The Dubai Press Club (DPC), in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication at the American university in Dubai (AUD), has announced publishing a book that gathers all the works that won the Arab Journalism Award (AJA) over the past four editions.

The book will serve as a reliable reference for researchers, scholars and media students in the Arab World with the aim to provide samples of innovative and successful journalism works to Arab libraries. The Secretary General of AJA, represented by the Dubai Press Club, has documented the winning works that went through a strict arbitration and evaluation process by a highly qualified and experienced jury. Since its inception in 1999, the Arab Journalism Award has honored over 231 journalists in various categories. The Secretary General limited the book to the wining works of the last four editions, which coincides with when AJA introduced the new digital entry and registration system in its tenth edition changing the procedures and categories.

The announcement came during a press conference held at DPC’s headquarters, where DPC and the Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication at AUD signed a memorandum of understanding furnishing for the publication of the book.

H.E. Mona Ghanim Al Marri, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) and AJA Secretary General, along with Mr. Ali Jaber, Dean of the Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication at AUD signed the agreement. The press conference was also attended by Muna Bu Samra, Director of Arab Journalism Award and Director of Dubai Press Club, AJA Board members, a host of chief editors, academia, a number of AUD community members, as well as a number of AJA winners and local and regional media representatives.

Commenting on the occasion, Mona Al Marri said that the book aims to document distinguished journalism efforts and successes and also to celebrate creativity and professionalism of prominent Arab journalists, inside and outside the Arab World.

Al Marri added: “When we started thinking about the book, we realized that our partner must be a well established entity that gathers academic excellence and practical experience. AUD’s Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication was our best option. The school enjoys a sound reputation in academia”. Al Marri affirmed that the book would add value to AJA cultural and educational contributions and increase awareness about exceptional journalism works."

AJA Secretary General concluded: “In addition to the academic value, we believe the book is a reliable documentation and archive for AJA winning works in various disciplines and categories. The book provides a clear timeline for the development of Arab journalism."

Mr. Ali Jaber said: “We are proud to sign this memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Press Club. The AUD Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication and the Arab Journalism Award commonly aspire to contribute in the development and advancement of Arab journalism. We are looking forward to publishing this book that will become a reference on journalism in the Arab World.”

Mr. Jaber added that the school would consult with the Dubai Press Club to form a committee from academia and the media industry to review the works and select the most suitable for the book’s methodology.

Muna Bu Samra affirmed that the “AJA Book” is a new achievement for the award. She expressed her enthusiasm and support for the memorandum of understanding that will enhance and boost the cooperation between DPC, the AUD Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication and Arab academic organizations.

Bu Samra added: “This memorandum of understanding is in line with the continuous efforts of the AJA Secretary General to develop Arab journalism and support various aspects of media work in the Middle East. Moreover, it advances the fruitful cooperation between DPC and the AUD Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication. She said the memorandum of understanding would materialize soon."

AJA Director affirmed that the memorandum of understanding states that DPC will prepare the book’s concept, content, design, technical specifications and printing process in consultation with the AUD Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication. She added that in order to enlarge the scope of benefit from the book, a comprehensive database and plan would be arranged to distribute the book among media colleges and institutions.