Ras al khaimah: The Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office (RAKGMO) has expanded its partnership with the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) to launch the Junior Reporter Programme. This initiative aims to educate the next generation of media professionals by providing selected students with practical experience in creating multimedia journalistic content.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme allows students to produce editorial features, social-first content, photography, video, and audio, focusing on life in Ras Al Khaimah through the perspectives of youth. Approved stories will be published on RAKGMO’s Heart of RAK platform and shared across various channels, promoting inclusive storytelling and enhancing student employability.
Heba Fatani, Director-General of RAKGMO, emphasized the importance of empowering youth, stating that the future is shaped by their voices. She highlighted the role of Heart of RAK in nurturing young storytellers who will authentically and creatively document the Emirate’s journey. Professor Bassam Alameddine, President of AURAK, noted the programme’s alignment with the university’s commitment to combining academic learning with real-world experiences, thus allowing students to directly influence the media landscape of Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE.
The partnership agreement was signed by Fatani and Alameddine at the AURAK campus, witnessed by key university figures, including Professor Imad Hoballah and Professor Rachel Matar. The Heart of RAK platform, a comprehensive online hub for Ras Al Khaimah, will oversee the editorial process, working closely with AURAK mentors. Student outputs will undergo rigorous review to ensure integrity and quality before publication.
Rouba Zeidan, Head of Special Projects at RAKGMO, emphasized the collaboration’s role in enriching Heart of RAK with student-driven content. She mentioned the mentorship provided to students to help them craft professional stories that portray the uniqueness of Ras Al Khaimah. Professor Hoballah added that the programme offers students a chance to engage with real-world newsroom dynamics, enhancing classroom learning and providing regional and global exposure.
The AURAK academic team will conduct a merit-based selection process for Mass Communication students interested in the programme. Successful candidates will work with the Heart of RAK team, gaining official media credentials and guidance from both academic and industry experts.
Operating on a yearly academic rotation, the Junior Reporter Programme includes onboarding, pitch cycles, reviews, and a year-end showcase of notable work on Heart of RAK. Community members and readers can follow these stories, marked with the Junior Reporter tag, on Heart of RAK channels.
This programme follows the ‘teaching hospital’ model from the United States, allowing students to gain real-world media experience while still in academia. It marks the second collaboration between RAKGMO and AURAK, following their joint efforts with the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research on a scholarship programme for aspiring journalists and content creators.