Tracy Baaklini, a promising double-diploma Master’s student at UA’s Faculty of Information and Communication (FIC), has been selected to participate in the prestigious COSIMENA (Cluster of Scientific Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa) Summer School 2023. The event titled “Cross-cultural Communication: How Can We Understand Each Other?” was held in Cairo, Egypt, and aimed to explore the challenges and best practices in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Tracy’s exceptional academic performance earned her a spot among 25 Master’s students representing 13 different nationalities, including Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Germany, India, and Kazakhstan. Her participation not only showcased her dedication but also proudly represented Lebanon and her University on an international platform.
Over the course of 8 days, Tracy immersed herself in a diverse range of activities, including talks, panel discussions, lectures, visits, and group work. The workshop focused on various aspects of cross-cultural communication, delving into sectors such as social and news media, film, arts, and tourism. The objective was to enhance knowledge exchange among researchers, foster international collaboration in scientific research, and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience to meet the demands of the job market.
The participants had the opportunity to engage with experts from Egypt, other Arab countries, and Germany, allowing them to gain new insights and broaden their perspectives. In addition, they received valuable training in innovative media production strategies and tools, such as multimedia storytelling, data visualization, animation, documentation, and podcasting.
Reflecting on her experience, Tracy expressed her gratitude to UA for providing her with the chance to participate in this transformative program. She encouraged fellow students to seize similar opportunities, stating: “It was a great opportunity for me to meet other researchers in my field from different cultures, to learn from them, and also to connect with new people and grow my network. In other words, it was an unforgettable experience.”
Tracy Baaklini’s outstanding performance at the COSIMENA Summer School exemplifies the academic excellence and global engagement of Lebanese students. Her participation not only contributes to fostering cross-cultural understanding but also highlights the potential of young talents in Lebanon’s academic landscape.
Disclaimer
The COSIMENA Summer School 2023 is organized by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Regional Office Cairo in cooperation with Freie Universität (FU) Berlin and Al-Ahram Canadian University (ACU) in Egypt.