The Future of Media Education: After the Algorithm Symposium
April 15, 2025 | 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Lecture Hall B, Main Building | American University of Sharjah (AUS)
Media education is one of the most disrupted and, perhaps by necessity, creative fields of study. This timely symposium will address the phenomenal rise of AI media creation tools, including the challenges, opportunities and practices impacting media students and graduates.
Open to faculty, staff, students and industry professionals.
Organized by the Department of Media Communication of the AUS College of Arts and Sciences, the symposium aims to address the issues that are affecting how we teach media communication as well as prompt discussion concerning how we might respond quickly to shifting industry needs and rapid introduction of new technology tools.
Key objectives
- addressing issues that impact media communication pedagogy
- considering how swiftly we can respond to changes in media industry needs and the rapid introduction of new technology tools
- engaging in a meaningful conversation with academics and industry professionals to draft new recommendations that can influence the media academic programs
- offering your contribution to the future of media education by proposing new ideas on how curricula should reflect a diverse array of voices, needs and experiences
Keynote Speakers
- Dr. Hassan Dawood, Vice Chairman, Alsayegh Worldwide
- Dr. Massimo Leone, Professor of Philosophy of Communication, Visual Semiotics and Cultural Semiotics, Department of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, University of Turin
Panelists
- Chair: Samya Ayish, Independent Journalist and Digital Media Expert
- Marwa Khost Jarkas, Communications Manager, Google Middle East and North Africa
- Eil Al Andari, Executive Editor-in-Chief, Blinx
- Dr. Prithvi Bhattacharya, Assistant Professor and Discipline Leader (Management Science), University of Wollongong, Dubai
- Dr. Cristina Greco, Assistant Professor, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi
- Dr. Abeer Al-Najjar, Associate Professor, Media Communication, American University of Sharjah
Program
3:45–4:30 | Arrival and registration
4:30–4:45 | Welcome session | AUS College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Media Communication
4:45–5:30 | Keynote | Hassan Dawood, Vice Chairman, Alsayegh Worldwide
5:30–6:15 | Keynote | Massimo Leone, Professor of Philosophy of Communication, Visual Semiotics and Cultural Semiotics, Department of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, University of Turin
6:15–7:15 | Panel discussion
7:15–7:30 | Closing remarks
For more information, please contact:
Noura Alblooshi (nkalblooshi@aus.edu) or Dr. Zoe Hurley (Zhurley@aus.edu)
