COMETIC 2024: Grand Opening and Official Launch at ISTAC-IIUM

By, Aqmar Khan

KUALA LUMPUR, 16th October 2024: The prestigious Communication and Media Centre International Conference (COMETIC) 2024 was opened by Advisor to IIUM’s Communication and Media Centre (COMET), Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid, who extended a warm welcome to all attendees. COMETIC 2024 was held from 16 to 17 October 2024 at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM), gathering leading experts and distinguished figures from the communication and media fields.

In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid acknowledged the presence of notable guests.

The international conference, themed “Communication and Media Pause: Reflecting Values and Impact” featured three distinguished keynote speakers. These included Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar; President of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), Prof. Daya Kishan Thussu; Board Member of the Hawaii-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and former Professor at University Science Malaysia (USM), Dr. Ronnie Adhikarya.

In addition to the keynote addresses, two panel sessions were held focusing on leadership in the media industry and crisis communication dilemmas. Over the course of the two-day event, 53 papers were presented, offering participants a broad spectrum of insights on communication and media trends.

“I would like to express again my gratitude of your presence,” Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi expressed his appreciation to all attendees, wishing them an enriching and engaging experience throughout the conference.

Following the welcoming remarks by Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi, COMETIC 2024 was officially launched by the Deputy Dean (Academic & Internationalisation) of AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS), Assoc. Prof. Datin Dr. Aini Maznina A. Manaf on behalf of the Dean of AHAS KIRKHS, Prof. Dr. Shukran Abd. Rahman. Prof. Datin Dr. Aini Maznina delivered an impactful opening speech to mark the commencement of the prestigious international conference.

She warmly welcomed the participants and presenters to the international conference and highlighted the importance of reflecting on how media shapes public discourse and values, as well as its broader impact on society.

COMETIC 2024 also upholds the significant role of AHAS KIRKHS in promoting education that integrates scientific knowledge with Islamic principles, particularly in the field of communication and media development. “At AHAS KIRKHS, we aim to foster critical thinking and instil a sense of responsibility in our students, scholars, and practitioners,” she noted.

Additionally, the Deputy Dean stressed that the conference theme reflects the need to balance innovation with ethical responsibility. She added, “The media industry is facing unprecedented transformation, and it is vital that leaders in this field remain committed to values such as truth, integrity, and inclusivity.”

Assoc. Prof. Datin Dr. Aini Maznina also took the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of COMET in organising the event, bringing together diverse experts, scholars, and industry leaders to share insights and navigate the evolving media landscape.

She concluded her speech by expressing her gratitude to all participants and expressed confidence that COMETIC 2024 will provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration on the media landscape today. “May this conference inspire us all to pause, reflect, and commit to a media landscape that upholds values,” she mentioned.

COMETIC 2024 was organised by the Department of Communication AHAS KIRKHS, attended by academics from local universities and abroad, communication practitioners and students with some representing various societies, including IIUMTODAY, IIUMTV, IIUM.FM, and IPRMSA.***