SHARJAH, Broadcasting News Corporation : The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has conducted a panel discussion “future view of the role of social media platforms in employing students’ skills” and held a meeting for directors of government outreach departments in educational institutions in the country. The session, held at the end of the International Government Communication Forum, was attended by student Issa Al Awadi from the UAEU, who has an exceptional experience in social media sites, the student Abdul Rahman Salah Al Hosani from the University of Sharjah, who has a pioneer website, and Fatima Al Ahbabi, an author and a graduate of the UAE University and Head of the Arabic Language Proofreading Unit at the Trends Research and Advisory. The session was moderated by the student Hamda Al Blooshi from the UAE University. The participants presented their vision and experience in social media sites in various technical applications, emphasising the importance of having good communication skills and techniques, especially since social media sites and networks provide a wide scope and space for the owners of these sites, including media professionals, tweeters and amateurs. At the same time, the participants highlighted the significance of awareness and responsibility in the role of traditional media as the official choice due to its formality, professionalism, and credibility in conveying information. They added that it is essential that traditional media keep pace with modern technologies, which many media institutions are working on for all written, visual, or audio materials. Social media sites attract large social segments that need the information to readily interact with the fast-paced events. The university also held a coordination meeting for directors and officials of government outreach departments in several institutions headed by Ghalia Al Ahbabi, Director of the University Outreach Department at the UAE University. They discussed the challenges facing government outreach departments in educational institutions and ways to measure the impact of media materials published in various media outlets locally and globally. NEWS COLLECTED FROM EMIRATES NEWS AGENCY – WAM.