MEDIA EXPERTS AND ACADEMICS WIDELY WELCOME EMIRATE'S MOVE TO SET UP GLOBAL MEDIA RESEARCH AND TRAINING FACILITY The International Government Communication Centre (IGCC) announced by Sharjah is set to enrich the media landscape in the UAE and the region and bolster Sharjah's presence in the regional and international media. Senior UAE officials, eminent academics and media experts have widely welcomed the Sharjah government move to set up the IGCC.
Unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on the sidelines of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) last month, the IGCC will be managed by Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) and is aimed at harnessing the power of media and government communication and create world-class Emirati media professionals.
Announcing the first-of-its-kind centre in the region, dedicated to government communication and media studies on March 11, HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council (SMC) said that the Centre is based on the vision to build an integrated government communication system involving the IGCF, sophisticated knowledge platforms and specialised programmes for training and developing the skills and abilities of those working in government communication field, besides forming an international relations network of specialists in the field.
He said: Since the launch of the IGCF in 2012, we have been guided by a clear vision and goal to promote the concept and applications of government communication. This is for several reasons, most importantly the increasing importance of government communication, the evolution of modern media and the advancement of communication sciences and technologies, not to mention the interest in this important aspect of the relationship between governments and the public.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi added that the Centre was born from Sharjah's experience in consolidating the concept of government communication. The IGCC will work to gather, document and produce knowledge through monitoring, study and analysis of the social, economic and political phenomena in which government communication plays an influential role, he noted.
A Global Platform for Media Experts
The Chairman of Sharjah Media Council asserted that the IGCC will provide a platform for interaction between experts, specialists and academics from across the globe, thus fostering Sharjahs status as a reference for government communication practices and standards. The Centre will open the way to develop an international system of these practices to address current challenges effectively. The IGCC, which offers support and training to young leaders, would pave the way for international partnerships aimed at the convergence of viewpoints and unification of discourse on issues of common destiny.
Changing Media Landscape
Welcoming the Sharjah government move to set up the IGCC, Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: The Centre is an unprecedented addition to the government media landscape, and to the substantial success achieved by Sharjah at the international level since the launch of the IGCF, which represents an ideal opportunity for all sectors in general, and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in particular, to learn about latest developments in government communication and promote various initiatives.
A Step Forward
We are confident the IGCC will play an essential role for all government communication departments in Sharjah, the UAE and the world at large. This is thanks to its ambitious programmes and comprehensive vision, which will definitely foster international relations and boost the usefulness of exchange visits and agreements, all for the service of Sharjah, emphasised Al Owais.
Lauding the initiative as a progressive step, Dr Hamid Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, said: The move signals another step forward for the Emirate's progress in line with modern standards, which are based on the use of the tremendous global technological revolution in intellectual, scientific, knowledge and research spheres.
The Centre represents a practical and realistic embodiment of the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, to solidify the Emirates position in the global arena, he added.
Dr Rashad Salem, Vice Chancellor of Al Qasimia University, hailed the launch of the IGCC noting that it comes as part of Sharjahs scientific, cultural and developmental initiatives under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who supports every initiative that bolsters the pioneering position of Sharjah across all fields.
Dr Salem said: The announced tasks of the IGCC indicate the great attention attached to it as one of the main pillars in developing the experience of Sharjah and the International Government Communication Forum launched five years back to promote government communication as a modern and advanced science.
The Centre aspires to form a scientific edifice in the field of government communication through a clear strategy that includes the building of a knowledge and research base for specialists in the field, the documentation of IGCF outputs and the development of pragmatic and applied experiences on issues such as government communication, youth and sustainable development.
The IGCC aims to achieve harmony and compatibility with Sharjahs strategy in supporting modern sciences, research, education and development of government cadres through a strategic priority that entails promoting the IGCF throughout the year and enhancing Sharjahs reputation and position in
