College of Media Strengthens Its International Scholarly Presence

The College of Media at the Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center continues to implement its strategic plan to advance its academic and research ecosystem through a series of qualitative initiatives. These include the establishment of new academic departments, the recruitment of distinguished faculty members, the modernization of academic curricula, and the expansion of its participation in international scholarly events, further reinforcing the quality of education and strengthening the College's position among leading schools of media and communication.
As part of this strategic direction, the College announced the completion of the accreditation process for five specialized academic departments at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, coinciding with the launch of the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year. This milestone reflects the College's commitment to aligning its academic programs with the rapidly evolving media and communication industry and the changing demands of the labor market.
The newly approved academic structure is the result of a series of coordination meetings led by the Dean of the College, Professor Abdulsalam Al-Wahati, in collaboration with the University leadership, the College Council, and the Curriculum and Academic Planning Committee. These meetings focused on reviewing academic programs, updating study plans, finalizing new course offerings, and integrating them into the University's digital learning platform.
The College's new academic structure now comprises five departments: Digital Media, Media and Public Relations, Digital Journalism, Media Production, and Institutional Communication. These programs provide students with broader opportunities to specialize in contemporary media disciplines that combine academic rigor with professional practice.
Professor Abdulsalam Al-Wahati affirmed that this expansion reflects the College's academic vision of preparing media professionals and researchers equipped with leadership, innovation, and critical thinking skills, enabling them to thrive in today's rapidly changing digital media environment and compete successfully in the global job market.
In parallel with its academic expansion, the College has continued to strengthen its faculty by recruiting a new group of qualified academics following comprehensive academic and professional evaluations designed to meet the needs of its newly established departments and support excellence in teaching and research.
The Dean explained that newly appointed faculty members will participate in specialized orientation and professional development programs covering the University's academic regulations, digital learning platforms, contemporary teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies to ensure the highest standards of academic performance. He emphasized that the College remains committed to developing its educational environment in accordance with international best practices.
Meanwhile, the College Council has held a series of regular meetings to monitor the progress of academic activities and discuss key academic and administrative matters. These meetings reviewed summer semester examination reports, approved teaching schedules for the upcoming semester, assessed the needs of graduate programs, monitored the work of the University Textbook Committee, and coordinated with the University's Curriculum Committee to further enhance academic regulations and study plans in line with recognized quality standards.
The Council also discussed initiatives to improve academic and administrative performance, enhance student support services, and strengthen institutional collaboration among academic departments as part of the College's commitment to achieving excellence and continuous quality improvement.
On the international scholarly front, the College recorded a distinguished presence at the 18th International Scientific Forum of the "AREED" Foundation, hosted by Al-Azhar University. Representing the College, Dr. Hager Sami Ahmed Amer presented a research paper entitled "The Social Challenges of Digital Identity in Light of Contemporary Technological Transformations," examining the impact of digital technologies on social identity, privacy, cultural belonging, and digital awareness.
In addition to presenting her research, Dr. Amer served on the Forum's Organizing Committee and chaired several scientific sessions. She also participated in the Arab Impact Factor Conference, reflecting the College's commitment to strengthening its research profile and expanding scholarly collaboration with academic and research institutions across the region.
These initiatives reflect the College of Media's comprehensive vision of building a modern academic environment that integrates curriculum development, faculty excellence, scientific research, and international academic engagement. Through these efforts, the College seeks to prepare highly qualified media professionals equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required to meet the challenges of the rapidly evolving media industry, while advancing the Islamic University of Minnesota's mission of academic excellence, innovation, and community service.