In an exciting initiative aimed at nurturing young media talents, participants of the eighth edition of the “Ithmar” programme have successfully completed an intensive training and practical stage. Organised by the Sharjah Press Club under the umbrella of the Sharjah Government Media Office, this programme has provided children and youth aged between 10 and 17 with an immersive hands-on experience in creating and presenting a series of video content across 14 government entities in the Emirate of Sharjah.
Showcasing Skills through Digital Platforms
The resulting episodes from this comprehensive training will be released sequentially on the digital platforms of the Sharjah Press Club, ensuring that the programme’s outcomes maintain a presence in the media landscape. This initiative reflects the skills acquired by participants in media production, visual storytelling, and presentation.
A Comprehensive Training Experience
“Ithmar” encompassed a blend of theoretical training and practical workshops, focusing on news reporting, digital content creation for social media platforms, and photography. Additionally, it included insights into the use of artificial intelligence tools in content production. This multifaceted approach empowered participants to gain essential knowledge for crafting high-quality, innovative media content.
Empowering the Next Generation of Media Creators
Aliyah Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Office, highlighted that the eighth edition of “Ithmar” exemplifies the programme’s objectives of developing budding media talents. “The training experience allowed participants to translate their acquired knowledge into practical outputs, aligning with the Sharjah Government Media Office’s vision of cultivating a generation equipped with modern media skills capable of producing professional content that serves the community,” she stated.
Al Suwaidi further noted that “Ithmar” serves as a platform for discovering and nurturing the creative potential of children and youth, enabling them to explore new horizons in media and content creation while enhancing their passion for learning and teamwork.
Hands-On Application in Diverse Government Entities
The practical phase of the programme involved producing video content for various governmental entities, including the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, Sharjah Police General Headquarters, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Centre, among others.
Participants also engaged with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, the Department of Economic Development, Sharjah Safari, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre “Ro’yaa”, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, the Sharjah Children Foundation, and the Sharjah Agricultural and Animal Production Authority “Ikhtiyaar.” This extensive application phase allowed them to put their skills into practice in a professional environment while gaining insights into government communication systems and media content production methods.
Enhancing Skills and Knowledge for the Future
During the practical phase, participants were actively involved in all stages of content creation, starting from idea development and research to preparing media messages and producing digital content tailored for various platforms. This experience significantly contributed to the development of their skills in planning, teamwork, public communication, and delivering impactful media messages.
The “Ithmar” programme continues to play a vital role in mentoring and preparing young media talents through a training model that aligns with the evolving landscape of content production and the future needs of the media sector.