RIYADH: King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah launched a Digital Communication Conference on Tuesday with the theme “Communication: Media and Beyond,” under the patronage of Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz.
The three-day event convenes more than 140 researchers, policymakers and industry leaders from 56 universities, other institutions and professional organizations from 13 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A highlight was the inaugural session, “Government Communication in Crises,” led by Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, assistant minister of health and the ministry’s official spokesperson.
Drawing on the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 pandemic response, he emphasized the critical role of transparent, timely communication to guide public opinion, counter misinformation, and build societal trust through verified data and audience-tailored messaging.
He detailed strategies such as pre-emptive rumor management, multi-platform engagement via press conferences, social media and government apps, and the importance of simplifying technical information for diverse demographics.
The conference features 13 sessions, with an exhibition titled “Journey of Impact” that displays digital communication milestones, advisory meetings, a postgraduate research march and interactive workshops.
Topics span cutting-edge trends, including content creation driven by artificial intelligence, user experience design for immersive digital platforms, podcast production techniques, and advanced data analytics for public opinion mapping.
Dr. Tareef Al-Aama, the president of KAU, highlighted the university’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure and global partnerships to advance sustainable development.
He said that KAU initiatives, including smart campus projects and collaborations between industry and academia, empower students to lead in fields critical to Vision 2030, such as AI, cybersecurity and media technology.
He noted KAU’s role in community-driven projects, including digital literacy campaigns and tech incubators supporting Saudi youth.
Ayman Bajnaid, dean of the College of Communication and Media, framed the conference as a transformative platform for redefining media education globally.
He added that there is a demand for professionals adept at merging technological agility with ethical responsibility, and that this event bridges theoretical knowledge and practical innovation to support graduates.
Strategic partnerships with global tech companies, media outlets, and government bodies underpin KAU’s impact initiative, which seeks to cultivate a generation of innovators capable of addressing challenges such as digital disinformation and cybersecurity threats.
