The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) recently launched a journal featuring research articles and commentaries on the state of the media, media professions, media education, and other regional topics.

The Middle East Media Educator (MEME) aims "to bridge the gap between media educators and practitioners", according to Alma Kadragic, its editor and academic programme developer at UOWD.

The annual publication is modelled on Asia Pacific Media Educator which has been published at the University of Wollongong in Australia since 1996, and whose founding editor Dr Eric Loo has joined MEME's editorial advisory board and also contributed an article.

"MEME is the first such journal in the Middle East, and it will strive to encourage dialogue between industry and academe in a region where informed analysis of the media is not widespread,” said Kadragic.

“Educators struggle to find textbooks and case studies that are relevant to the unique situation in the Middle East because most teaching resources are developed in other parts of the world.”

Raymi van der Spek, executive director of Administration and Strategic Development at UOWD, said: “We are delighted to publish the inaugural issue of Middle East Media Educator because it will contribute to the discussion of media in the region.”

“As the first private university in the UAE and with our new Master’s program in media and communications, we are eager to be at the forefront of the development of media and media studies here.”

The launch issue has four sections: Role of Media in the Arab Spring, Developing Professional Communicators in the UAE, Education and Media and Conference Reports.

The next issue will be published by UOWD in August 2012, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service