The Dubai Lynx Academy, a joint initiative between Leo Burnett and Dubai Lynx, is offering 20 creative students from across the Mena region a three-day educational programme focusing on all aspects of the communications industry.

The academy, currently underway at the Dubai Lynx Festival in Dubai Media City, is being held for the second consecutive year. The pogramme schedule includes seminars, screenings, exhibitions and workshops.

Marilyn S. Roberts PhD, dean and professor, College of Communication and Media Sciences, Zayed University, will guide the selected students during the programme.

The students also have the unique opportunity to attend master classes and tutorials with leading industry figures from around the globe, including Mark Tutssel, Leo Burnett’s global chief creative officer.

Tutssel will be giving the students a seminar on HumanKind - Leo Burnett’s innovative philosophy which involves putting people and human behaviour at the heart of a brand’s strategy.

The three best performing students across the three days, selected by Marilyn Roberts and representatives from Leo Burnett, will be offered a summer internship with Leo Burnett, while others will receive a certificate of attendance during a graduation ceremony at the close of the event.

“Leo Burnett recognises that creative, young, talented students are the future of the industry, and as a leading communications group, it is imperative to inspire and nurture creativity among today’s talent,” noted Raja Trad, CEO of Leo Burnett Group Mediterranean.

“By hosting the Academy at the region’s leading advertising event, we are not only helping to prepare a new generation of young people for an exciting career in the communications industry, but we are also demonstrating our commitment to supporting industry best practices.”

Last year, 21 students participated in the Dubai Lynx Academy. One of the students, Reem Al Shakaa, who went on to complete an internship with the Leo Burnett group described the academy as a fantastic experience.

'It taught me a lot about the way the industry really operates, and gave me a level of industry understanding that proved invaluable. I’d thoroughly recommend this programme to students looking for a career in the industry,' he noted.

Steve Lane, festival director, Dubai Lynx Festival said: 'Each year, the Dubai Lynx Festival celebrates the best of the region’s creative talent and it is only fitting that we use this forum to motivate and inspire young, creative minds.'

'After a highly successful academy last year, we are excited to once again join forces with Leo Burnett to further help the development of the region’s communications industry,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service