed of experts and specialists in the media field will review the submissions for the award. The Dubai Press Club has established clear criteria to uphold the integrity and fairness of the selection and judging process, ensuring equal opportunities for all participants.
Each category of the award comes with a cash prize of $5,000. Submissions must be original, devoid of promotional content, and can be submitted in either Arabic or English. Participants are required to affirm exclusive ownership of intellectual property rights for their work, while the Organizing Committee reserves the right to utilize submitted entries or excerpts for promotional purposes.
The Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award 2025 reinforces Dubai’s commitment to nurturing innovation, creativity, and excellence within the Arab media landscape. By providing young talents with a platform to shine, the award aligns perfectly with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in media and a hub for talent development.
