Sharjah24 – WAM: American University of Sharjah (AUS) announced the media competition winners held as part of AUS-Shams Media Day on campus on 8th November. The event brought together talented youth who addressed climate change through creative media projects.

Held under the theme of "Immediacy," the competition received entries from more than 65 high school and university students across the UAE who created innovative works that underscore the urgency of tackling climate change.

The event was jointly organised by Sharjah Media City (Shams) and the AUS Department of Media Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with the Department of Art and Design in the College of Architecture, Art and Design and the Office of Enrollment Management—Sharakah Programme.

The winners were selected for their innovative approaches, impactful storytelling and commitment to raising awareness about climate change.

Dr. Khalid Omar Almidfa, Chairman of Shams, said, "In a world where media plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of pressing issues, it's truly heartening to witness the power of youth, creativity and innovation in addressing the urgent challenge of climate change. I've always believed in the unique value that young minds bring to the table. They offer fresh perspectives on age-old problems and lead us to resolutions we may have never considered."

AUS students Marim Sharaf and Wenxuan Sui took home top honours in the Best Video and Best Fictional Narrative categories with their thought-provoking project "Man vs Nature." AUS student Aziza Kashash's photo essay, "Decay Climate: A Captured Urgency," earned her recognition in the Best Photo Essay category.

Sharaf said, "Winning these awards gave us a great sense of accomplishment. Making 'Man vs Nature' had its ups and downs, but the grind never stops."

Other notable university winners included Manipal Academy of Higher Education's team for their "Fashion Show" project, which claimed first place in the Best Social Media Project category. Yujie Zhang from the University of Birmingham Dubai captivated audiences with her innovative "Biodiversity Loss" animation, securing the Best Documentary Technique award.

High school students also excelled in the competition, with Zainah Alireza from Al Mawakeb School winning first place in the Best Video category for her project "Heatwave." A team from Al Maaref Private School impressed the judges with their "Combating Climate Change with Desert Wind Energy" project, earning them the Best Social Media Project award. Komila Kadirova from GEMS Metropole School won the Best Photo Essay award for her entry "Urgency."

Laya Samaha from Sharjah American International School, Dubai, secured the Best Fictional Narrative award for her project "Wake Up." A team from Ras Al Khaimah American Academy for Girls took home the Best Documentary Technique award for their project "Sustainability Revolution."

Dr. Sohail Dahdal, Head of the Department of Media Communication at AUS, said, "We are delighted to witness the incredible talent and dedication of the participants in addressing one of the most critical challenges of our time—climate change. The media competition showcased the power of creative expression in raising awareness and driving positive change. AUS is proud to be at the forefront of initiatives empowering youth to make a difference through their media projects."

AUS-Shams Media Day featured a diverse range of activities, including screenings of thought-provoking media projects, talks from industry experts and an awards ceremony that recognised the outstanding contributions of the winners.