The aim of the road show is to introduce the Sharjah Government Communication Award to media students in the UAE.

Sharjah: The Sharjah Government Communication Award (GCA), an initiative of Sharjah Media Centre, has announced the launch of a road show aiming to introduce the award to media and communication studies students in the UAE.

As part of the opening round, two introductory lectures were held at Al Ain-based UAE University and the University of Sharjah. Approximately 240 undergraduate and graduate media and communication students attended the events.

The interactive lectures, designed to encourage higher student participation in the ‘Best Graduation Project and Research on Government Communication in the UAE’ category in the fourth edition of the award, touched upon the essential elements which would enable them to prepare and submit entries. Students were also informed about the evaluation mechanism of the award, as well as case studies of past award winners.

Asma Al Juwaied, manager of the Sharjah Government Communication Award, said: “It has been one of the highest priorities of Sharjah Media Centre and the Sharjah Government Communication Award team to have such engaging interactions with media and communication students. This is especially important considering their role as future leaders who would be tasked with planning and executing effective communication strategies, reflecting best practices in good governance.”

 
The deadline for submissions under the category is January 20, 2017. The winning submission in the ‘Best Graduation Project and Research on Government Communication in the UAE’ category will receive a cash prize of Dh15,000. The category invites submissions from graduates, postgraduates and doctoral students in the UAE pursuing media and communication studies. Undergraduate students should have presented a research or graduation project, while postgraduate and doctoral students should have submitted a thesis on government communication. Submissions are accepted in both Arabic and English.

The Sharjah Government Communication Award, the first-of-its-kind initiative in the region, was launched in September 2012 under the directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

In the last three editions, the award has contributed to enhancing best practices in the government communication sector in the UAE and the GCC region. The initiative aims to recognise the efforts of local and regional individuals and organisations, support their innovations that help improve communication with the public, and build a real partnership between government entities, decision-makers and the various social segments.