One of UK’s top universities, Ulster University, has announced an award named after senior investigative journalist, Arshad Sharif, who was brutally killed under mysterious circumstances in Kenya in October this year.
According to the details, Dr. Colm Murphy, Subject Leader in Media, Film, and Journalism at Ulster University’s School of Communication and Media, wrote a letter to Sharif’s wife – Somiya Arshad – seeking permission to introduce the Best Investigate Journalist award named after the slain journalist.
The university will honor Arshad Sharif’s memory by giving an award named after him each year to one of its students for the best articles produced in investigative journalism, turning his fight for truth into a legacy to encourage a new generation of journalists.
Read more: Arshad Sharif: A Hero that Reminds of Aristotle’s “Greek Tragedy”
Ulster University has also added Arshad Sharif’s name to its Tree of Hope in the university oratory in Coleraine as the institute remembers him and his family at this time of the year.
Ulster University to honour Arshad Sharif Shaheed, writes to Arshad’s wife. pic.twitter.com/27qAKKXOGT
— Matiullah Jan (@Matiullahjan919) December 26, 2022
The varsity also expressed condolences on the tragic death of the senior journalist, noting that Sharif was a past student of the school graduating over 17 years ago with his MA in Media Studies.
Pertinent to mention that Ulster University is situated in Northern Ireland. It has a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation, and regional engagement. The Times and Sunday Times’ Good University Guide 2023 has ranked Ulster University at number 38. This is the first time that Ulster University has been named one of the top 40 universities in the UK for the first time, having climbed six positions from last year.
Arshad Sharif school of journalism
Arshad Sharif was shot dead in Kenya’s Nairobi city on October 23, under mysterious circumstances. The death of the journalist sent shock waves across rights organizations, the media fraternity, and civil society and prompted calls for thorough investigation and disclosure of facts.
Since Arshad Sharif was one of Pakistan’s leading journalists and was renowned for his exemplary investigative journalism, the nation continues to pay tribute to him.
In honor of the slain journalist Arshad Sharif, the Government College University (GCU) renamed its media department to the Arshad Sharif School of Journalism.
The Vice Chancellor of GCU said that in the Arshad Sharif School of Journalism, special attention would be paid to investigative journalism and journalistic values. A new building of Arshad Sharif School of Journalism will also be constructed on the campus and an Endowment fund would be set up for this purpose.
Read more: Arshad Sharif School of Journalism becomes a reality
In another instance, journalist Imran Riaz Khan started an ambulance service in honor of Arshad Sharif. The ambulance will be sent to remote areas which include the cities of Balochistan, South Punjab, and Kashmir.
Naureen Salim is a Research Analyst and Sub-Editor at GVS. The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.