...And to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia

Welcome to the Website for the 2008 conference of the Arab-United States Association of Communication Educators (AUSACE).

It’s been 7 years since AUSACE last met in the United States. Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Mass Communications is very honored and pleased to host the 13th annual conference in Richmond, Virginia, USA in November, 2008.

The conference theme, “Best Practices for Journalism and Communication Education in an Interconnected World,” is very timely and appropriate. Journalism and communication educators around the world are seeking to identify “best practices” for journalism and for the teaching of journalism to ensure the highest quality and standards. These efforts are taking place within individual countries and regions but also globally: the first World Journalism Education Congress that included representatives from 29 different journalism education associations from around the globe convened in June 2007 in Singapore.

As we gather for the 2008 AUSACE conference, we have the opportunity to discuss and refine best practices for journalism and communication education across the Arab world. Conference organizers are planning ample opportunities during the conference not only to share research and knowledge about journalism and journalism education but to develop models and standards for journalism education across the Arab world.

The conference also will provide opportunities to experience the hospitality of Virginia Commonwealth University, the Richmond, Virginia area, nearby Washington, DC (only two hours away), and historic Jamestown, birthplace of the nation, just one hour away.

We look forward to welcoming you in November 2008.

Dr. Judy VanSlyke Turk
Director
School of Mass Communications
Virginia Commonwealth University