Richard J Roth, senior associate dean for Journalism Programme, Northwestern University–Qatar (left), and Mimi White, senior associate dean, School of Communication.Shaival Dalal

DOHA: The Northwestern University-Qatar (NU-Q) will act as a catalyst for change in Qatar’s media world. The institution will help in preparing Qatar’s young generation to engage in the vital world of global media and communication, said two top faculty members of NU-Q.

Richard J Roth, Senior Associate Dean for Journalism Programme, and Mimi White, Senior Associate Dean for Communication Programme, were talking to The Peninsula on the eve of today’s formal inauguration of NU-Q here yesterday.

The Gulf region, especially Qatar, is emerging as a leader in journalism, communication and entertainment sectors. Qatar really wants to make its voice heard in the world and NU-Q is ready to contribute to help in that mission, they said.

“Northwestern has a tradition of contributing to the community. That’s what we are doing here. Qatar has to realise the potential of real journalism. We will bring the exciting world of journalism and communication with their support”, Roth said.

The world of media is fast changing and Qatar cannot shy away from it. The newspapers in the US are not the same as they were 15 years ago. Like elsewhere, people in Qatar too are hungry for information. They have more interest in the news around the world.

On the professionalism in Qatar’s media, Roth said: “ It is the readers to judge a newspaper. Of course, the papers in Qatar are giving a lot of information, which is their primary task. But they have to improve a lot, both in style and content,” he said.

Qatar is the first foreign destination of the prestigious American University. When asked “Why Doha first?”, Roth said: “ We were invited to open a branch campus by the Qatar Foundation into two critical areas of journalism and communication. The university is set to move more and more beyond the boundaries. We find the opportunity in Qatar very exciting and challenging”.

White said communication and entertainment sectors are other key emerging areas in Qatar. Of late, the country has emerged as a major happening place. Qatar really wants to produce top class professionals in communication. Implementation of media technology in news and entertainment segments is the key areas that NU-Q’s School of Communication offer training in, she said.

Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism offers a programme in journalism, media and integrated marketing communications. The university’s School of Communication is offering programme in media industries and technologies.