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Orient Planet and Irish Academy launch PR venture

The Irish Academy of Public Relations is partnering with Dubai-based Orient Planet to create the first online PR and communications academy in the Middle East. Orient Planet Academy – www.opacademy.com – will provide the Irish Academy’s courses to students exclusively across the Middle East, Levant and North Africa regions.

Orient Planet Academy will facilitate internationally recognised certificate courses in public relations, journalism, event management and English grammar. Offering a wide degree of flexibility to its prospective students, Orient Planet Academy’s courses can be completed in a time span of 10 to 20 weeks. All courses offered by Orient Planet Academy have been designed by The Irish Academy of Public Relations and will be tutored by communications professionals in the Middle East.

“The Irish Academy has an ever-growing footprint across Europe, the United States, Latin America and Africa,” says Ellen Gunning, Director, The Irish Academy of Public Relations. “Over the years, we have seen the immense potential of the online education market in the Arab world, and we believe now is the ideal time to establish our presence in the rapidly expanding industry. We entered into a joint venture with Orient Planet to mark our expansion in the Middle East and serve a market of more than 314 million people through our comprehensive courses; Orient Planet Academy will be an added value to the growing industry. Initially, the courses will be taught in English, with a view of offering them in Arabic in the coming weeks.

Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Director of Orient Planet adds, “Although the Arab region’s PR and communications industry has been continuously growing, we realised that there was no online platform in the region that provides professionals and students alike the chance to further develop their skills in PR, communications, marketing and social media. Orient Planet Academy not only aims to provide flexibility but it also offers employed individuals and young students an opportunity to earn an internationally recognised certificate. We have localised all courses to address the cultural requirements of the region, and will offer a modern educational platform for a new generation of communications experts, capable of meeting the needs of Arab and global markets.”

Orient Planet and INEGMA announce partnership

Orient Planet, the integrated marketing and communications company, and The Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), the strategy and security consultancy, have announced a joint venture to establish a new unit called Orient Planet-INEGMA. The specialised unit aims to effectively deliver PR and strategic communication campaigns targeting the defense, security and risk domains.

“At INEGMA, we recognise the importance of having focused and powerful communication strategies that are tailored to fit the needs of security and defense industries,” says Riad Kahwaji, CEO, INEGMA. “These strategies must be consistent and properly delivered through the most effective means, and this is why our partnership with Orient Planet is a welcome development. Through Orient Planet-INEGMA, we will offer communication solutions for the very dynamic and complex defense, security and risk industries, and create relevant PR and marketing strategies. Clients in the defense and security sectors will be assured of sophisticated, timely and significant solutions.”

Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Director of Orient Planet adds, “Orient Planet-INEGMA is the first of its kind in the region to offer a diverse range of communication-based services in highly specialised industries of defense, security and risks. We are pleased that we are bridging this gap in the market with INEGMA, whose expertise in these three areas are widely recognised. Orient Planet-INEGMA will help companies in these domains to further establish their brand and identity and effectively reach their target audience.”