In a strategic move aimed at bolstering national talent in one of the most vital sectors, His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, announced the launch of the “Media Scholarship Program.” This ambitious program provides 100 scholarships for talented young Saudis to study at top international universities, in active partnership with the Ministry of Education. This announcement comes as part of a package of 12 high-quality initiatives unveiled during the Saudi Media Forum, held this year under the theme “Media in a Changing World.”.
General context: Investment in human capital within Vision 2030
The launch of the media scholarship program falls within the broader framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places the development of Saudi human capital at the heart of its priorities. Since the Vision's inception, the Kingdom has worked to develop scholarship programs to align with the demands of the future labor market and promising sectors. The media sector is a cornerstone in building the nation's soft power and enhancing its image on the international stage, making the development of professional media personnel who are up-to-date with the latest global developments an urgent necessity. This program builds upon the Kingdom's successful history of scholarship programs launched over decades, which have contributed to developing qualified national talent across various disciplines.
The importance of the program and its expected impact
The Media Scholarship Program is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, it is expected to contribute to raising the quality of Saudi media content and providing local media institutions with highly skilled professionals possessing advanced expertise in digital media, content creation, strategic communication, and data analysis. This will lead to a more competitive and innovative media environment, capable of meeting the evolving expectations of the local audience.
At the regional and international levels, the program represents a direct investment in the Kingdom's soft power. Graduates will return with a deep understanding of global media best practices, capable of addressing international audiences in a modern and persuasive manner, thus contributing to conveying an accurate picture of the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom across all sectors. These experts will enhance the Saudi media's ability to influence regional and international public opinion and to tell the story of the new Saudi Arabia to the world.
The Saudi Media Forum: A platform for innovative initiatives
Minister Al-Dossari affirmed that the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, for the Saudi Media Forum has given it a broader dimension and a deeper vision, transforming it into a key platform for launching initiatives that serve the future of the sector. With the participation of more than 300 media leaders and experts from around the world, the forum represents an opportunity to exchange experiences and envision the future. The scholarship initiative translates the outcomes of this dialogue into tangible reality. His Excellency also noted the great success of the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), held alongside the forum, with the participation of more than 250 local and international companies, reflecting the dynamism and attractiveness of the Saudi media market.
