On Thursday, 8 Rabi` Al-Thani, 1441 A.H., within the programs of the Committee of Cultural and Sports Activities at the College of Social Sciences at Umm Al-Qura University, the College of Social Sciences held a training course entitled, (The Department of Public Relations and Media in Institutions), for university students. The course was presented by His Excellency Mr. Zuhair Ja`far Hawsawi, teaching assistant in the Department of Media, in the specialization of public relations, in the presence of a number of college staff and university students.

The course included basic concepts in the topic of the Department of Public Relations and Media in institutions, starting with Mr. Zuhair Hawsawi clarifying the concept of the department and its specialized aspects, with regard to its scientific levels and its main elements.

Then he touched on the topic of public relations in terms of its scientific concepts and definitions, as well as the planning and organization process in public relations. He also referred in this regard to the importance of public relations in the institution or social environment as being clear guidance for the masses of the institution.

Mr. Zuhair resumed the course by addressing the topic of media, clarifying its definition, concept, and importance. He relied on a saying by Dr. Ibrahim Imam that shows the importance of the media. He said that the flow of media in society is like the flow of blood in the arteries, and when the media flow stops, the blood dries in the arteries of society.

He also added a simple explanation of social media applications and accounts, and how to archive these accounts, using a model to clarify the procedures to the audience. He talked about the importance of this aspect, saying that archiving of accounts is one of the important steps for the institution after documenting its programs. This is to know the status of the changes that occur through the accounts, and its interaction with the masses.

This course witnessed a great interaction by the attendees. Videos were shown that supported the topics of the course, and there were many contributions, suggestions, and enquiries from the attendees.

Mr. Zuhair Hawsawi concluded with a topic entitled, "The Future of the Media Department at Umm Al-Qura University", which aimed at giving a future guiding plan for the attendees which instructs the students how to progress in the right direction until they reach the desired goal.