DUBAI: The Arab Fashion Council (AFC) has partnered with prestigious Italian fashion school Polimoda on a scholarship for aspiring professionals from the GCC for Polimoda"s Masters in Fashion Brand Management program, commencing in April 2024. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle They will also offer additional tutoring sessions for personal branding. "When speaking with Jacob Adrian (CEO of AFC), I discovered an enormous possibility here in Dubai. It"s become a hub for people to connect and for creative minds to express themselves freely," Massimiliano Giornetti, director of Polimda and the former creative director of Salvatore Ferragamo, told Arab News. He also believes it is fundamental for schools uniquely operating in Florence to lend their support to other professionals in fashion. "The idea of collaboration is a natural step in approaching and finding new talent who can come to Florence and learn from global professionals. They can return to the Middle East with a stronger and more precise identity," he said. The program, on-site at their campus in Florence, will give students the creative and strategic tools they need to excel in the field. The course is based on three main pillars: “Vision,” which delves into a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans, society, and industries; “Management,” which discusses business models via strategic marketing; and “Communications,” which teaches students how to deliver compelling brand narratives. The faculty teaching the courses will be a combination of veteran industry professionals alongside guest lecturers and is spread over 700 contact hours. Once complete, graduates will be able to apply for various roles in brand management. On why Polimoda chose this course for a scholarship, Giornetti discusses the need for more consistency and authenticity among designers, saying: “It"s crucial to establish and create a vision. It"s important to have the possibility to come to a new place like our school in Florence, where we represent so many nationalities. So it"s international by definition, where you create a connection with other students who share the same ideas, but at the same time, you"re establishing your identity." The application process will run from Nov. 1- Dec. 1. Candidates can complete the application on the Polimoda website by selecting the Polimoda Master Course in Fashion Brand Management (April 2024 edition).