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The Emirates News Agency reported that H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, applauded Shams’ remarkable breakthrough while witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Sharjah Media City (Shams) and the Faculty of Communication at the University of Barcelona. The pact creates a structure for joint work in media development, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and scientific research that will include training programmes and workshops. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed emphasised the value of linking academic institutions with industry to build capabilities among emerging talent. The agreement also supports cultural exchange and the conversion of student ideas into commercial media projects.
Rashid Abdullah Al Obad, Director-General of Sharjah Media City (Shams), signed the MoU with Dr. Joan G. Burguera, Dean of the Faculty of Philology and Communication at the University of Barcelona. Both parties intend to share best practices and organise events that advance the media sector on each side. The partnership builds on earlier cooperation that launched a master’s programme in media entrepreneurship and digital innovation. Officials described the latest step as strengthening ties between education, creative economy and industry requirements.
Sharjah Media City (Shams) was created in 2017 under an Emiri Decree to develop the media and creative sector, the official Shams website states. The free zone has broadened its licence portfolio beyond media to encompass technology, consulting, e-commerce and trading activities while retaining its emphasis on content production. A Gulf News assessment from November 2025 placed the zone among the fastest for company formation in the UAE through a 60-minute digital licensing system that operates entirely online.
Shams launched a film and television production complex in December 2025 that contains 9,600 square metres of soundstages built to international acoustic and technical specifications, Zawya reported. The facility features five stages sized between 1,500 and 3,100 square metres and is equipped for dramas, feature films and virtual production. Rashid Abdulla Al Obad said the studios will draw large-scale international projects from the United States, Britain and India by offering competitive conditions and year-round availability. The development forms one element of a wider plan to establish an integrated media ecosystem across Sharjah.
Earlier in January 2026 Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed honoured recipients of the second Shams Award for Arabic Content at the House of Wisdom, Gulf Today reported. The competition organised by Sharjah Media City (Shams) recognised excellence in screenplays, short films, artificial-intelligence videos, podcasts and overall content creation. Winners included entrants from the UAE, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq across multiple categories. The awards programme forms part of ongoing efforts to elevate Arabic media production and reward innovative storytelling.
A Khaleej Times review published in April 2026 described Shams as having matured into a comprehensive business ecosystem that lowers barriers for startups and foreign investors through remote registration and supplementary services. Its Mazeed initiative connects licensees with banking partners, accounting providers and digital tools to accelerate growth. These capabilities have helped attract entrepreneurs seeking access to regional markets while supporting Sharjah’s ambition to become a hub for knowledge-based investment.
