Deanship of Graduate Studies Holds PhD Dissertation Defense on Use of Infographics in News Websites

The Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the main center of the Islamic University of Minnesota continued its academic activities by holding a public defense of the PhD dissertation submitted by researcher Abdulrahman Ahmed Adam Makin, from the Department of Digital Media at the College of Media. The dissertation was entitled: "The Use of Infographics by News Websites and Its Relationship to Content Richness: The Websites of Al-Riyadh and Al-Raya Qatar Newspapers as Models." The defense was attended by members of the examination committee, along with a number of academics, researchers, and professionals interested in digital media.

The dissertation examined the use of infographic technology on news websites and its role in enriching journalistic content and enhancing the audience’s informational and cognitive experience. The study was based on an applied analysis of the websites of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Riyadh newspaper and Qatar’s Al-Raya newspaper, aiming to identify patterns of visual media use and assess their contribution to the development of news content in line with the rapid transformations taking place in the digital media landscape.

The examination committee consisted of Professor Dr. Hanan Sobhi Obaid, Head of the Graduate Studies Department and Academic Vice Dean of the College of Media, who served as Chair; Dr. Al-Tayeb Ahmed Al-Sadeq, first dissertation supervisor; and Associate Professor Dr. Badia Abdulqader, second supervisor. Professor Dr. Abdulsalam Sayed Al-Wahati, Professor of Journalism and Digital Media and Dean of the College of Media, served as the internal examiner, while Dr. Yassin Bashir Yassin, Professor of Digital Media, served as the external examiner.

The defense featured an extensive academic discussion addressing the study’s theoretical framework, methodology, and key findings. The committee also discussed issues related to the development of digital news content and the role of visual communication tools in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of media messages. The committee members provided a number of academic comments and recommendations that contributed to enriching the dissertation and strengthening its academic value.

The dissertation defense underscores the Islamic University of Minnesota’s commitment to supporting specialized research in digital media and encouraging studies that respond to the rapid technological developments taking place in the media industry. It also reflects the university’s efforts to prepare researchers equipped with modern research tools and capable of contributing to the advancement of media knowledge and meeting the demands of the contemporary digital environment.