Final Year, Final Words

The first day of college is still a fresh memory in my mind. The nervousness, mixed emotions and full of expectations! I walked in through Block 7 of DIAC, not knowing my way around, and hoping to find some familiar face. Luckily for me, I happened to over hear someone say ‘Media 3^rd floor’.

Finding the classroom was easy… A class full of students, with nervous looks on their faces. Compared to the other classes which were loud and noisy, our class was quieter, except for a few who knew each other from school.

Three years have gone by since then. A journey filled with ups and downs. In these three years I found friends, I lost friends, all a part of life. Things which in school we took 10 – 12 years to accomplish, we were able to do so in matter of three years.

In the first semester each one of us were getting to know the other person, wondering who will be there with them till college ends and even after. As time passed by, our own small separate groups were formed, and went on with our daily routine. It is not necessary for people you start off your college life, to be with you till the end. During this time people change, at least I personally know that I have changed; for better or for worse, I guess it is still for me to find out.

I still remember how nervous I was on the first day, wondering how I was to going to get accustomed to a huge class of 70 – 75 students.

I’m extremely glad to have had such great faculty members who taught and got me this far and friends who has been a wonderful support all the way long. I’m happy that I was able to do justice to both my parents and the faculty.

Will miss all my classmates and these days will be treasured. Wishing all of them the very best in all their endeavors they choose to continue to follow their dreams.

Thank you for the wonderful three years!

‘Think and Drive’ Campaign

A ‘Think and Drive’ campaign for road distractions was organized by the Advertising and Public Relations specialization of the Media Department at Manipal University, Dubai on 10^th April 2012. This campaign was conducted by the Traffic Awareness Section of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The guest speaker for the event Ms. Amal Yousef from the Traffic Department of the RTA spoke to the students of the various types of distractions one is faced while driving. These distractions were of three types; Visual distractions (eyes off the road), Cognitive distractions (mind off the road) and the Physical distractions (hands off the steering wheel).

Ms. Yousef spoke in detail about the various top distractions that a driver comes across on a daily basis. Along with this she also discussed the various potential consequences which often lead to accidents on the road. Though one may be careful while driving and can handle about 90% of the situation, Ms. Yousef says, “Expect the unexpected”. As an advice to the young drivers, Ms. Yousef says, “Never keep anything on your mind and it is all about one self, how we control, plan in advance and focus while you drive.”

Lastly she also mentions that the more challenge one faces, the better driver one becomes.

Advertising Seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility

The third year Media and Communications students specializing in Advertising, Public Relations and Event management conducted a seminar on ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ on 22 December 2011. Through this seminar, the main objective was to educate the students on what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was all about.

The guest speaker for seminar was Ms. Sandhya Sundaran who focused and spoke about the effect of CSR on the environment and why a company adopts CSR. Along with these topics, Ms. Sundaran also focused on the pros and cons of CSR, the reason why CSR is done. She mentions that CSR is done for the welfare of the people and highlighting the various environmental issues which are faced today.

The students showed interest and asked Ms. Sundaran questions during the seminar making it a very interactive seminar.

Movember: Creating awareness about men’s health one mustache at a time

October was a month dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness among individuals and sharing stories of survivors. A week into November and yet another major event ‘Movember’ takes place throughout this month in order to raise awareness on Prostrate cancer; a type of cancer which affects the prostate gland in men and afflicts one in seven males. With ‘Pinktober’ dedicated to a majority of women, ‘Movember’ is a month dedicated to men.

The word Movember is derived from the combination of ‘mo’ for moustache and ‘vember’ for November. Men around the world unite in this month with a common intention; refusal to shave off their upper lip, the resulting growth indicates ones personal symbol for the war against prostate cancer. The main aim of this event is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health, and to spread the awareness every year.

Movember is observed in United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada and several other countries.

Wasiq Siddiqui, a final year accounting student at Waterloo University, Canada is observing Movember for the first time with his friends.

“I’m determined to raise awareness regarding prostate cancer and men’s health in general. We are collecting donations throughout this month and all funds we raise directly go to the Prostate Cancer Canada and the Movember Foundation.” he said.

Each country has its selected cancer funds where the money raised throughout this month is used in the prostate cancer research. Women can show their support too by being a ‘Mo Sista’ and spread awareness among their fellow friends while collecting donations.

Our blog too, has sported a large stache to create awareness about the cause.

Students encouraged to participate

Men who take part in this event should start the month either with a clean – shaven face and for the rest of the month should groom, trim and wax in order to have a fine mustache.

Afif Ibrahim, a final year advertising student at Manipal University, Dubai said, “I really don’t know much about Movember as it isn’t observed here, but I’m ready to increase the awareness about this concept here in Dubai”.

Like him, are you ready to join hands and become a Mo Bro or Mo Sis?

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Documenting the lives of ‘Children of God’

Children are the essence of purity. Untouched by many human discrepancies, their virginal spirits spreads an aura of happiness to others who surround them. Fokiya Akthar, a professor in the Media and Communications department of Manipal University and a proficient documentary film-maker talks about her latest quest for realism, ‘Children of God’; a film based on lives of children with special needs in Dubai.

Realistic and moving, two words that adjectively sum up the heart of this movie. Initially titled as “We are all just people”, the name was altered to its final title at the editing stage.

“My approach to the film was to touch upon the reality in these children’s lives. Movies that have addressed similar issues in the past left the audience with sympathy alone, missing out on what one can learn from the children’s spirit for life” she says.

Ms. Akthar’s inspiration was innate and her curiosity in documenting the lives of the weaker sections in the society mainly women and children are apparent in every scene. Miniscule detailing separates ‘Children of God’ from other documentaries that have touched the same subject. “In the film, I decided to have no voiceover, so I would not be tempted to focus on one perspective alone. Each shot is therefore self-explanatory.”

When asked if there was any particular moment or incident that stirred any particular emotion, she remembered Priyanka’s (one of the kids) story touched her.

“She is always so dolled up, her personality is so vulnerable, and she looks at someone and instantly falls in love with them. Being a woman; I know her dream of awaiting a fairytale” Ms. Akthar says.

“While I was working on the movie I realized how we are the ones who are political and corrupt. All these children want is to enjoy life; we are the ones who are abnormal; not them.”

Production was her toughest challenge. Sorting permissions was not all fun, but the welcoming families of these children made it an extraordinary experience. In fact not all went as it was planned; the original story line revolved four children, but as the story evolved the other’s presence in the movie became inevitable.

In terms of drawbacks, Ms. Akthar pointed out that children with special needs in Dubai suffer from expensive education. “Their life is good here, but education is very expensive. Most of the families cannot afford it. Major organizations that are here also cannot offer the children an affordable life.”

Her journey through the film was life changing, “I thank God everyday for what he has given me. I pray that the children’s parents always find the courage to deal with their pain.”

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A rapid fire round with Ms. Fokiya Akthar:

HM: One cause you are passionate about?

FA: Women and Children

HM: Your dream project?

FA: One commercial film

HM: Describe your life as a producer in three adjectives?

FA: Challenging, interesting and giving

HM: Camera is_____

FA: Eye of your inner self

To view pictures, click on this link: