Mohammed Khalaf, Chairman of AQU College of Communication AB

The Board members praised the continuous support provided by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Founder of the University, to the education and media sectors, appreciating His Highness’s keenness to enable Al Qasimia University to provide advanced educational programmes that keep pace with global developments and enhance students’ skills.

Developing academic programmes

The meeting was held within the framework of a clear vision aimed at developing academic programmes and linking them to the requirements of the media labour market, as the Board discussed a number of strategies to ensure that curricula are aligned with the needs of the profession, with a focus on following up on graduates and analysing the statements received from various media institutions.

Facing future challenges

Professor Mohammed Hassan Khalaf opened the meeting with a speech in which he stressed the importance of integration between media and academic institutions in preparing a new generation of media professionals capable of facing the challenges of the future, stressing the need to develop curricula in line with the rapid digital transformations and the requirements of the labour market.

The meeting, which was held at AQU headquarters, was attended by Tariq Allay, Director General of Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Rashid Al Obad, Director of Sharjah Media City (Shams); and Colonel Dr. Mohammed Butti Al Hajri, Director of Media and Public Relations at Sharjah Police.

During the discussion of the agenda, the Council praised the approval of the Academic Accreditation Commission at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to establish the specialisations of visual and audio production, and journalism and digital publishing within the Bachelor of Arts in Media programme, which constitutes a qualitative addition that enhances students' opportunities in advanced digital media fields.

Enhancing cooperation with media institutions

The Council also listened to a detailed presentation on the college's performance during the past period, presented by Dr. Hesham Abbas, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, where the most prominent academic achievements and initiatives that enhanced the educational and applied level of students were reviewed. The spotlight was also on graduation projects and production works accomplished by students inside the radio and television studios equipped with the latest media technologies.

At the end of the meeting, the Advisory Council of the Faculty of Communication stressed the importance of continuing to develop curricula and enhancing cooperation with media institutions, which contributes to preparing distinguished graduates capable of keeping pace with the rapid developments in the media sector, armed with advanced skills and high professional awareness.