MANSEHRA, (PR) : MPhil research scholars Raja Muhammad Sohail Khan and Shahid Qayyum Raja met with Dr. Majid Al-Ghaffar, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Hazara University. The scholars congratulated Dr. Majid on his appointment and presented him with recent print media reports. In return, Dr. Majid gifted them a copy of his book, Broadcast Journalism.
During the discussion, Dr. Majid emphasized the vast scope of Communication and Media Studies, encouraging students not to limit their pursuits. He urged research scholars to focus on high-quality research that benefits the nation rather than seeing their work as merely a means to obtain a degree. He praised Hazara University’s Department of Communication and Media Studies, highlighting its reputation for delivering top-tier, modern education that aligns with global standards in media studies. The department, he said, is among Pakistan’s leading institutions in media studies, offering students a comprehensive academic and practical training environment that prepares them for real-world challenges.
Dr. Majid expressed pride in being appointed to such a pivotal department, noting that Hazara University’s media department is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic media and broadcasting studios, including a television studio and Campus Radio FM 98.6. Alongside coursework, the department emphasizes hands-on journalism experience, publishing the bilingual newspaper Campus Observer in both Urdu and English, where students contribute news articles, reports, and columns. Additionally, students receive training in scriptwriting, anchoring, editing, reporting, photography, ticker writing, content development, and programming.
Dr. Majid highlighted the transformative impact of social and digital media on communication, pointing to the university’s advanced digital media lab that provides students with training in social media, web advertising, and internet communication. Students create content for various university social media platforms, which enhances their practical skills and familiarity with digital media tools.
On the importance of research, Dr. Majid emphasized that Hazara University is fully committed to fostering high-quality research, advising scholars to pursue research not solely as a requirement for degrees or promotions but as a means to disseminate knowledge. Published research, he noted, is a credible source of knowledge, as it informs the public of ongoing work in specific fields.
Expressing their thoughts, scholars Raja Sohail Khan and Shahid Qayyum shared that they are currently active in the media field and chose Hazara University for further study due to the department’s esteemed reputation. They acknowledged the valuable learning opportunities provided by the professional faculty, which have enhanced their practical skills. They also expressed pride in conducting research under Dr. Majid’s mentorship, confident that their work would contribute to societal benefit through high-quality research.
The scholars also congratulated Dr. Majid on his recent pilgrimage to Mecca and expressed hope that his appointment as chairperson would bring further excellence to the Department of Communication and Media Studies.