Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University, took part in the 11th Edition of the Arab Media Forum 2012, which was held under the Patronage and in the Presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Also present were His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Maryam bin Fahad, Executive Director of the Dubai Press Club, and other members of the Dubai Press Club,  journalists and media professionals.

The 11th edition of the Arab Media Forum 2012 opened with a message stressing on the crucial matters that the media landscape in the region is facing today.

Dr. Al Jassim’s speech emphasized on the importance of building a knowledge- based society centered on high quality education and community development, in the UAE and the Arab World as a whole, stressing on the vital role that media plays in the this development today. He highlighted the fact that media is constantly witnessing rapid and continuous change and that the rising generations and leaders of tomorrow are adopting and mastering the art of the all-new social and electronic media, all of which should be directed towards the advancement of the Arab World.

He said: “The question of development remains at the center of the Arab world and involves institutions at levels including governmental and educational. We need to ask: has the media taken up to the challenge of development? Was the media up to the events that have passed? Has the media helped push the wheels of development or was it burdened in its reactions and stayed behind?"

Dr. Al Jassim then introduced the keynote address by the renowned scientist Dr. Farouk Al Baz, Director of the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University. Dr. Al Jassim also moderated a discussion panel with Dr. Al Baz that stressed on the significance of media in the advancement and development of the Arab World.