By: Sara Sherif

Women’s Research Center at Faculty of Mass Communication Celebrates Pioneering Female Models in "Inspiring Mothers Making an Impact" Seminar

The ceremony included a deeply moving humanitarian segment, featuring a series of videos prepared by the faculty`s students for several faculty members and teaching assistants. These videos carried direct messages to the honored professors, expressing sincere love and appreciation through words of thanks and gratitude. This touch of loyalty embodied the strong human bond between the honorees and their students, affirming their worthiness of this recognition as inspiring mothers and makers of a true impact on an entire generation of media professionals.

In a speech filled with warmth, Prof. Najwa Kamel, former Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development and former Director of the Women’s Research Center, expressed her gratitude for the recognition. She thanked Prof. Wessam Nasr, Dean of the Faculty, and Dr. Nermin Ajwa, the current Director of the Center, for this honor.

Prof. Najwa Kamel expressed her happiness that the recognition came specifically from her faculty, saying: "I am happy because I left an impact worthy of recognition; motherhood does not wait for an award."

She further explained her vision of a female professor`s role, noting that her impact is evident through the support, guidance, and problem-solving she provides—much like a mother does at home—and by facilitating matters for others. She added that a professor must serve as a role model, proving that a woman can brilliantly balance academic duties with the humanitarian responsibilities of her personal life.

This was followed by a speech from Prof. Ibtisam El-Gendi, Professor in the Department of Radio and Television, former Head of the English Department, and Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication at October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA). She began by expressing her immense joy and gratitude, praising the clear effort and kind initiative of the Women’s Research Center and the faculty.

Prof. Ibtisam El-Gendi stated: "It is my pleasure to be among these inspiring mothers today. Everything I have achieved was driven by love, especially during my tenure as Head of the English Department; I feel proud of my sons and daughters—the students and graduates of the early batches—and the tangible achievements they have made."

She emphasized the professor`s mission, adding: "An educator`s value lies in being a role model with the ability to innovate and generate ideas. Students do not just receive knowledge from them; they learn from their personality and acquire the art of managing life. A university professor is a model who plants values and behaviors in the souls of their students. This was my true guiding light: to teach students as my own children, approaching them and helping them solve their problems."

She concluded: "I received a good education and acquired skills in quick thinking, confrontation, and teamwork, all of which reflected on my students. My true happiness lies in the fact that my students consider me their role model, and in my certainty that I have left a lasting impact within them."

Next was the speech of Prof. Kariman Farid, Professor in the Department of Public Relations and Advertising, former Head of the Public Relations Department at the Modern University, and former Coordinator of the Postgraduate Program at the faculty. She began by thanking the faculty and the center for this generous gesture.

Prof. Kariman Farid said: "I thank you for this honor, and I would like to offer a word inspired by the seminar`s title, `Inspiring Mothers.` Through my life experience, I learned many principles from my own mother and was keen to plant them in my children, as well as in my sons and daughters among the students—principles such as love, loyalty, responsibility, giving, and altruism."

She highlighted her educational role in the classroom, adding: "During my lectures, I am always keen to instill a love for the homeland alongside the knowledge I transmit, focusing on the importance of achievements for new generations. All the knowledge and work we have created is the `lasting impact` for which we hope to be rewarded by God."

She concluded with advice for the younger generation: "I advise all my children to be sincere in their work. I have always been keen on sincerity and deliberation; if any of you does a job, you must master it. My advice to the new generation: it is natural to face hardships in life; you must strive and confront despair and difficulties. Loving the homeland and working for it is of the utmost importance. This honor is a very beautiful gesture from the Center and the Faculty."