Sharjah24: With the aim of discussing the development plans and reviewing the academic achievements accomplished this year, the College of Communication at the University of Sharjah (UOS) held its first Advisory Board meeting in the presence of His Excellency, Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, His Excellency Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of the College of Communication Advisory Board and Chairman of Sharjah Media City (Shams).

The UoS’s Chancellor, welcomed the members of the Advisory Board stressing that the College of Communication will continue  its growth and development within the media field by virtue of the joint collaboration and support from all the national and international institutes, coinciding with the UOS’s celebration marking its 25th anniversary since its establishment, pointing out that the Advisory Board’s proposals, directions and advises will contributes in the flourishing and elevation of the College of Communication. He added that the University offers 122 academic programs accredited locally, and 60% of those programs have been accredited internationally including programs offered at the College of Communication. 

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of the College of Communication Advisory Board and Chairman of Sharjah Media City (Shams), praised the capabilities of the UOS and the College of Communication and the continuous cooperation with governmental and private institutes at the UAE, stressing the importance of uniting  the academic and media efforts to implement qualifying programs to equip and accommodate competent media personnel, enabling them to practice various forms of media locally and internationally.

Prof. Jairo A. Lugo-Ocando, Dean of the College of Communication, delivered a presentation to clarify the college’s mission and its objectives including the provision of educational programs that comply with the latest global trends, in addition to providing distinguished services in the field of applied research, training, media production and consulting, besides conducting joint research which contributes to developing knowledge and serving the society. The Dean also introduced the college’s departments and highlighted the local and international academic accreditation of the programs offered and the new programs which will be offered next year, as well as discussed the most prominent challenges facing the college and ways of combating them.

The members of the Advisory Board who attended the meeting consisted of Brigadier General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amir, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police (SP), His Excellency, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, His Excellency, Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chairman of UAE Journalists Association, His Excellency, Saad Al-Rubaian, Director of the Kuwait Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Her Excellency, Muna Abu Samra, Editor in Chief, Emarat Al Youm, Her Excellency, Dr. Hessa Lootah, Media Professor, His Excellency, Prof. Everette E. Dennis,  Dean of the Northwestern University, Qatar, and Roberto Ordonez, Managing Partner, Alkimya Catalyst. In addition to attendees from the UoS including Dr. Salah Taher AL Haj, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, and Prof. Jairo A. Lugo-Ocando, Dean of the College of Communication and a number of the college’s faculty members. 

At the end of the meeting, it has been agreed to study all proposed suggestions , implement them in a time plan and provide the necessary support by the advisory board members through discussing the capabilities and competencies available to promote the educational system.