Middlesex University Dubai awarded ‘Best Media Centre’ by Forbes Middle East

Middlesex University Dubai was awarded ‘Best Media Centre’ at the Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards 2019 last week. The title was awarded in recognition of the outstanding curricula, achievements, and facilities of the University’s esteemed Media School. The University was previously recognised by Forbes Middle East in 2012 when its MBA Programme was ranked number one in Dubai. It was also voted as the ‘University of the Year’ by uaestudy.com earlier this year.

The Media School at Middlesex University Dubai offers Undergraduate programmes in Journalism and Communication, Advertising, PR and Branding, and Film. It has recently announced the all new BA Honours Digital Media programme for those enrolling in the September intake.

“All of us at the University are delighted to receive this recognition from Forbes Middle East,” said Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Dubai. “Our top-quality UK degree, culturally diverse faculty, high calibre students, emphasis on employability, and encouragement of students to participate in sports, cultural events, and volunteering, makes for an amazing and well-rounded student experience. This is the reason Middlesex University Dubai is one of the fastest growing international universities in the UAE, with a 54% growth in student numbers in the last four years.”

One of the highlights of the Media School is its Film programme, taught by faculty with outstanding industry credentials, who have experience in filmmaking, producing, and screenwriting. The University’s unique MDX Studios features industry-standard editing suites with colour grading suites, editing and VFX suites, an ADR booth, 4k editing facilities, and a newly-designed integrated learning space including a screening room. Middlesex University Dubai is the only university in the Middle East to be certified by Blackmagic Design, with certificates being issued to students by the end of their second year of the programme.

In what has been a hugely successful year for the University, its students, and alumni, class of 2018 BA Honours Film alumna Sreelakshmi Sateesh received widespread acclaim for her short film ‘Hers Truly’, and she has gone on to win awards at film festivals around the world. At the Emirates Short Film Festival 2019, ‘Hers Truly’ received six nominations and won in three major categories: Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Film.

As further testament to the strength of the Media School, world renowned author Stephen King recently awarded film students the rights to adapt his short story ‘Stationary Bike’ as part of his Dollar Baby project, with filming commencing this summer. Alongside this, students have put together promotions for Jurassic World, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and the Universal Studio summit, as part of the University’s partnership with regional film distributer Shooting Stars Middle East.

Middlesex University Dubai was also awarded ‘University of the Year’ at the Dubai Lynx 2019, with its students winning top prizes in both the Dubai Lynx Print and Dubai Lynx Integrated Campaign categories. Attended by the world’s leading advertising and media agencies, exposure to these events allows students to build significant connections and explore employment opportunities.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for achieving such monumental success, and grateful to our faculty who encourage, nurture and provide the guidance which allows our students to succeed.” Dr Cedwyn further added.

Students who wish to find out more about the range of programmes on offer at the University may visit www.mdx.ac.ae.