RAWALPINDI, Feb 06 (APP): The 7th FJWU–MCAP Doctoral Spring School-2026 concluded with a remarkable certificate distribution ceremony held at Gymkhana Club Rawalpindi. The internationalization-driven nine-day intensive academic event, hosted by Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) in collaboration with ORIC FJWU and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), followed the prestigious European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA) model and adopted a strongly student-centred approach. Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for …
FJWU’s Doctoral Spring School ends with landmark distinction
RAWALPINDI, Feb 06 (APP): The 7th FJWU–MCAP Doctoral Spring School-2026 concluded with a remarkable certificate distribution ceremony held at Gymkhana Club Rawalpindi.
The internationalization-driven nine-day intensive academic event, hosted by Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) in collaboration with ORIC FJWU and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), followed the prestigious European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA) model and adopted a strongly student-centred approach.
Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, as chief guest delivered the keynote address. While lauding the initiative by FJWU in conducting the summer school, he urged the university to hold such events regularly to nurture research talent and promote academic excellence.
He also extended warm congratulations to the participants, particularly the international scholars, for their dedication and active engagement throughout the programme.
Vice Chancellor FJWU, Professor Dr. Bushra Mirza shed light on the intense deliberations and academic rigor that marked the various sessions of the spring school. She highlighted how the initiative aligned with the university’s vision of internationalization, inclusive research environments, and enhanced global exposure especially for women scholars. Dr. Bushra emphasized the inter- disciplinary collaboration viz a viz academia-industry linkages.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the recent signing of Letters of Intent with the University of Cairo, Egypt, and the University of Augsburg, Germany, to foster joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and long-term cooperation, along with plans to appoint international faculty as adjunct members at FJWU.
Fahad Hussain, a prominent journalist in his address and highlighted the multifaceted challenges confronting journalism today. He stressed the critical need to rebuild trust between media practitioners and media users through ethical practices, transparency, and greater accountability.
Another distinguished journalist, Faeza Daud, spoke about the importance of strong collaboration between academia and industry. She underscored how such partnerships can bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, ultimately strengthening media education and professional standards in Pakistan.
The visiting dignitary from Charles University Prague, Dr. Nico Carpentier during his address shared his enriching experiences from the summer school and paid rich tribute to the FJWU faculty for their meticulous organization, warm hospitality, and commitment to fostering meaningful scholarly dialogue.
He appreciated the diverse perspectives brought together through international collaboration and the programme’s focus on decolonized knowledge production rooted in local socio-political and cultural realities.
He praised Dr. Bushra Hameed ur Rehman, President MCAP for her central role in shaping the summer school to an integrated studies. He highlighted, in particular the role played by Dr. Saadia Nauman, Astt Professor and Focal Person, Doctoral School FJWU.
Dr. Pille Vengerfeldt from Sweden, Dr. Jason Gainous from the USA, Dr. Fatma Elzahraa Elsayed from Egypt and Dr. Jeffrey Wimmer from Germany were also among international delegates who shared their scholastic experiences, along with distinguished Pakistani faculty members and doctoral students, during the Doctoral Spring School, organized under the banner of the Media and Communication Academic Professionals (MCAP).
The initiative envisioned by Dr. Bushra Mirza reinforced the blend of global and national expertise to a shared commitment to advancing doctoral research culture, methodology and intellectual autonomy in Media and Communication Studies. The nine day activities provided PhD candidates and MPhil scholars with tailored mentorship, workshops, lectures, panel discussions, seminars, structured project feedback sessions, and visits to media organizations.
The international faculty from Germany, Sweden and England has shown interest in joining FJWU as adjunct faculty, which reflects the FJWU as a potential academic research and development platform for the global media partners.
Participants received certificates in recognition of their successful completion of the programme, which not only equipped them with dynamic research methodologies but also positioned the initiative as a flagship effort of FJWU in building sustained institutional networks.
