UDST President Dr. Salem Al-Naemi honouring Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi at a ceremony held recently.
Arabic media track, under the patronage of QMC CEO, highlights university-industry collaboration
Doha, Qatar: For his services, efforts and contributions towards promoting Arabic media studies and practice of quality journalism in the country, President of University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) Dr. Salem Al-Naemi has honoured Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi.
While honouring Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi for his significant efforts for promoting media studies in the Arabic media track at the UDST, Dr. Salem Al-Naemi said, “I extend my profound appreciation to Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi for his exemplary leadership in our agreement with QMC to introduce the Arabic media track within the Digital Communication and Media Production programme, and for the depth of knowledge and extensive media experience he brings to our academic community.”
It is to be noted that in a major development for the fields of digital communication and media production in Qatar, Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) and University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster cooperation in several key areas of mutual interest in 2024.
The collaboration marked an important step towards enhancing the educational and professional landscape of media and technology in Qatar. The MoU outlined a comprehensive scope of work, emphasising the development of a hybrid track adding Arabic within the university’s Bachelor of Science in Digital Communication and Media Production (DCMP) programme, housed at the College of Computing and Information Technology.
The President of UDST further said that Prof. Khalid has been a key strategic partner in designing and implementing this track to serve the evolving needs of the media industry in Qatar.
“He has provided untiring support to UDST and played an instrumental role in coordinating with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to secure scholarships that attract young Qatari students to this field. His expertise, dedication to empowering students, and commitment to developing their talent remain invaluable pillars of UDST’s continued success.”
Commenting on receiving the honour, Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi thanked the UDST President and QMC leadership for their sincere cooperation in launching an Arabic media track for media studies at the university.
“These efforts receive special support and attention from CEO of the Qatar Media Corporation H E Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al-Thani, who consistently emphasises the importance of strengthening cooperation with universities and academic institutions. This aims to enhance educational outcomes and attract young, media-talented professionals to join the Corporation, contributing to the service of the State of Qatar and the advancement of its media sector,” he said.
Prof. Al-Shafi added, “It has created and will continue creating opportunities for the national talented youth to learn the art of modern communication and media at a prestigious seat of learning of applied sciences in the country. Through this department, Qatar will continue having fresh batches of professionals serving the nation in the field of media in the country and abroad.”
The Arabic media track is designed to attract more Qatari students and to equip graduates with the necessary skills to deploy the latest digital technologies in media production and to lead A/V technical teams, excel in all media production professions on stage or behind the scenes, and contribute effectively to use of technology and the communication departments of both public and private organisations.
The partnership between QMC and UDST focuses on several key areas aimed at fostering leadership in media production and communication. Both sides also initiated an exchange of experiences in education, training, and development to enhance learning outcomes in addition to undertaking joint scientific and informative research initiatives under the 2024 pact.
This pact, signed with the efforts of Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi, represents a strategic alliance that is not only benefiting the University of Doha for Science and Technology and Qatar Media Corporation but also the Qatari community at large by nurturing talent and innovation in the field of digital communication and media production.
