Importance of Arts and Media Sciences, Insights from the Expert Media Professional Foundation University Islamabad: Radio Interview

On 28th November 2023, Dr. Hina Shahid, Head of the Department (HOD) of Arts and Media, Foundation University Islamabad, Expert on the Eurasian Region, Advisor on BRI and Member Board of Experts, PRCCSF was invited to the program ‘Dialogue with Experts, hosted by Zaildar Ahsan Shah, Vice Chairman, Board of Experts, PRCCSF at FM 101, Radio Pakistan. During the interview, the host Zaildar Ahsan Shah asked Dr. Hina Shahid about her educational background and career journey. Dr. Hina answered that she has done double masters in English language and linguistics and International Relations. Then I did MPhil in Peace and Conflict Studies from National Defense University. I did my PHD in School of Politics and International Relations from Quaid-e-Azam University.
Mr. Zaildar asked Dr. Hina to explain about the Foundation University Islamabad. How does the university system work i.e. the departments, faculty, and courses? Dr. Hina said that the Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), a project of Fauji Foundation, was established under a Federal Charter in October 2002. The University has been rated as category 'W4' (the highest rating category) by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The academic programmes offered by FUI are duly accredited by Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC), National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC), National Technology Council (NTC) and Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC).
She also told that, the strength of FUI lies in its highly qualified and experienced faculty and well-designed academic programs, supported by state-of-the-art academic facilities such as fully equipped labs, libraries, lecture halls, video conferencing facilities, digital library, medical laboratories, auditorium and seminar halls, etc. FUI has also established a Media House, an FM Channel 101.8 and a Psychology Clinic.
Furthermore, counseling and career guidance is available for students along with substantial opportunities for participation in various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, to turn them into well-rounded personalities. Additionally, the University strongly emphasizes on character building and instilling ethical values in students. Financial Assistance in the form of scholarships is available to deserving, underprivileged but outstanding students. The university has also established Alumni Association which provides a platform for graduating students to interact, inspire and benefit from the Alumni of the University.
While discussing about the structure of the university Dr. Hina said that the Foundation University is divided into 2 campuses: Foundation University School of Science and Technology (FUSST) and Foundation University School of Health Sciences (FUSH).
Foundation University Rawalpindi Campus provides education in Arts and Social Sciences, Engineering, IT and Management Sciences from bachelor's to doctoral level. The faculties of Rawalpindi Campus are members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers (SPELT) and International Association for Media and Communication (IAMCR).
FUSST consists of 3 faculties that are Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and IT and Faculty of Management Sciences. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is headed by me, she said. We give trainings to the students about media, computer arts, graphic designing, animations 2D and 3D, mass communication, TV and Film production etc. The Foundation University is the only university that offers Master’s degree in Computer Arts. We make children learn skills and practically implement those skills in-house. Our focus is on developing practical experience of the students so that it becomes easier for them to perform in a better way in the future.
Foundation University Islamabad Campus consists of the University Secretariat, Foundation University Medical College (FUMC), Foundation University College of Dentistry & Hospital (FUCD&H), Foundation University Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences (FUIRS), Foundation University College of Nursing (FUCN) and Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH) which is a teaching hospital for FUMC, FUCN and FUIRS.
The host then asked about the role of media as a stakeholder for a country and what are the powerful forms of media like electronic, digital and new media? Dr. Hina replied that Media is no doubt a powerful diplomatic tool at national and International levels. It is our responsibility to educate our people about Media Ethics and how it impacts international relations. Then she talked about real war and media war. Media can play both positive and negative roles in international relations. It can be a tool for misunderstanding a piece of information, fabricating stories, propagating false news, and propaganda against any individual or organization. She used the term Conflict Sensitive Journalism which is a concept in Media and International relations that talks about the sentiments targeted through media and journalism.
At the end of the interview, Host Zaildar Ahsan Shah thanked Dr. Hina Shahid for a very thoughtful conversation. Dr. Hina Shahid gave a message to the listeners that hard work is the key to success and there is no shortcut to hard work. In order to achieve your goal, you need to work harder. In order to promote Pakistan’s image, we need to work positively.