Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, attended the graduation ceremony of 522 content creators and new media specialists during the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world's largest event dedicated to the content creator economy. The ceremony marked the completion of seven specialised programmes organised by the UAE Government Media Office and the New Media Academy in collaboration with strategic partners.
According to Emirates News Agency, the new graduates will contribute to government communication and the digital media ecosystem, effectively communicating the UAE's message to the world. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of investing in people to build the future and prepare professional content creators to keep pace with change, reflecting the UAE's values and supporting its development ambitions.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. The programmes included initiatives like Impact Makers, Specialised Content Creators, Historical Content Creators, the Faris Al Muhtawa Content Creators Programme, the Executive Diploma in Government Digital Communication, Economic Content Pioneers, and the Social Media Professional Programme.
The summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office, is taking place in Dubai at Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future, under the theme 'Content for Good'. It has attracted over 15,000 content creators and influencers, and more than 500 speakers with a combined audience exceeding 3.5 billion followers worldwide.
The Impact Makers initiative was launched by the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council and the New Media Academy, focusing on creative humanitarian storytelling and crisis communication. It offers specialised training in media engagement, narrative development, video production, and AI use in humanitarian content.
The graduation also featured participants from the Humanitarian Impact Content Creators Programme, aimed at developing humanitarian content creators from the Arab region and beyond. The initiative targets media professionals in humanitarian and development affairs, enhancing their capabilities in crafting and distributing content that highlights humanitarian efforts.
The Specialised Content Creators programme focuses on enhancing the skills of professionals in government and private sectors to produce high-quality content in areas such as the economy, medicine, and food security. It aims to transform complex information into engaging content through storytelling and creative AI tools.
The Executive Diploma in Government Digital Communication, launched by the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government and the New Media Academy, strengthens government communication teams. The diploma covers 13 modules over 76 hours, enhancing digital leadership capabilities.
The Historical Content Creators programme trains storytellers in presenting Arab heritage through digital formats, while the Economic Content Pioneers programme trains Emirati and Arab youth in producing economic content. It is part of a national campaign to attract and empower Emiratis to start businesses in strategic sectors.
The Faris Al Muhtawa programme supports Arab digital talent, emphasising ethical AI use alongside human creativity. It selects participants based on skills and passion for digital media, with backgrounds in various disciplines.
The Social Media Professional Programme equips professionals with global social media strategies and AI tools, enabling effective digital marketing campaigns and brand development.
