Abu Dhabi University Concludes its First International Conference on Media and Communication 2018
Leading international academics and media practitioners have convened in Abu Dhabi at the 1st International Conference on Media and Communication (ICMC 2018) to discuss ways in which modern technologies are revolutionizing the media and communications space.
Hosted by the Department of Communication Studies and Languages at Abu Dhabi University (ADU), the three-day conference took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island from 19th to 21st March under the theme ‘Media and Communication in the Interactive Digital Age’. The International Conference provided an ideal platform to explore the latest industry trends in the digital era.
ICMC 2018 received 45 papers from 17 different countries spanning key topics such as media regulation and public policies, digital journalism practices, social media, media brand, managerial and economic business models.
During the conference, Best English paper was awarded to Dr Maha Alrashid, Assistant Professor and Head of Media, Tourism, and Arts Department at University of Bahrain on behalf of her group which included Abdul-Karim Ziani, Associated Professor in the Department of Media, Tourism, and Arts at Bahrain University, Mokhtar Elareshi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Media and Communication at University of Tripoli, Mohammad Qudah, Professor in the Department of Mass Communication at University of Kuwait, for their study titled ‘Perception of Bahraini Women towards the Use of Whatsapp: An Empirical TAM Study’. Best Arabic paper went to Rokia Adman, that focused on the role of the internet in framing the social life of the Algerian youth.
The event has drawn the participation of three distinguished speakers from Germany, USA and UAE, who delivered their speeches during the opening sessions. The keynote speakers are Prof. Mike Friedrichsen, Founding President of Berlin University of Digital Sciences, Prof. Steven S. Wildman, Visiting Scholar at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Abdullatif Al Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer of Alsayegh Media.
Speaking on the importance of the conference, Hamdi Sheibani, Dean of ADU’s College of Arts and Sciences, said: “Since the turn of the millennium, the global broadcast and communications industry has undergone an unparalleled, tumultuous and rapid transformation. The sector is now inextricably linked with IT and telecom through digital media. Therefore, events such as ICMC play a crucial role in keeping media students up to date with the latest developments in the field.”
Viola Gjylbegaj, the Chair of the Conference ICMC 2018 and Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at ADU, highlighted that: “The conference provides an ideal platform to exchange ideas, discuss views and covers many of the current debates concerning the relevant issues in the field of media and communication. I am to have had the opportunity to organize such a big event.”
Further, Dr. Viola added: “I would like to take the chance to thank our sponsors who supported the event, The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs of Abu Dhabi University, Baynounah TV and Alsayegh Media as silver sponsors, while Imperial Catering and Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau have taken on the roles of the bronze sponsors.”
For her part, Dr Azza Abdel-Azim Mohamed Ahmed, Professor of Mass Communication at ADU and Co-chair for the Arabic Papers said: “This gathering brings together academics, researchers and media professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds to examine the impact of state-of-the-art technologies on media and communications practices.”