Thesis Defence at Ajman University College of Mass Communication Highlights Interesting Research with Deep Societal Impact

Ajman University’s College of Mass Communications hosted thesis defence sessions for students of its Master of Public Relations and Corporate Communications program on May 25, 2023. Four students defended their thesis on contemporary topics of deep societal and economic impact such as Sustainability Communications, digital communications for government organizations, gender equality in the Public Relations (PR) Industry, and corporate social responsibility communications.

All the four thesis presentations brought out interesting perspectives and unexplored facets of research in the respective topics, highlighting the meticulousness and rigour with which the students and their supervisors approached their thesis.

Sustainability Communications

Salem Mohammed Al Shaeibi’s thesis topic was ‘Enhancing Sustainability Communication: A Study of University Students' Awareness, Attitudes, Motivations, and Barriers.’

The research highlighted the level of awareness, attitudes, and motivations towards sustainability, as well as the barriers that exist. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of effective sustainability communication and the need to address the unique needs of students when designing sustainable communities, reflecting current developments in the industry focused on fostering sustainable lifestyles and creating environmentally conscious societies.

Salem was supervised in his research by Dr. Samar Ben Romdhane, Assistant Professor, College of Mass Communication, while Dr. Mokhtar Al Aerishi served as the External Examiner.

Effective Digital Communications for Government Organizations

Aysha Alkaabi’s thesis focussed on the exploration of Sharjah Government Media Bureau's social media strategies and how it contributes to growing Sharjah's soft power. It offered a deeper understanding of the role of social media in shaping international perceptions and highlighted the importance of effective digital communication strategies for government organizations seeking to enhance their soft power in the modern era.

Aysha was supervised by Dr. Samar, while Dr. Mustafa Taha from the American University of Sharjah was the External Examiner.

Gender Equality in Public Relations

Rayah Hamad Saeed Hamad Alsereidi in her thesis, surveyed PR practitioners and examined gender disparities and differences in perception between male and female PR practitioners. Her study shed light on the current state of gender equality in the industry. Her research contributes to a better understanding of gender equality among UAE PR professionals and offers recommendations for fostering further progress in achieving gender equality.

Raya was supervised by Dr. Sang Lee, while Dr. Maha Bashri from UAE University was the External Examiner.

CSR Communications in Hotel Industry

Ibrahim Abdulghafor Mohamad Hussein’s thesis focussed on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communication in the hotel industry.

The research investigated multinational hotel chains' communication strategies with regard to their CSR initiatives, revealing common priorities and varying levels of commitment to specific CSR aspects. The findings emphasize the prevalent use of expositive communication tactics, such as incorporating CSR into corporate values and publishing sustainability reports, while identifying a need for more interactive approaches, such as virtual tours and interactive maps, to enhance stakeholder engagement and trust.

Ibrahim was supervised by Dr. Samar, while Mokhtar H Mohamed Elareshi was the External Examiner.

Congratulations to all four students on defending their thesis and demonstrating an advanced understanding of complex public relations and corporate communication topics.

All the students had the privilege of working collaboratively with a dedicated internal thesis committee consisting of Prof. Sang Lee and Dr. Samar Ben Romdhane. This collaborative effort exemplifies the supportive and nurturing environment of the graduate program in Public Relations and Corporate communication, allowing for an enriching research experience. Externals played a crucial role providing valuable insights and expertise to further enhance the quality of the thesis.