'I value the program's commitment to independent journalism'
DW Akademie: What are the key areas ULAB is focused on?
Dr. Jude William Genilo: The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) is a private university committed to nurturing socially responsible, critically engaged and globally aware graduates. Guided by a liberal arts philosophy, ULAB emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, ethical leadership, and civic engagement across all its degree programs.
ULAB offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as Communication and Media Studies, Business, Economics, English and Humanities, Bangla Language, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and Environmental and Life Sciences, with a strong emphasis on applied learning and community engagement. Research is a central pillar of the university, addressing national and global challenges through themes such as media and democracy, sustainability, development communication, digital transformation and social inclusion.
Sustainability is embedded institutionally through ULAB's Climate Action Policy, alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and research-led initiatives that promote environmental responsibility, social justice and ethical communication. The university seeks to produce graduates who are not only professionally competent, but also deeply committed to sustainable and inclusive development.
Which subjects do you teach?
I am a Professor of Communication, and my teaching spans both theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of the discipline. Over the years, I have taught courses such as:
- Communication Theory
- Communication Research
- Development Communication
- Mass Communication
- Public Relations
- Communication Management
Across these courses, I emphasize critical inquiry, ethical practice, media literacy, and the role of communication in social change, preparing students to engage meaningfully with complex media and development contexts. Of late, I am devoting more time to research mentoring of emerging scholars in media studies and journalism.
What is your research focus and what are you currently working on?
My research has consistently explored the intersection of communication, media, development and social responsibility. A review of my work over time shows a clear trajectory — from development communication and participatory media toward media education, quality assurance in higher education, digital transformation and communication ethics.
More recently, my work has focused on:
- Quality assurance and accreditation in communication and journalism education
- Media education and curriculum reform
- Artificial intelligence and non-polarizing communication
- Community-based and participatory communication models
Currently, I am working on a book project with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management titled SDG 18: Responsible Communication for a Sustainable Future, which examines how ethical, inclusive and non-polarizing communication can support peace, trust and sustainable development globally.
Can you share some highlights from the past three years of collaboration with DW Akademie?
The collaboration between ULAB and DW Akademie has been both meaningful and impactful. I have had the privilege of serving as a secondary thesis adviser for students in the Master's in International Media Studies (IMS) program, contributing to their academic and research development.
I was also awarded a one-month fellowship at IMS in Bonn, which allowed me to engage closely with the program's academic culture, faculty, administrators and students. In 2024, I attended the DW Global Media Forum, and I have participated in several DW Akademie webinars as a resource person, sharing perspectives from Bangladesh and the Global South.
Having experienced IMS from within, I deeply value the program's commitment to independent journalism, academic rigor and global media responsibility. The work being done by DW Akademie and IMS is making a tangible impact, and I am proud to be associated with this collaboration.
We interviewed Dr. Genilo for our Alumni Newsletter series in which we will be introducting our international academic partners.
