Dubai Press Club Launches Ninth Edition of ‘Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award’
Dubai: Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the Dubai Press Club (DPC) today announced the opening of submissions for the ninth edition of the ‘Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award’.
According to Emirates News Agency, the revamped award revives the Ibda’a Media Student Awards, originally launched in 2001 by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as a platform to identify and recognize young media talent across the Arab world. The initiative aims to enable Arab media institutions to benefit from these talents in shaping an innovative media landscape.
Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, and President of the Dubai Press Club, emphasized the award’s legacy and its goal of inspiring young talent to excel in their media studies and future careers. She noted that the 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.
Jasim Al Shemsi, a member of the Award’s Organising Committee, mentioned that the revamped award aligns with significant advancements in media over the past two decades. This year’s edition features six categories: Podcasting, E-Games, Multimedia, Photography, Short Video, and News Reports. The award is open to media students from across the Arab world, with submissions allowed individually or as group projects, provided they are accompanied by an official letter from their academic institution verifying compliance with the award’s criteria.
Amna Khalil, another member of the Award’s Organising Committee, highlighted the award’s role in strengthening Arab and regional media and preparing it for future challenges. The award’s return in a revamped format after 16 years reflects the Dubai Press Club’s strategic commitment to discovering and empowering young media talent, paving the way for an innovative media ecosystem.
The winners will be honored during a special ceremony held as part of the Arab Youth Media Forum. A jury comprising experts and specialists in the media field will evaluate the submissions, with clear criteria established to ensure the integrity and fairness of the selection and judging process.
Each category of the award carries a cash prize of $5,000. Submissions must be original, free from promotional content, and can be in Arabic or English. Participants must affirm exclusive ownership of intellectual property rights for their work, while the Organising Committee reserves the right to use submitted entries or excerpts for promotional purposes.
The ‘Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award’ 2025 reaffirms Dubai’s commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and excellence in the Arab media landscape. By offering young talents a platform to shine, the award aligns with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in media and a hub for talent development.