As Northwestern University in Qatar marks the fifth anniversary of its Media Majlis Museum, the institution made a lasting impact at Web Summit Qatar 2025. Held from February 23 to 26, this year’s event served as a significant milestone for the Museum, which has become a vital hub for community engagement, intellectual exploration, and innovative dialogue.
The Media Majlis Museum, renowned for its dynamic approach to media, journalism, and communication, showcased a mural documenting its impact and initiatives since its inception in 2019. Reflecting its commitment to intellectual exchange and media literacy, the showcase offered a visual journey through its past six years of programming. Inspired by the intricate design of circuit boards, the infographic traced the focus on diverse topics like language, identity, fairness, and the future.
"Always Another Side," the Museum’s motto, rang through the exhibition as the artwork drew connections between concepts and different perspectives. These connections represented the Museum's mission to be a platform where visitors could explore complex ideas at the intersection of art, communication, and technology. By serving as a platform for conversations around global and regional issues, it amplified voices that are often underrepresented, particularly from the Global South, offering visitors a unique understanding of the world.
At Web Summit Qatar 2025, the Media Majlis Museum’s participation underscored its core focus: community engagement. Through exhibitions and programs, it continually empowered local and global communities to explore pressing issues through evidence-based storytelling and open dialogue. With its multidisciplinary approach, it used art, media, and scholarship to bridge gaps between the public and crucial issues in the media landscape.
“The Media Majlis Museum is more than a space for exhibitions—it is an integral part of NU-Q ‘s academic mission to foster discovery, innovation, and critical engagement with media, communication, and technology,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “Its role in fostering dialogue and intellectual inquiry embodies our University’s values of advancing knowledge, challenging dominant narratives, and connecting communities through storytelling.”
The showcase was not only a celebration of the Museum’s past but also a living reflection of how it has shaped conversations around media literacy in the Arab world. From its workshops to its publications, it has created platforms for individuals, institutions, and communities to interact and engage in discussions that challenge preconceived notions and encourage deeper inquiry. The mural encapsulated the diverse ways the Museum has fostered these conversations, creating a visual narrative that highlighted the power of media to shape and reflect societal change.
“The Media Majlis Museum is more than a space for exhibitions—it is an integral part of NU-Q ‘s academic mission to foster discovery, innovation, and critical engagement with media, communication, and technology.”
The Media Majlis Museum's participation in Web Summit Qatar also highlighted the intersection of media and technology, with new innovations and approaches to communication continually tested. The exhibition specifically explored the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in media and its implications for communication. AI was a topic that resonated strongly at the Summit, where technology and innovation were at the forefront of discussion.
“As we mark five years, the Media Majlis Museum is entering a new era of engagement—one that embraces emerging technologies, diverse perspectives, and evolving media landscapes,” said Alfredo Cramerotti, director of the Media Majlis Museum. “Our vision as a next-generation museum is to create dynamic, immersive experiences that challenge perceptions and invite critical conversations about the future of media.”
The expanded presence of Northwestern Qatar at Web Summit Qatar also tied into the broader University mission of global engagement, with the Media Majlis Museum being a central part of this vision. As part of a multifaceted program, the University’s stand featuring the showcase served as a platform for faculty, students, and alumni to engage with global thought leaders, share research, and discuss issues critical to the evolving media landscape.
The Museum’s continued dedication to fostering intellectual engagement is a testament to its commitment to community-driven impact. As Northwestern Qatar celebrated its role in this year's Web Summit, the Media Majlis Museum underscored the University’s position as a hub for innovation, critical discourse, and the intersection of art, technology, and media.
