Writing

Short pieces and notes on higher education, communication, universities, and the people in them, most of them first shared on LinkedIn. Newest first.

• 22 September 2026

  How a media program earns accreditation

  How does a media program actually earn accreditation? Not just on reputation, but more importantly, on successful external validation. For example, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) puts media programs through a rigorous three-step process.

  Having been part of three successful ACEJMC accreditation applications, I've seen firsthand how demanding and valuable this process is.

  The Process:

  1. Self-Study: Programs write a narrative addressing the standards, compile syllabi, student work, and data into a comprehensive report
  2. Site Visit: Educators and industry professionals inspect facilities, sit in classes, and talk to students and faculty
  3. Evidence Evaluation: Visitors vote on compliance, standard by standard

  ACEJMC has Eight Core Standards:

  1. Mission, Governance, and Administration
  2. Curriculum and Instruction
  3. Assessment of Student Learning
  4. Advancing a Culturally Proficient Workforce (replaces the older Diversity & Inclusiveness standard)
  5. Faculty
  6. Student Services
  7. Resources, Facilities and Equipment
  8. Student Learning Outcomes

  Programs are tested on whether students actually learn and retain core skills (clear writing, media law, ethics, etc.) using both direct evidence (e.g., graded portfolios) and indirect evidence (e.g., employer surveys). Heaviest weight falls on Curriculum and Assessment, because a program can look great on paper, but if graduates can't write clean copy on deadline, that's the standard that reveals it.

  Accreditation lasts 6 years and isn't automatically renewed; programs must reapply and go through the full process again. It's a real stress test of whether a program delivers on what it promises, not a formality.

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• 15 September 2026

  What program accreditation really means

  What does it really mean when an academic program is “accredited” and why does it matter beyond the university's general accreditation?

  Specialized program accreditation focuses on a specific academic program, not the institution. While institutional accreditation, such as that conducted by the U.S. Middle States Commission on Higher Education, evaluates a university's overall mission, governance, finances, and effectiveness, program accreditation asks a more discipline-specific question: does this academic program meet the professional standards of its field?

  This is why fields such as engineering, computing, business, art and design, medicine, law, and media education rely on specialized bodies and frameworks such as ABET, AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA, NASAD, ENAEE/EUR-ACE, the Seoul Accord, ACEJMC, AQAS, and others. These accreditors supplement institutional accreditation by applying standards tied to administration, curriculum, faculty, student learning, scholarship, diversity, ethics, resources, assessment, professional engagement, and outreach.

  Focusing on media program accreditation in the Arab world, ACEJMC-accredited examples appear primarily in the UAE and Qatar, including Zayed University, the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, the American University in Dubai, Ajman University, and Qatar University. AQAS-accredited communication and media-related programs in the region include, in no particular order, Cairo University, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport’s Bachelor of Arts in Media, Ajman University, City University Ajman, Liwa University’s Bachelor of Mass Communication, Fujairah University's Public Relations and Mass Communication program, Al Ain University's Bachelor of Communication and Media, and the UAE University’s Mass Communication program.

  In the UAE, such international recognition also operates alongside national quality assurance through the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).

  The real value of accreditation lies not (just) in the recognition itself, but in the standards behind it, and in how those standards shape the future of journalism, communication, and digital media education. In my next post, I will look at what these standards actually measure.

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• 1 May 2026

  A conference on corporate and government communication

  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.

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• 13 March 2026

  Remembering Dr. Richard Cawood

  I 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

  During 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

  This 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

  #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

  Congratulations 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

  مشاركة 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

  In 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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