Dubai Govt's Media Office Celebrates Graduation of DXB500 Program's Third Cohort

Dubai's government media office celebrated the graduation of the third batch from the DXB500 program, a strategic initiative launched by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to train communication leaders across Dubai's government and semi-government entities. The program aims to prepare these leaders for the rapidly changing media landscape while strengthening Dubai's local and international media presence.

The DXB500 program represents a comprehensive approach to building an advanced government communication system. It focuses on developing media leadership, improving coordination between government agencies, and using modern communication tools to create impactful content that tells Dubai's story and future vision.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President and Managing Director of Dubai Media Council and Director General of Dubai Government Media Office, emphasized that the program reflects leadership's commitment to investing in media talent. "The program represents a strategic investment in government communication leadership," she said. "We believe in empowering these professionals with modern tools and skills that ensure government messages are delivered with accuracy, clarity, and impact."

Al Marri highlighted how media work has become essential for supporting public policies, building trust, and establishing Dubai's positive image as a global hub for innovation and leadership. The program teaches communication officers to create content that reflects Dubai's story and meets community expectations using the latest digital storytelling and new media techniques.

The third edition focused specifically on government campaigns that create positive social impact. Participants learned to use digital media tools, creative storytelling, and modern technologies in crafting media messages. The curriculum included specialized sessions and practical workshops led by experts from prestigious local and international media institutions.

Training topics covered designing influential media campaigns, protecting economic security through strategic communication, combating misinformation and rumors, creating short-form and direct content, and best practices in digital government communication. These sessions provided participants with practical skills they can immediately apply in their roles.

Hind Fekry, Acting Director of Strategic Media Relations at Dubai Government Media Office, described DXB500 as a fundamental pillar in developing Dubai's government communication system. The program builds communication leadership capabilities based on strategic foundations that unify messages, raise media readiness levels, and enhance integration between government entities when dealing with various issues and challenges.

Program Director Huda Dahkouni explained that the third cycle focused on developing government communication leaders through training content that keeps pace with rapid changes in the media landscape. "We concentrated on enhancing storytelling skills and multi-platform content creation," she said. "The program highlighted best practices in government communication and audience engagement."

Program graduates expressed appreciation for their DXB500 experience, calling it a qualitative milestone that developed their professional skills. They gained advanced practical tools in government communication, content creation, and media storytelling. The training sessions and practical workshops exposed them to global best practices and enhanced their ability to craft more impactful messages while handling media challenges with flexibility and professionalism.

The program's success demonstrates Dubai's commitment to building sophisticated communication capabilities across its government sector. By training communication leaders to navigate today's complex media environment, Dubai positions itself to maintain its reputation as a forward-thinking global city while ensuring clear, coordinated messaging across all government initiatives.