{
  "id": 16043423,
  "title": "IMI Media Academy and Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation to prepare 29,000 young people for careers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/imi-media-academy-and-abdulla-al-ghurair-foundation-to-prepare-29-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T12:25:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/22/imi-media-academy-and-abdulla-al-ghurair-foundation-to-prepare-29000-young-people-for-careers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ali Al Hammadi, chief operating officer at IMI Media Academy, and Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, chief executive of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, signed a five-year agreement to train 29,000 young people for careers in the media. The partnership, called Al Ghurair Voice Lab, aims to bridge education, skills development, and practical experience in the media sector. Seven programs will cover foundational media skills, advanced professional training, university curriculum integration, storytelling for school pupils, national youth initiatives, and regional programming across the Arab region. This collaboration combines IMI Media Academy's industry expertise, professional training capabilities, and access to the media ecosystem with AGF's regional experience in education and youth empowerment. Dr Ben Jaafar emphasized the importance of investing in the people who will shape the region's media future. Khalid Al Hosani, director of operations at IMI Media Academy, stressed that the partnership focuses on building a pipeline of Arab media talent by connecting education with practical experience, mentorship, and professional opportunities. Chantal Saliba, director of media and training at IMI Media Academy, highlighted the necessity of hands-on experience for young people to understand the workings of newsrooms, develop their voices, and shape the industry's future. The initial phase of the partnership will launch in the UAE, with expansion across the region over the five-year period.",
  "summary": "IMI Media Academy and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation have announced a five-year partnership to develop Arab media talent, aiming to reach 29,000 young people and train them for careers in the field. Under Al Ghurair Voice Lab, the partnership will connect education and skills development with practical experience and professional opportunities. It will also help create pathways into the media…",
  "key_points": [
    "IMI Media Academy and Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation sign five-year agreement.",
    "Al Ghurair Voice Lab trains 29,000 young people in media careers.",
    "Partnership covers education, skills, and practical experience in media sector."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "IMI Media Academy and Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation to prepare 29,000 young people for careers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/imi-media-academy-and-abdulla-al-ghurair-foundation-to-prepare-29-000-16044825",
        "published": "2026-10-22T12:25:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}