Saudi Media Scholarship Program: 9 agreements to develop competencies
Strategic partnership to empower the Saudi media sector
In a strategic move aimed at empowering national talent and enriching the Saudi media sector with specialized expertise, His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, oversaw the signing ceremony of nine cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Media and leading media companies in the private sector. These partnerships fall under the promising "Media Scholarship Program" (Wa'ed), which operates under the umbrella of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, thus embodying an innovative model of public-private partnership to support the national economy.
Background and objectives of the initiative within Vision 2030
This initiative aligns directly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes human capital development and diversification of income sources. The Kingdom has recognized the importance of the media and creative industries as a key driver of the non-oil economy and has worked in recent years to create an attractive environment for local and international investment in this sector. The Media Scholarship Program represents a long-term investment in young talent, aiming to bridge the gap between academic output and the rapidly evolving demands of the digital and traditional media sectors. By sending students to leading international universities and training institutions, the Kingdom ensures its workforce is equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to lead the transformation of the media and creative industries.
Details of the agreements and their expected impact on the sector
These nine agreements serve as a roadmap for linking education with direct employment, providing 94 carefully selected study and training positions to meet the needs of partner companies. These opportunities include 21 Master's degree positions, 56 Bachelor's degree positions at prestigious universities in the US and UK, 11 diploma program positions in Canada and Spain, and 6 intensive practical training positions. This distribution ensures coverage across various professional and academic levels.
Among the key partners in this initiative are prominent names in the Arab media landscape, such as MBC Group, Rotana Group, Al Jazeera Media Network, and Salham Company, reflecting the private sector's confidence in this government vision. This partnership is expected to have a multifaceted positive impact. Locally, it will contribute to raising the quality of locally produced content and increasing the competitiveness of Saudi media institutions. Regionally and internationally, it will enhance the Kingdom's position as a leading regional hub for the media and creative content industry, and bolster its soft power by exporting Saudi culture to the world.
Media as an engine of the creative economy
The Deputy Minister of Media for Media Sector Development, Ms. Israa Mansour Asiri, affirmed that media is no longer merely a tool for news dissemination, but has become a fundamental driver of the creative economy, with its value chains extending from production and distribution to technology and marketing. She explained that this development necessitates qualified national talent possessing advanced skills and specialized knowledge according to the highest international standards. The "Media Scholarship" track allows companies to design scholarship programs that align with their actual needs, thus ensuring the sector's sustainability and its ability to compete both locally and internationally. Details of the programs and available opportunities will be announced through the official platforms of the partner companies, while applications will be submitted through the Ministry of Education's "Safir" platform.
