Sharjah: In its 12th edition, the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA) is reinforcing its mission to build a new generation of government communication leaders, equipped, agile, and ready to navigate a fast-changing world.
According to Emirates News Agency, applications for the current edition are open until 24 July 2025, and eligible participants include government entities, the private sector, international organisations, and individuals. With dedicated categories targeting youth, university students, and artificial intelligence skills, the Award is helping to position the UAE as a regional and global leader in modern government communication.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), SGCA recognises that communication is no longer a soft skill, but one of the top five essential capabilities in today’s leadership and management landscape. A study by the YTH Initiative found that youth-focused communication programmes can boost self-leadership and confidence by more than 45%, an insight that SGCA builds on through the ‘Best Youth Initiative in Government Communication’ category.
The ‘Best Official Spokesperson’ category continues to encourage institutional trust and human-centred communication. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer found that 63% of people are more likely to trust spokespersons who are transparent and responsive, reaffirming the critical role of trusted voices in public engagement.
The Award’s ‘Best Changemakers in Digital Content’ category targets the reality of modern communication consumption. A Hubspot report indicates that 82% of internet users interact daily with short-form video content, emphasizing the need for leaders who can translate public messages into visual storytelling.
To bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world communication, SGCA introduced the ‘Best Research in Communication Sciences’ category. A University of Michigan study revealed that organisations implementing scientific research in their communication strategies saw 71% higher campaign success rates.
The ‘Universities Challenge’ category, hosted in collaboration with United Arab Emirates University, invites students to tackle real-life communication challenges. According to the World Economic Forum, communication and critical thinking are among the most in-demand skills for future leaders, making this initiative an investment in the UAE’s future workforce.
In recognition of emerging technologies, the ‘Artificial Intelligence Skills Camp’ (AISC) category aims to equip young leaders with next-generation tools. A report by edX (2023) found that 92% of global executives plan to upskill in AI within the next two years, underscoring the need for tech fluency in communication leadership.
With knowledge-based programming and robust institutional partnerships, SGCA continues to serve as a national platform for excellence, nurturing talent, rewarding innovation, and advancing the UAE’s global communication leadership.