Communication Day marked in Salalah

Several presentations by the young media professionals marked the open day at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Salalah Sunday.

The presentations featured student-produced visual projects—ranging from digital to journalistic works on the occasion of ‘Communication Day’ organised by the Mass Communication Department of the UTAS Salalah.

These works reflected the students’ growing expertise in media production and digital content creation. Several success-story videos were also screened, featuring award-winning projects at local and national levels.

Organised under the auspices of Dr Mohammed bin Saeed al Sha'sha'i, Director General of Information in Dhofar, the event evoked participation from students, faculty, and representatives of media and community institutions.

The annual event aimed to spotlight academic specialisations, highlight achievements, and celebrate the success stories of students and graduates.

Present on the occasion were Dr. Ahmed Ali al Shahri. Assistant Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Majdi bin Mohammed Bait Ali Sulaiman, Deputy Assistant Vice-Chancellor (DAVC) for Academic Affairs; media professionals Salim bin Awadh al Najjar and communication academic Dr. Ahmed bin Ali al-Mashikhi.

Mehmet Tunc Mustecaplioglu, Area General Manager of Orascom Hotels Management, attended the event on behalf of Salalah Beach Hotels and expressed willingness to offer training and employment opportunities to the students.

“As part of community engagement, I see opportunities for both parties. It depends on the capabilities of both…how they take it forward and make a win-win situation,” he said.

In his comments, DAVC, Dr Majdi, said, ‘Mass Communication Day’ highlighted the university’s commitment to fostering student creativity and providing a learning environment that turns knowledge into practical media projects.

“Today’s presentations reflect our students’ academic and professional growth and the ability of our programmes to keep pace with modern media. The cooperation agreement signed with Salalah Beach Hotels is a clear step towards expanding academic, training, and employment opportunities for our students,” he said.

In his opening comments, Dr. Arafat bin Awadh al Jamil, Head of the Mass Communication Department, reviewed the department’s role in keeping pace with modern developments in various media fields, emphasizing the importance of integrating academic learning with practical training to prepare students for the job market.

“Mass Communication Day is a special occasion that celebrates our students’ achievements and their innovation,” he said.

He emphasised that the initiative reflects the department’s vision of enriching academic and practical learning while empowering students to participate effectively in the media sector.

A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion on the evolving media landscape in Oman, featuring media professional Salim bin Awadh al Najjar and communication academic Dr. Ahmed bin Ali al-Mashikhi.

The speakers examined developments in the Omani media labour market, ongoing sector transformations, and the practical skills required for future media professionals. Students engaged actively with the panelists, raising questions related to industry challenges, career growth, and professional readiness.