Alya Hassan Al Yassi has had a passion for the media since she was young. Today, she’s a director of communications for the Federal Government, and has even published a book.
"I studied media at Zayed University for five years, and our course highlighted the media from an international level, but when it came to the UAE, we didn't study anything," says Al Yassi. "That's why my capstone project was a documentary book called Our Media Identity. It records UAE media history from 1927 until now."
The 28-year-old, who grew up in Sharjah and holds a bachelor’s degree in PR and management and a master’s in communication, was given her first taste of the media in school. “I participated in reading the newspaper on the school radio,” she says. “I also published many editions of [school] magazines. First, I started doing it by hand, and then my mother bought us a computer.”
Al Yassi, who has previously worked at the National Media Council, believes that once people become ensconced in the media world, it’s a lifelong learning curve. “Each second, I learn a new skill and shape my personality, especially being that I am interacting and communicating with people from different cultures, backgrounds and education levels.”
Al Yassi, who now lives in Dubai, hopes that via her career, she can influence the younger generations and contribute to the country as a whole. “It is my responsibility. I strongly believe I will add value to this field,” she says.
What advice would she give to Emiratis who aspire to make it to where she is now? “They should plan very well from the early stages, and shape their dreams by the right education, volunteering and social activities and reading. Also, they should protect their identity and be proud of our national identity.”
While media is her first love, Al Yassi says she “loves research and the academic environment”, and is considering a future career in academia.
mhealy@thenational.ae
