Saudi Press Agency Unveils First Middle East News Training Academy In Riyadh

The SPA News Training Academy, a pioneering initiative in the Middle East dedicated to news training, was inaugurated in Riyadh under the auspices of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This significant development was announced during the Human Capacity Development Initiative conference.

The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Maghlouth, Assistant Minister of Media, and Dr. Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, President of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). This move aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives, aiming to enhance human capacity within the media sector.

In a strategic collaboration with the Human Capacity Development Program, SPA aims to leverage its extensive experience and international partnerships to foster a knowledgeable and skilled media workforce. The academy has established connections with several prestigious organizations, including the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), the Prince Mohammad Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC), the Institute of Public Administration, the Human Resources Development Fund 'HADAF', the Sky News Arabia Academy, and the Austrian International Center for Qualification and Quality.

With over fifty years of professional credibility in official news work within the Kingdom and collaborations with more than 30 international news agencies, SPA is poised to make the academy a hub for localizing knowledge, transferring best practices, and producing and distributing news content. This initiative is set to reinforce Riyadh's standing as a regional center for media excellence.

The academy's curriculum is designed to address its strategic goals comprehensively. It focuses on developing advanced news skills, meeting market demands, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge, technology, and modern tools essential for journalistic endeavors. Furthermore, it aims to deepen understanding of news issues and global challenges. The training programs span five key areas: journalism and news, technology and artificial intelligence, leadership and journalism ethics, media partners, and news awareness. These programs target a wide audience including journalists, photographers, media professionals and technicians, media students, and media affairs officials across various entities.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom's journey towards achieving its Vision 2030 goals by enhancing the capabilities of its media sector through education and training.

With inputs from SPA