In an atmosphere of joy, pride, and academic achievement, the Department of Media and Communication at Abdelhamid Ben Badis University in Mostaganem celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of students for the 2024/2025 academic year. The ceremony, held under the supervision of the department’s head, Dr. Larbi Bouamama, brought together faculty members, administrative staff, graduating students, and their families in a heartfelt tribute to educational perseverance and academic success.
This year’s graduating class was named in honor of the renowned Algerian journalist and intellectual, Abou El Kacem Mohamed El-Hafnaoui, a figure celebrated for his contributions to national memory, free expression, and the cultural identity of Algeria. El-Hafnaoui, a prominent thinker of the 19th century, played a crucial role in the reformist movement through his writings, most notably “Taʿrīf al-khalaf bi-rijāl al-salaf”, which documents the lives of Algeria’s scholars and literary figures. His active engagement in reformist journalism made him a key voice in raising cultural and religious awareness during the colonial era.
The decision to dedicate the cohort to El-Hafnaoui reflects the department’s commitment to bridging academic training with the commemoration of national and professional legacies. For over a decade, the department has maintained a tradition of naming each graduating class after a prominent figure in Algerian journalism, with previous honorees including Omar Rassim, Boualem Bessaïh, Zoheir Ihaddaden, Omar Benkaddour, and Sheikh Abu al-Yaqqadhan.
During his address, Dr. Bouamama congratulated the graduates and their families, commending their dedication and resilience throughout their academic journey. He emphasized that graduation marks not an end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter in the professional media landscape — one that requires awareness, commitment, and ethical responsibility. He also expressed gratitude to the faculty and administrative staff, with special recognition to student Mehraz Abdelwahab, who coordinated the ceremony alongside his peers, contributing significantly to the event’s success.
The ceremony also featured speeches by student representatives from various specializations. Ikram Bouasria, representing the Master’s program in Public Relations, noted that their university years shaped their personalities and redefined their understanding of media as a tool of societal responsibility rather than mere technical practice. Mehraz Abdelwahab, also from Public Relations, expressed deep appreciation to the department’s professors, describing the university as a space for self-discovery and critical thinking. From the Audiovisual specialization, Ghania Issa shared her passion for media, highlighting how the university workshops refined their practical skills and boosted their confidence for future professional endeavors.
An emotional highlight of the event was the recognition of top-performing students across disciplines, who shared personal reflections and heartfelt testimonies, warmly applauded by their proud families.
The presence of students from various provinces across the country added a national character to the graduating class, symbolizing the inclusive and diverse spirit of Abdelhamid Ben Badis University. As a key academic hub for media education in western Algeria, the university has seen the graduation of hundreds of students in both undergraduate and graduate programs over the past years, cementing its role as a leading institution in the training of media professionals.
The ceremony concluded with commemorative photographs and touching moments that will remain etched in the memories of graduates and attendees alike — marking the launch of a new generation of journalists and media practitioners, equipped with knowledge, ethics, and a profound sense of national duty.