Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (Admaf) said it has published the first issue of “My news,” the official magazine of Young Media Leaders (YML), an Admaf educational program that encourages Emirati students to pursue careers in the media.

The June issue coincided with the recent year end ceremony of students from the Zayed University, the UAE University in Al Ain and the Higher Colleges of Technology, who participated in the third annual YML program, said a statement from Admaf.

This year’s students were provided with a series of workshops by Twofour54, giving them the tools to become the media leaders of tomorrow, it added.

The 50 page issue includes articles in both English and Arabic. The English section provides a space for students to share their take on some of the UAE’s most important cultural developments, including their coverage of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010.

The magazine’s editorial team, reporters and photographers are students from the 'Young Media Leaders' program: Sheikha Khalfan Al Suwaidi, Huda Bahaj, Shaima Al Maisari, Fatima Al-Shamsi, Nasra Al Jaberi, Sarah Al Falahi, Sheikha Al Marzouki, Noaf Mousa, Mariam Al Ahbabi, Iman Al Shakaly, Shamsa Al Aryani, Heba Al Shehhi, Klaithem Al Darmaki, Anoud Al Shaybani, Mariam Al Ashkari, Duaa Mukhayar, Yusra Abdul Qader, Nada Al Hammadi, Maysoon Mukhtar, Cica Mohsen, Asmaa Khalf, Hadeel Ali, Amena Al Hosani, Ali Al Afeefi and Meshal bin Amro.

The students also report on their participation in several art workshops, including workshops on Islamic art, photography and painting. The issue also features expanded features on a trip taken by 12 students from Zayed University to explore the links between Abu Dhabi and Paris; the visit of the Princess of Belgium to the Abu Dhabi Women’s College, the Al Ain air show and the Dubai Shopping Festival.

The Arabic section contains an “opinion page” by Saad Al Menhali, head of the online version of Al Ittihad newspaper, emphasizing the importance of methodology and ethics in news reporting in which educational outlets play an important role.

The magazine’s first issue also included a collection of essays: 'A workshop for children with special needs' By Nasra Al-Jabri; 'Art studio in the midst of nature' by Mariam Al Habbab, Klaitham Salem and Mariam Alochkhouri; 'Students painting the world through Emirati eyes'; 'Volunteers from Al Ain Technical school involved in the Arts tent ';  'Al Ain Air Show combines demonstrations from global aircrafts '; and 'Waste: the future of dealing with it in Abu Dhabi and the patterns of environmental awareness' by Ali Al Afifi.

The magazine also featured interviews with the filmmaker Rawiya Abdullah conducted by Mariam Al Habbabi; the photographer Iman Al Marzouki conducted by Mariam Alochkhouri; and the poet Youssef Al Anzi conducted by Iman Al Shukaily.

The first issue included an opening word by Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Admaf founder, which said 'Admaf has been offering Emirati university students an insight in the global media industry for the last three years. In that short time, over 90 young nationals have gained a unique understanding of the field through a comprehensive and highly intensive program of workshops, lectures and hands-on experiences.'

'These are the Young Media  Leaders (YML) of today, who we hope will become the media professionals of tomorrow. Through the learning and guidance they have received, they are now able to tell their story of their nation in their own words,' she added.

According to Kanoo, YML has become a unique training facility thanks to the partnership ADMAF enjoys with twofour54’s training arm, tadreeb.

'Inspiration is the key to unlocking the talent that lies within each individual. With this in mind, we have been able to introduce these young apprentices to a panorama of experiences and a plethora of leading figures from both the Arabic and English language media industries. As a result, they have excelled in ways never imagined,” she noted.-TradeArabia News Service