العربية Sana’a — August 3, 2025 — Marking the official launch of the seminar series for the Graphic Design and Multimedia program for the 2025–2026 academic year, the Female Students’ Branch at the University of Science and Technology (UST) hosted a distinguished academic event on Sunday, August 3. Titled “Nuqta” (Dot), the seminar was organized by fourth-year female students of the Graphic Design and Multimedia program within the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology—under the course Visual Communication Seminar and supervised by Ms. Yasmin Al-Hadhili.
Drawing its name and inspiration from the dots of Braille, the seminar focused on the critical importance of accessible design tailored for individuals with visual impairments. It shed light on the challenges they encounter when interacting with products and advertisements due to a lack of design considerations addressing their needs. Furthermore, the event explored the concept of the “dot” as a conceptual visual element bridging the sighted and the visually impaired, redefining design as a medium of sensory communication rather than one relying solely on vision. The program commenced at 10:00 AM with diverse, engaging segments aimed at emphasizing inclusive integration within creative and design spaces.
The seminar was attended by a select group of academics and administrators, led by Prof. Dr. Bilal Al-Fahidi, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology; Dr. Susan Al-Harwani, Dean of the Female Students’ Branch; Ms. Fatima Haider, Financial and Administrative Officer of the branch; and Dr. Jawad Naji, Head of the Graphic Design and Multimedia Program. It also drew a large gathering of faculty members and numerous students from the Graphic Design and Multimedia program alongside other specializations.
In his opening address, Prof. Dr. Bilal Al-Fahidi praised the dedication of the instructors in the Graphic Design and Multimedia program, commending the exceptional caliber of the students that consistently propels them to the forefront. He emphasized that local, regional, and international competitions refine student proficiencies and afford them valuable advantages in the post-graduation job market, while urging the female students to actively participate in the Arab Packaging Competition for its profound impact on developing their capabilities.
The event featured an inspiring segment titled “Design from a Visually Impaired Perspective,” presented by Ms. Hayat Al-Ashmouri. Sharing her success story as a visually impaired individual, she recounted how she overcame challenges to achieve high academic and professional milestones. She also addressed the significance of inclusive graphic design catering to the blind—whether in product packaging, advertisements, or mobile applications—and encouraged the student audience to integrate human-centric considerations into their design work.
Additionally, the seminar included interactive visual displays, innovative sensory experiments, and an inspiring segment titled “An Inspiring Artistic Vision” delivered by talented child Al-Hasan Fahd, adding a creative dimension to the proceedings. Innovative artworks specifically designed for the visually impaired were also showcased under the segment “Design and Accessibility.”
The seminar concluded with a recognition ceremony honoring the guest speakers, Dr. Jawad Naji Al-Hammadi (Head of the Graphic Design and Multimedia Program), Ms. Yasmin Al-Hadhili, official sponsors, and participating students in appreciation of their efforts and contributions to the success of this landmark event, which opens new horizons in inclusive design.
