Education

Dubai launches first global travel content academy

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2 months ago

April 17, 2025

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Dubai is taking tourism marketing to the next level with the launch of the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai, a first-of-its-kind global programme designed to train the next generation of content creators for the travel industry.

The initiative is a partnership between Visit Dubai (Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing) and the international media company Beautiful Destinations. It aims to set new global standards in travel content creation, equipping creators with both creative and commercial skills to meet the rising demand for top-quality digital marketing in tourism.

Building the Future of Travel Marketing

Issam Kazim, CEO of Visit Dubai, said the project shows Dubai’s ongoing commitment to creativity and innovation in tourism:

“By providing a dedicated space for content creators, we aim to amplify Dubai’s global appeal and further solidify our position as the best city to visit, live, and work in.”

The initiative supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to position the city as a global leader in both business and leisure.

Addressing the Skills Gap

Beautiful Destinations CEO and founder Jeremy Jauncey said social media now plays a major role in travel decisions:

“Research shows 76% of travel choices are influenced by social media content, but only 24% of tourism brands have in-house teams able to produce the quality of content needed.”

The Academy aims to bridge this gap by training a new wave of skilled creators ready to deliver platform-native, high-impact content that inspires travel.

A Global Standard for Content Creators

Based in Dubai, the Academy will introduce formal training and certification for travel content creators — a move that could professionalise a field that has, until now, remained largely informal.

The curriculum blends creativity with marketing know-how and offers tourism brands access to a vetted network of certified content creators. It also promotes diversity by nurturing talent from around the world, ensuring travel storytelling reflects a wider range of voices and styles.

“We’re essentially creating a new professional category within the tourism ecosystem,” Jauncey explained. “Our goal is to make Academy certification the industry standard for travel content creators.”

As Dubai continues to position itself at the forefront of the global creator economy, expected to hit nearly $500 billion by 2027, this partnership sets a bold new vision for the future of travel marketing.

(Source: Wam)

Related Topics:academy beautifuldestinations beautifuldestinationsacademy Dubai Tourism uae visitdubai

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Education

Looking for a job in the UAE? New digital service verifies academic qualifications in minutes

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6 days ago

May 26, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Job hunting in the UAE or hiring new talent? A new digital initiative is streamlining the process of verifying academic qualifications, making it faster and more reliable for both employers and job seekers.

Launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), the Academic Qualification Verification Project allows private sector employers to verify university degrees electronically, whether earned in the UAE or abroad.

The service is part of a broader push to modernise employment services, reduce paperwork, and ensure fair, transparent hiring in the UAE’s competitive job market.

A Step Towards Smart Government

The initiative supports the UAE’s broader digital transformation goals, helping to:

Cut down on bureaucracy
Deliver faster government services
Ensure a skilled and qualified workforce
Strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for investment and talent

“This is part of our effort to build a more efficient labour market,” said Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE.
“By integrating this system into work permit applications, we ensure qualifications are legitimate and hiring is based on verified skills.”

The project also ties into the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, designed to simplify public services and enhance customer satisfaction.

Who Can Use the Service?

The new verification system currently applies to:

Private sector employers
Job seekers with degrees from outside the UAE
Individuals classified under skill levels 1 to 4 according to the National Qualifications Framework

Users can access the service via:

MoHRE’s website
Smart app
Business service centres across the UAE

A one-time fee will apply for verification.

In the next phase, the service will also include degrees issued inside the UAE for the same skill levels.

Why This Matters

According to Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary at MoHESR, the service ensures the authenticity and credibility of academic qualifications, helping industries hire the right people for the right jobs.
It also:

Reduces fraudulent job applications
Promotes reliable hiring practices
Supports national competitiveness
Aligns education outcomes with labour market needs

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is also supporting the digital infrastructure behind the project.

Education

Abu Dhabi to launch first dual-certified Bachelor’s in game design in region

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2 weeks ago

May 20, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Abu Dhabi is set to introduce the region’s first dual-certified Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Design through a partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi University (ADU), and leading French institution Rubika.

Launching in the upcoming academic year, the programme will offer students a globally competitive curriculum in game design, combining academic training with industry integration.

ADU will host the course on campus, Rubika will provide curriculum oversight and faculty training, and DCT Abu Dhabi will facilitate industry connections and fund up to 140 scholarships over six years.

The initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s strategy to grow its creative industries and build a talent pipeline for the region’s expanding gaming sector. Through Abu Dhabi Gaming, students will also have access to internships, mentorships, and partnerships with local studios

Education

Dubai schools to skip KHDA inspections for 2025–26

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2 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Dubai’s private schools will not face official inspections during the 2025–26 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced.

The decision applies to all private schools in the emirate, except those in their third year of operation, which will still go through a full inspection.

KHDA said the move is part of a new approach to improving education, allowing schools to focus more on collaboration, reflection, and ongoing development.

While there won’t be full inspections, targeted visits will continue. These will focus on specific areas related to education quality and will be guided by feedback from parents, students, and teachers, as well as the goals of the Education 33 strategy.

“Dubai’s private schools have shown great resilience, innovation, and care for students,” said Fatma Ibrahim Belrehif, CEO of the Education Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA.

“This break from inspections gives us a chance to rethink how we define and support quality education.”

Schools will still be required to carry out external benchmark assessments to measure student progress. They will also continue submitting regular updates through their self-evaluation forms (SEF).

KHDA said these steps will help ensure that education remains high-quality and aligned with national goals, even without formal inspections for a year.