Dina is an accomplished academic with over a decade of experience in the advertising industry. After almost a decade in the industry, in 2008, she transitioned to academia as an Assistant Professor of Advertising at the American University in Dubai. Dina was swiftly appointed as the Academic Coordinator for the entire advertising major, where she demonstrated her leadership and visionary approach.

 

As the Coordinator, Dina’s in-depth research and innovative thinking led to the complete redesign of the advertising curriculum and the development of over 10 new courses, all accredited by the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and esteemed American and international academic accreditation bodies including SACSCOC, NASAD, and the International Advertising Association.

 

While pursuing her passion for academia, Dina remained deeply connected to the advertising industry. She firmly believes in bridging the gap between academia and the professional world to provide students with an engaging, up-to-date education that prepares them for successful careers.

 

Complementing her coursework, Dina curates The Brandvertising Series, a range of extracurricular activities that offer exclusive, direct engagement with award-winning industry professionals. Through these initiatives, she ensures her students receive a comprehensive education that extends beyond the classroom and equips them with real-world skills.

 

Today, Dina holds the position of a full Professor of Advertising, where she not only imparts knowledge through the courses she personally developed but also mentors and guides her students to achieve remarkable success. Her students consistently receive awards and recognition from the industry, a testament to Dina’s dedication and commitment to nurturing creative talent.

 

Dina’s influence extends beyond her academic role. She actively contributes to the advertising community as a member of the IAA UAE (International Advertising Association, UAE chapter). She also holds the position of Chapter Lead for the SheSays.Dubai group and President of the MEDEA (Middle East Design Educators Association).

 

Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Dina played a pivotal role in securing the prestigious title of University of the Year for AUD at the Dubai Lynx Festival of Creativity (a Cannes Lions Festival) in 2015, 2017, and 2018. The effective student campaigns developed under her guidance were instrumental in achieving this remarkable feat. Additionally, for the last 7 years, she has been preparing, nominating and mentoring her students to represent the whole of the UAE at the Roger Hatchuel academy, Cannes Lions Festival. Dina’s dedication to teaching excellence has earned her the Excellence in Teaching award in 2014, presented by the university’s President. She has also been recognized for her outstanding professional engagement in 2015 and 2016 by the Provost.

 

Today, Dina’s ongoing commitment to fostering award-winning design and advertising professionals is evident in her students, affectionately named #adbeasts, and their work. Her research interests revolve around the role of advertising in society and the use of semiotics in advertising and how this guides self image, gender roles, social norms and stereotyping.