Student Ahmed bin Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Ya’rubi, from the Department of Media at the College of Arts and Social Sciences, has won first place in the photography category at the 10th edition of the Arab Youth Media Award ‘Ibda’ 2026.

The ‘Ibda’ Award is a media initiative that aims to discover young media talents across the Arab world, highlight the creative work of media students, encourage them to develop their skills, and contribute to the future of the media industry. The award attracts media students from across the Arab world and provides them with a platform to showcase their creative work to leading specialists and professionals in the media sector.

The 10th edition of the award featured six main categories: journalism, podcasts, electronic games, multimedia, short videos and photography. The photography category recognises outstanding individual and group work by media students in photography from across the Arab world.

Al Ya’rubi won first place in the photography category, representing SQU and the Sultanate of Oman. His achievement reflects the creative abilities of Omani media students and their capacity to compete in Arab media competitions and events. His win was officially announced as part of the results of the 10th edition of the award, with the winners’ ceremony held as part of the Arab Media Summit.

The Arab Media Summit is one of the region’s prominent media gatherings, bringing together media leaders, content creators, innovators and experts from across the Arab world to exchange experiences and share perspectives and ideas on the future of media and its developments.

The summit also provides a platform for dialogue and engagement among different sectors of the media industry. It features a range of specialised forums and events, including the Arab Media Forum, Arab Youth Media Forum, Government Communication Forum and Arab Influencers Summit, in addition to a number of media events and awards. The summit’s official website describes it as a leading gathering of media leaders, content creators and innovators, aimed at fostering constructive dialogue and presenting new perspectives on the future of media.

The ‘Ibda’ Arab Youth Media Award is among the prominent awards associated with the summit. It contributes to discovering young media talent, highlighting the work of media students across the Arab world, and connecting them with media institutions and professionals in the sector. In its 10th edition, the award continued to support young talent and provide students with opportunities to turn their academic creativity into future professional experiences and opportunities.

Winning first place in the photography category at the Arab level represents a significant academic and media achievement. It recognises the student’s creativity and technical and media skills, while also reflecting the ability of SQU students to compete successfully in Arab media competitions and awards.

The achievement also represents an important addition to Al Ya’rubi’s academic and professional journey, strengthening his experience in media and photography and supporting his ambition to further develop his skills and contribute to the creation of innovative media content.