The International Publishers Association (IPA) has opened an academy sponsored by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), with a series of dialogues, discussions, and in-depth courses in book industry, publishing, and marketing.
The IPA academy is designed to assist world publishers gain commercial and technical skills needed to cope with scourge of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has had a major impact on global industries, including the publishing sector.
The IPA revealed that academic training materials will be available free of cost to associate members of the association. IPA President Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, launched the academy as a major step to redress the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the publishing industry, and support workers in the industry to step-up to the challenges by developing their skill sets and make better use of the available opportunities.
“Over the past two years, I have spoken to more than 150 senior executives in the publishing industry, including publishing houses, distributors, writers, educators, organizers of book fairs, and advocates of literacy and free-expression from over 40 countries. A common theme featured strongly in these discussions is the urgent need to develop the skills of the workforce in the publishing industry to adapt to the pandemic-driven rapid digitalization. The IPA academy is a response to this need and would greatly benefit IPA members and the publishers they represent. I look forward to their interaction with the academy and cannot wait for them to start using it,” she elaborates.
“The IPA academy is a game changer for the global book industry. Based on its role in promoting growth through knowledge and learning and helping publishers to boost their business, SBA is honoured to partner with the IPA to help find solutions to existing and future challenges facing the publishing industry, and to emphasize the importance of strengthening teamwork with the relevant stakeholders to ensure resilience and advance the publishing industry to the next phase of growth,” adds SBA Chairman Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri.
