Media City Qatar hosts first CNN Academy Doha

Doha, Qatar has hosted its inaugural CNN Academy Doha, a two-week intensive program delivered in partnership with Media City Qatar. The program brought together over 30 students from three Qatari universities, providing them with hands-on training in journalism and storytelling.

The initiative marked CNN's first foray into Qatar, broadening opportunities for local talent to gain practical industry experience and acquire skills crucial for the rapidly evolving media landscape. Participants were primarily from Northwestern University in Qatar, Qatar University, and the University of Doha for Science and Technology.

Led by CNN experts, the curriculum focused on storytelling in the AI era and included a tour of CNN's Doha studio, where students got a behind-the-scenes look at the production of CNN Creators, a digital-native show exploring technology, art, culture, sport, and social trends.

The program also featured a live conversation with CNN Group Senior Vice President, General Manager APAC and Global Head of Productions Ellana Lee, who shared insights into her role at CNN and the network's global storytelling efforts. CNN's Vice President of Communications, Global News Jonathan Hawkins moderated the session.

Media City Qatar's CEO Hamad Omar AlMannai emphasized the importance of connecting education with industry realities, stating that initiatives like CNN Academy Doha help young talent learn from international experts and apply their skills in professional settings. Lee echoed this sentiment, expressing her pride in CNN's role in equipping Qatar's next generation of journalists with the necessary skills to navigate the modern media world.

Participant Pakinam Elseehy, a journalism student at Northwestern University in Qatar, commended the program for exceeding her expectations, providing practical skills and personalised guidance from professionals. She highlighted the course's value in inspiring her interest in journalism and introducing her to potential career paths.

The CNN Academy Doha program builds upon Media City Qatar's existing partnership with CNN, which also includes hosting CNN's first-ever Global Perspectives event in the region and serving as the base for CNN Creators.