Dr. Jabbar A. Al-Obaidi

Dr. Jabbar Al-Obaidi is a professor of Media Studies and Communication Technologies. Currently, Professor Al-Obaidi serves as the Academic Director of Global Programs, the Minnock Institute for Global Engagement. He served as the director of the Center for Middle East Studies (2011-2018) and the founding chairperson of the Department of Communication Studies (2005-2011) at Bridgewater State University (BSU). In addition to his extensive teaching and administrative experiences in the USA and abroad, Professor Al-Obaidi taught in Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, and China. Professor Al-Obaidi ‘s administrative contribution, scholarly work, and teaching cover curriculum and programs, management and leadership, assessment, pedagogy, online learning communities, instructional technology, intercultural communication, Collaborative Online International Learning COIL, and media in the Middle East. He also produces and hosts INFOCUS, a cable television program, and makes documentary films. He organized and participated in numerous workshops and training sessions in the area of intercultural communication, professional development, curriculum assessment, online learning and teaching, media training, and institutional strategic development. Dr. Al-Obaidi initiated and facilitated the implementation of academic international partnership, with many universities in the Middle East and contributed to other global partnership. He led study abroad programs, undergraduate research, and internship in various countries. He also works closely with student clubs to promote collaboration and diversity integration. Currently, he teaches Media Studies Seminar, Multimedia Storytelling, Media Law and Ethics, and Intercultural Communication.