ISLAMABAD: A session held under the Atom X Dialogue at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) brought media professionals and academics together to explore stronger ties between the two sectors. The meeting focused on one central goal: narrowing the distance between the media industry and educational institutions, so that students graduate with hands-on experience as well as a degree.
Heads of departments and faculty members from several IIUI disciplines attended. Representatives of Khyber Academy for Media Technologies, Kamtech, led a detailed discussion on what the media industry needs today, how students can be trained in practical skills, and how institutions and industry can communicate more effectively.
Kamtech Outlines Its Journey and Vision
Kiwan Hamid Raja, Executive Director of Khyber Network, CEO of Khyber Digital and founder of Kamtech, briefed participants on how Kamtech began and why it was set up. He also shared the vision of the Atom Council with the audience.
Participants also considered how university students could move beyond textbooks and theory. The talk centred on giving them direct exposure to broadcasting, media production and other practical fields, so they understand the demands of the working world by the time they complete their degrees.
Faculty Welcomes the Initiative
Dr. Inam ur Rehman, Head of the Media Department at IIUI, praised the effort. He said he hoped such steps would prove highly useful for students and open up better opportunities for them as they enter professional life.
Prof. Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at IIUI, described the Kamtech initiative as an urgent need of the time. He said partnerships of this kind would give students the chance to experience the real working environment of broadcasting and media.
Possible MoU Between Kamtech and IIUI
Speaking at the session, Kiwan Hamid Raja said the aim was to explore how the existing setup and resources of Kamtech and IIUI could be used jointly, and how new opportunities could be created for students.
Participants also discussed the possibility of formal cooperation between the two institutions in the future. One option on the table was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to turn joint plans into concrete action.
The collaboration is meant to give students practical training, industry exposure and opportunities in line with the needs of modern media, alongside their academic qualifications. Organisers say this would help close the gap between academia and the media industry in a lasting way.