As part of the commitment of the university to promoting social and digital awareness among students, Faculty of Computer and Information, in cooperation with the State Information Service, organized an awareness symposium entitled “Raising Awareness to Counter Rumors and Misinformation” on Wednesday, October 21st, 2026. The symposium was held under patronage of Prof. Mohammed Hussain, President of Tanta University, and Prof. Nancy Al-Hefnawy, Dean of the Faculty.
   The symposium was attended by Dr. Osama Ghonaim, Acting Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Ahmed Hussain, Head of the Media Department at Faculty of Specific Education, Mansoura University, with the participation of representatives from the Gharbia Media Administration: Ms. Shaimaa Mazrou’, Ms. Nayyera Al-Kashef, and Ms. Hasnaa Abdul Samad.
   For her part, Prof. Nancy Al-Hefnawy opened the symposium with a welcoming address, expressing her appreciation to Prof. Ahmed Hussain for accepting the invitation and taking part in the event. She also welcomed the representatives of the Gharbia Media Center and the State Information Service, commending their fruitful cooperation in raising awareness and promoting media literacy among students.
   In addition, she emphasized that the mission of the faculty extends beyond providing technical education to include developing students’ digital awareness. She highlighted the importance of equipping young people with critical thinking and information-verification skills amid rapid technological advancement and the accelerating flow of content across digital platforms. These skills, she noted, are essential for countering rumors and misinformation and maintaining social stability.
   During the symposium, Prof. Ahmed Hussain discussed the reasons behind the spread of rumors, explaining that the lack of reliable information and the ease of sharing content through social media platforms create favorable conditions for their circulation. He also outlined the key characteristics of rumors, including the absence of credible sources or reliance on unidentified entities, and reviewed their different types and their impact on individuals’ and society’s awareness.
   At the conclusion of the symposium, the speaker and attendees stressed the importance of accuracy and credibility, urging students not to be misled by circulating news before verifying its authenticity and sources. Such practices contribute to building a more informed generation capable of distinguishing between accurate information and misinformation.

11/8/2026