Best wishes to the College of Media Faculty @ Liwa University for a successful conference that discusses and debates the critical roles of corporate and government communication in today’s digital world.
Short pieces and notes on higher education, communication, universities, and the people in them, most of them first shared on LinkedIn. Newest first.
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1 May 2026
A conference on corporate and government communication
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13 March 2026
Remembering Dr. Richard Cawood
View on LinkedInI join the UAE academic community in mourning the passing of Dr. Richard Cawood, a creative educator, designer, and portrait photographer who was based in Dubai. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, he taught and collaborated internationally in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, and most recently served as a faculty member at #ZayedUniversity. Dr. Cawood combined artistic practice with teaching in design, animation, and multimedia, while also working with global brands and contributing to the region’s creative community.
He will be remembered as a thoughtful educator and artist whose work brought together creativity, technology, and human connection. I will remember Richard as the colleague who introduced me to ChatGpt and who had cutting edge solutions to everything creative.
My condolences to his wife Marisela, and to his three children.
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6 March 2026
The UAE in times of crisis
View on LinkedInDuring my four decades in the United Arab Emirates, the region has witnessed numerous wars and crises. These included armed conflicts, economic downturns, health emergencies, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. During such turbulent periods, citizens and residents alike inevitably experienced moments of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty about circumstances beyond their control, and about their possible repercussions for personal safety, wellbeing, employment, and the future.
Yet in each of these difficult moments, the UAE consistently proved to be among the very best places one could hope to be. Essential services remained reliable and accessible. Food supplies were secure and uninterrupted. Electricity and fuel were available. Hospitals and health centers continued to operate efficiently and were well staffed. Civil defense services remained vigilant. Highways and roads stayed open, with appropriate regulations when necessary. Banks and ATMs functioned normally. And depending on the circumstances, airports remained operational and airlines resumed service as conditions permitted.
In the management of emergencies and crises, the United Arab Emirates stands among the world’s most capable and well-prepared nations. Time and again, the country has demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and steadfast leadership. There is every reason to believe that the present moment will be no different.
Thank you, UAE, for providing me and countless others with a quality of life that is exceptional, not only within our region, but well beyond.
خطاك السو يا إماراتنا الحبيبة.
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19 February 2026
Congratulations on a consequential study
View on LinkedInThis study is both theoretically meaningful and practically consequential. Also, it has policy implications in the Arab region. Congratulations to co-authors #AlNajjar and #Dahdal.
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20 November 2025
Hosting the UAE Media Council
View on LinkedIn#LiwaUniversity’s College of Media was pleased to host Ms. #SomayaAlAli, Director of Partnerships and International Cooperation at the #UAEMediaCouncil, in a workshop titled “The New Media System in the UAE.”
The session touched on the latest developments in the national media sector, the objectives of the new media system, and its role in enhancing competitiveness, while discussing the future of Emirati media amid rapid digital and AI transformation. Thank you Ms. Al Ali for your thoughtful presentation.
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15 November 2025
New scholarship on AI and war narratives
View on LinkedInCongratulations to our former colleague Dr. Shadi Abu Ayyash, and present LU’s colleagues Dr. Maeen Al Mitamy and Dr. Amor Amor on the publication of their latest scholarly contribution on the impact of AI’s algorithms on the media narratives concerning the Russia-Ukraine war. This chapter is a notable contribution on a very important topic that lends its findings to other conflicts as well.
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10 November 2025
Crisis communication research from our faculty
View on LinkedInمشاركة د. يحيى في هذا المؤتمر كانت بورقة علمية موضوعها هو "منصات التواصل الاجتماعي وإعادة تشكيل قواعد اتصال الأزمات". د. يحيى لديه كتاب منشور حول الاتصال خلال الأزمات، وهو من الباحثين الواعدين في هذا المجال. مشاركة متميزة للزميلين د. يحيى و د. معين الميتمي من كلية الإعلام بجامعة ليوا.
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20 October 2024
Friday football as a leadership indicator
View on LinkedInIn our faculty, seven colleagues come together regularly to play football with other LC faculty and staff. No matter how busy or tired they may be, their game takes precedence. It’s more than just a game, it helps them unwind, stay fit, and build strong bonds with each other. Every Friday afternoon, this time on the field gives them a break from the everyday pressures of work, letting them recharge and face challenges with a fresh perspective. Plus, the teamwork and energy from playing together carry over into their professional life, making our faculty a close-knit and positive group.
As Dean, I recognized the value of this athletic engagement among my faculty. I integrated it as a key performance indicator (KPI) in our strategic plan, highlighting our achievement in fostering a balanced and active lifestyle.
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14 October 2024
News fatigue and mental health
View on LinkedInإذا كنت من متابعي مشاهدة وقراءة الأخبار يوميا، وخاصة أخبار الحروب، والجرائم، والعنف، والكوارث، إحذر، فصحتك النفسية وربما الجسدية كذلك في خطر. حيث تظهر الأبحاث ان التعرض المطول لمشاهد وأخبار الحروب والعنف له آثار سلبية كبيرة على الصحة النفسية. وتعاني هذه الفئة من إرتفاع مستويات التوتر، والعصبية، والإكتئاب، بل تتسبب المتابعة المفرطة للأخبار التي تتضمن مشاهد قتل، ودمار، وتشريد، وحرمان، تتسبب في الإرهاق والاستنزاف العاطفي، وإضطرابات في النوم، ولها تأثيرات متعددة على العمل والدراسة والعلاقات الاجتماعية. وعندما تقترن المشاهدة بالشعور بالعجز إزاء ما يراه الفرد، تزداد المخاطر على صحة الإنسان النفسية والعقلية. وللتخفيف من هذه الآثار، يوصي خبراء الإعلام بتقنين مشاهدة مثل هذه الأخبار، أي تقليل عدد مرات مشاهدتها خلال اليوم الواحد، و تجنب مشاهدة ما يثير لدى الفرد إستجابة عاطفية قوية، أو صدمة، وينصح الخبراء بعدم تبادل المحتوى الصادم مع الآخرين، والانخراط في الاستهلاك الواعي لمصادر الأخبار، وعدم كتم المشاعر السلبية في النفس دون التعبير عنها مع الأصدقاء والأقارب. إهمال التأثيرات السلبية لما نشاهده يوميا هذه الأيام على صحتنا النفسية والعقلية له عواقب وخيمة على المدى الطويل. كما أن تقليل التعرض للأخبار المحزنة والمفجعة يجب الا يجعلنا نشعر بالذنب وعدم الإكتراث إزاء ما يحدث، بل هو حرص ضروري على حماية الذات.
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12 October 2024
Joining the Arab Network for Creativity and Innovation
View on LinkedInLC's Faculty of Media is now a founding member of the Arab Network for Creativity and Innovation #arabnci.
Creativity is essential because we want to encourage our students to think critically and generate original ideas in the media sphere. Creativity enhances their ability to solve problems uniquely, adapt to new challenges, and approach situations with fresh perspectives.
Innovation is also essential because we want to empower our students to apply creative ideas in practical ways, turning them into actionable media solutions. Innovation fosters a mindset of continuous improvement, enabling students to implement changes that can drive progress and positively impact their media careers.