A strategic step to strengthen the Saudi media sector
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the media landscape in the Kingdom, His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, sponsored the signing ceremony of nine cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Media and major private sector companies. These partnerships fall under the "Media Scholarship Program" within the "Promising" track, which is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, with the goal of empowering and developing national talent to lead the future of the media and creative industries in the Kingdom.
A strong push towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030
This initiative aligns directly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes investment in human capital and diversification of the national economy. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program has long been a cornerstone of developing Saudi capabilities across various fields. The launch of a specialized media track reflects the growing importance of this vital sector as a key driver of the creative economy and a pillar of the Kingdom's soft power. With the significant transformations occurring in the media and entertainment sector, it has become essential to cultivate a new generation of media professionals capable of keeping pace with global developments and producing local content that meets international standards.
Strategic partnership between the public and private sectors
The agreements embody an innovative model of public-private partnership, where the Ministry shifts from its traditional legislative role to that of an enabler and catalyst for growth. This partnership aims to align the outcomes of academic education and practical training with the actual needs of the labor market by providing direct job opportunities for scholarship recipients upon graduation. The list of private sector partners includes prominent names in the media industry: MBC Group, Rotana Group, Al-Dhahour Media Company, Hawadi Company, Al-Jazeera Company, Salham Company, La'aba Company, Jazr Production Company, and Waves Company.
Under these agreements, 94 study and training positions will be made available at top universities and educational institutions worldwide in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Canada. These positions are distributed as follows: 21 for Master's degrees, 56 for Bachelor's degrees, 11 for diploma programs, and 6 for specialized practical training.
Expected local and regional impact
This initiative is expected to have a profound impact at both the local and regional levels. Locally, it will contribute to raising the quality of media content produced in the Kingdom, creating quality job opportunities for Saudi youth, and increasing the media sector's contribution to the GDP. Regionally, this step will enhance the Kingdom's position as a leading media hub in the Middle East, capable of attracting investments and talent, and producing globally competitive Arabic content. The Deputy Minister of Media for Media Sector Development, Ms. Israa Mansour Asiri, affirmed that media has become an integral part of the value chains of the creative economy, requiring qualified national talent possessing advanced skills and specialized knowledge according to the highest international standards.
