Sharjah: The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) has celebrated the graduation of its first Onshur publishing cohort from the Launch Track training program, presided over by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi.
This milestone, celebrated during the 14th annual Sharjah Publishers Conference, highlights Sharjah’s commitment to fostering a dynamic knowledge-driven economy and supporting emerging talent in the publishing industry.
The Onshur program, a collaborative endeavor led by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) in collaboration with the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) and supported by Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone), selected 20 participants from over 140 applicants for a strict six-week training designed to equip new publishers with essential industry skills.
Sheikha Bodour, Chairperson of the SBA addressed the graduates, expressing pride in their dedication and vision. Sheikha Bodour stated that, “Today marks an important milestone in our journey to create a resilient and forward-looking publishing sector in the UAE. Through the Onshur program, we’re assigning a new generation of publishers to lead with passion, adaptability, and vision.”
Executive Director of EPA, Rashid Al Kous, underlined Sheikha Bodour’s instrumental part in advancing the UAE’s publishing sector, noting that Onshur’s Launch Track sets the foundation for an endurable future in regional and global publishing. Rashid Al Kous congratulated the graduates, affirming that they will improve Sharjah’s reputation as a creative hub.
Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA, described Onshur as a transformative movement aiming to furnish participants with knowledge, resources, and global connections.
The event concluded with industry-led panel discussions, providing graduates with insights into the evolving publishing landscape and opportunities to tie in with influential figures across the Arab world.