The seventh edition of the DSS Apprenticeship Programme has reached out to a record number of universities this year, with the addition of the Kingdom of Morocco to the list of participating countries for the very first time.

Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment invited 75 universities from across the Middle East and North Africa to nominate their brightest senior students to win a place in the award-winning destination marketing programme. One student from each of the 12 markets — which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and first-time participant Morocco — will be offered the opportunity to work alongside the talented team of marketing professionals responsible for staging Dubai Summer Surprises, one of the region’s biggest tourism events and marketing success stories of the Arab world.

“Over the past seven years, the DSS Apprenticeship Programme has gone from strength to strength, fulfilling its objective of offering even more students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the world of destination marketing,” said Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer for Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment. “The face of the Arab world is one that is changing on a daily basis, yet the region remains one of the most inspiring for young and fresh minds across various disciplines.

The DSS Apprenticeship Programme makes the region a part of the success of DSS by building talent among the next generation of young marketers and it is a matter of great pride that we are able to extend the opportunity to yet another country this year.”

Students from Al Akhawayn University in Morocco are set to bring even more creativity to the talented pool of young participants from across the region.

“Morocco as a market and a culture is very different from the GCC, the Levant and even its North African neighbour Egypt. We are sure the apprentice selected from Morocco will bring a fresh new perspective and a different frame of experience that will greatly enrich the programme. We have an excellent agenda for our young apprentices this year and we are sure the winner from Morocco will find the entire experience incredibly stimulating, educational and great fun, in keeping with the spirit of DSS.”

Growing from four participating universities in two markets when it first began in 2006 to its current expansive list of 75 universities across 12 markets, the selection process begins with each university nominating its top six senior students from the marketing, business administration and travel and tourism streams.

Each student is asked to submit an essay on a topic chosen by the DSS Apprenticeship Programme team. This year, the students were asked to submit an essay on ‘What new strategies and opportunities they would implement to make the 2012 edition have a stronger impact across the region’.

A special jury comprising key DSS staff and other marketing professionals will evaluate the final submissions before selecting a student for each country.

The winners will each receive an all-expense paid trip to Dubai, inclusive of return flights and a two-week stay at The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, one of the world’s leading business hospitality management schools, managed by the Jumeirah Group the global luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding. The winners will work closely with the DSS team throughout their internship, attending workshops, taking part in visits to key DSS events and tourism landmarks and meeting leading players responsible for building the Destination Dubai brand.

The internship will offer students the opportunity to get hands-on experience that will both enhance their theoretical understanding of their chosen field of study as well as its practical application while building a valuable network of potential future employers and corporate mentors.