The Academy of Public Relations – Middle East and North Africa announced the launch of its operations in the Middle East and North Africa, especially from Dubai, as a new turning point in the public relations industry, not just in the country, but also in the region as a whole. The new entity looks forward to providing accredited academic qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), which will be offered in conjunction with the UK Academy of Public Relations.

The PR Academy will now enable both seasoned and aspiring PR and communications professionals to take up courses offered and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). The coveted courses will be delivered in partnership with the UK’s leading entity in the field of PR education - PR Academy.

Giving insights into the new partnership, Reem Masswadeh, Head of Communications at The PR Academy MENA, said, “The PR industry in the MENA region is currently valued at AED 3.7 billion, with prospects for this figure to further gain traction and reach AED 7 billion by 2030. The opportunities resultantly mean that there will be demand for more skilled professionals in the field in the coming years. This inspired us to take this decision.”

She further said, “It is a matter of pride for us that we have been chosen to represent and partner with PR Academy, one of UK’s leading providers of PR and communication education. With the new Academy, our aim remains to promote and provide CIPR qualifications to professionals at various levels of their careers.”

The courses will be taught online, and students will benefit from supporting resources from an online library. Combining the expertise of PR Academy UK with the thriving regional PR landscape, the partnership is expected to strengthen the MENA PR industry.