As Sharjah is preparing to host the 14th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) on 10–11 September, 2025, the Emirates has launched a series of young-elevated competitions, including the opening Global PR Challenge, Sharjah edition. The purpose of these initiatives is to innovate as a catalyst for the quality of life improvement, to highlight young talents, and use status communication.
Global PR Challenge, a new platform for student innovation
In a major preamble for the IGCF 2025, Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has announced the launch of the first global PR Challenge-Sharajah edition to be held in collaboration with the International Communication Consultation Organization (ICCO) and American University (AUS).
- Participants: 20 students, both local and international, will form 10 teams.
- Objective: to develop innovative, durable
Communication strategies Inspired by Your Sharajah Campaign. - Focus region: social, environment, economic and educational issues.
- Autakam: The winning team will get an opportunity to implement their proposal in a financial award and real -world settings.
The competition is not only designed to increase creativity and media literacy among students, but also to provide:
- Direct mentorship from global communication experts.
- A competitive, cooperative platform for students to demonstrate basic solutions.
- A place to strengthen the position of Sharjah as a regional center for media innovation.
Major industries will assess a jury campaign of professionals, and the top three teams will introduce their views live during IGCF. The winners will be officially honored at the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA) ceremony on 11 September.
A skill challenge Future technical leaders cultivating
PR is running parallel to the initiative, AI Skills Challenge is another important event in the IGCF Pre-Form program. Conduct by Rubu ‘Qarn Foundation for Science and Technology, the challenge has been targeted on youth between the ages of 10 to 16, which offers early performance for advanced technologies through a structured Char-Charan program:
- Learn – Training in AI, robotics, 3D printing and programming.
- Idea – Churning smart solutions for current challenges.
- execution – Construction of practical prototypes or digital models.
- presentation – Demonstrate results for a panel of experts.
- Participants: Around 45 students.
- expert panel: AI, agriculture, robotics and 12 experts in soft skills will advise and guide the participants.
- Challenge theme: Food security, stability and quality of life.
The purpose of the program is to establish design thinking and practical problem-solution abilities in young minds, promoting the initial understanding of the role of emerging technologies in social development.
University challenge, addressing food security through communication
Now in its fourth edition, the University Challenge will be hosted in partnership with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). This year’s theme, “Importance of food security in achieving community stability,” will guide participants in dealing with one of the most pressure issues in the region through strategic communication lens.
- Participants: 12 university teams from UAE and abroad.
- Target: Translate innovative concepts in communication campaigns and policy proposals.
- emphasis: Merging technical equipment with cultural narratives for impressive solutions.
Each team will present its strategy to a panel of subject matter experts, in which the top three entries will be recognized at the SGCA function.This competition is specially designed:
- Encourage interdisciplinary thinking.
- Build bridges between educational insights and policy-oriented results.
- To promote public awareness and social stability through effective messages.
A platform for IGCF, Global Dialogue and Sharjah’s Innovation Drive
Launched by Sharjah Government Media Bureau, International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) in 2012, became a foundationary program in the communication scenario of the region. Now in its 14th edition, IGCF continues to work as a dynamic platform:
- Decision makers, experts, academics and youth to exchange ideas.
- Discussion of the role of communication in solving social and developmental challenges.
- To shape the regional and international communication policy structure.
The 2025 version, under the theme “Communication for the Quality of Life”, uses the vision of using the communication of Sharjah well, uses it as a strategic tool to increase permanent growth and innovation.Integrating competitions like Global PR Challenge, AI Skills Challenge, and University Challenge, The Forum:
- The next generation cultivates thinkers and doers.
- Connects students with a global network of students and professionals.
- A forward-looking, knowledge-interested in the form of knowledge, confirms the identity of Sharjah.
