The South Asia Center for Media in Development (SACMID) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) of United International University (UIU), to work together to explore research projects, organize joint activities, creating, disseminating and exchanging IEC materials, and other co-operation in the area of media literacy and communication. The signing of the MoU took placed on November 18, 2023, at United International University’s main campus, located at United City, Madani Avenue, Dhaka 1212.
The MoU was signed in front of representatives from both organizations. From the UIU, Dr. Sheikh Shafiul Islam, Head of Media Studies and Journalism Department and from SACMID, Mr. Syed Kamrul Hasan, Deputy Director and Program Manager of SACMID signed the MoU.
The chief guest at the signing ceremony was Prof. Dr. Md. Abul Kashem Mia, Vice-Chancellor of UIU. Emeritus Professor Dr. M. Rezwan Khan, Director, Institute for Advanced Research (IAR), Mr. Md. Abdul Moqaddem, Treasurer; Professor Dr. Hamidul Huq, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Dr. Md. Zulfiqur Rahman, Registrar; Prof. Dr. AKM Muzahidul Islam, Director, Center for International Affairs and Cooperation; Prof. Dr. Salekul Islam, Director, Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Prof. Dr. Swakkhar Shatabda, Director, Data Science; Dr. Abu Saleh Md. Sohel-Uz-Zaman, Director, MBA programme; Mr. Abu Sadat Md. Mostansirbilla, Director, Public Relations and Mr. Nazmul Hasan Chowdhury, Joint Director, Admission section, UIU were the distinguished guests who graced the occasion with their presence.
Emeritus Professor Dr. M. Rezwan Khan and Professor Dr. Abul Kashem Mia emphasized the importance of developing collaborations between academic institutions and professional associations in the areas of advocacy, training, and research on media and communication. The MoU was signed with the aim of fully utilizing the potential of both organizations through cooperative research and content development to combat the misinformation spread by digital and social media. This will also create internship opportunities for the UIU students at SACMID. Other speakers also reinforced the importance of corporate and academic engagement in media for fostering the dynamics of media education. They hoped that the collaboration would help to shape the media landscape in the future.
The SACMID representatives had an amazing time at the signing ceremony. Dr. Sheikh Shafiul Islam, Head of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) showed great hospitality to the SACMID team. The SACMID team also visited the computer lab, and PCR lab of MSJ department of UIU.
The alliance promises to bring in a new era of innovation, research, and academic achievements in the fields of media studies at UIU, which brought the signing ceremony to a successful conclusion.