For the seventh consecutive year, the University Media Initiative is providing hands-on training to media students from Taif University at the Crown Prince Camel Festival 2026, in line with an agreement between the university and the Saudi Camel Racing Federation to develop young national talents in sports and heritage media.
The initiative, which began as a student idea during the festival's first edition in 2018 and was officially adopted in 2019 in the presence of Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, has so far benefited more than 90 male and female students. Participants are integrated into the festival's integrated media center, where they interact with specialized journalists from various outlets and produce TV reports, press materials, and field coverage of camel races and related activities.
By offering a realistic work environment, the program enables students to apply what they learned in courses on applied media, photography, editing, and news writing. It also aims to highlight the leadership's strong support for the heritage sport of camel racing and to present Taif's rich cultural, historical, and touristic legacy in a positive light.
Dr. Nahes Al-Adyani, a faculty member in the media department and supervisor of the initiative, said it represents a pioneering model for empowering young national competencies and turning theoretical academic knowledge into professional practice in the field. He expressed gratitude to Taif University, the Ministry of Sports, and the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, praising the continuous support of Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaid, head of the federation, for the initiative's success and sustainability.
Al-Adyani added that the initiative gives students a golden opportunity to work alongside media experts and contribute to showcasing this major sporting and heritage event, while also highlighting Taif's historical and cultural significance. He noted that many graduates have already joined the workforce, including positions at the Saudi Camel Racing Federation's media center and other prominent media organizations.