Under patronage of Prof. Nancy Al-Hefnawy, Acting Dean of Faculty of Computer and Information, and in the presence of Dr. Osama Ghonaim, Acting Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, the Faculty hosted a symposium on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, titled, “The Impact of Social Media on National Security”. The event was organized in cooperation with the Gharbia Media Complex of the State Information Service.
The symposium featured a lecture by Prof. Ateyya Maraq, Professor in the Department of Media at Faculty of Arts, and was moderated by media professionals: Mr. Hazem Abdul Samad, Dr. Shaimaa Agha, and Mr. Al-Sayyed Al-Gharbawy.
The symposium began with a welcoming speech by Prof. Nancy Al-Hefnawy, who expressed her appreciation for the guests’ participation and their role in sharing expertise with the younger generation. She also extended a special greeting to the students, emphasizing that their attendance reflects a strong awareness of the importance of self-development and engagement with contemporary issues.
The session was led by Mr. Hazem Abdul Samad, who reviewed the history of the State Information Service, describing it as the official media and public relations body of the state. He highlighted its development and its role in shaping public awareness and communicating official policies both domestically and internationally.
During her speech, Dr. Shaimaa Agha emphasized that the real battle extends beyond geographical borders to the minds of students. She explained that critical thinking and analytical skills serve as a strong defense against rumors and extremist ideologies. She also warned that distracting students with trends and superficial conflicts is a deliberate attempt to turn them from active thinkers into passive consumers of content.
The symposium aimed to analyze the role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion, highlight the risks of digital media and information warfare, and promote societal awareness as the first line of defense against digital threats.
3/12/2026