Editor-in-Chief | Arab News
Marketing Communications MA – 2010
I was very lucky to have not merely lecturers but life-mentors at the University of Westminster.
Faisal studied on the Marketing Communications MA course at the Westminster Business School, graduating in 2010. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, the Middle East’s leading English-language daily newspaper. Prior to this, he was Editor-in-Chief of the digital English service of the Al-Arabiya news channel, media editor at pan-Arab daily, Asharq Al Awsat and senior Middle East correspondent for the International Resource Journal.
What are you doing now?
I am currently the Editor in Chief of Arab News, the Middle East's Leading International Daily. I also publish columns for Huffington Post.
What did you find most valuable about your course at Westminster? How did the skills you learnt during your degree help you to shape your career?
My MA in Marketing Communications at Westminster was ideal because it included elements of management, which were essential for me, such as managing creative teams, managing PR and advertisement campaigns, the ability to put together a good sales offer, and principles of market research. These are all things which came in very handy in my job later.
Why would you recommend Westminster as a place to study?
If you are just after a degree to hang on the wall, you can just do that online these days and it is much cheaper and quicker. However, if you want – and can afford – a fully-fledged student experience, then there is nothing that matches Westminster, known for its excellence in providing a world-class educational experience for its students.
What was the best thing about being a student in London?
In London you don’t just learn from the classroom, you learn from your daily interaction with your colleagues, with your lecturers, with passers-by in the street and you begin comparing what you learn with what you see in your daily life. In my job today, I apply lots of I have seen the British papers do. I used to read most dailies religiously while I was in London.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing a similar career?
First, you must find out what you are passionate about and pursue it at any cost; don’t let anyone convince you that it can’t or shouldn’t be done.
Second, believe in yourself. This sounds silly, but it is true. To be able to create an impact, you must be able to make people believe in you and you simply can’t achieve that if you don’t believe in yourself first.
Finally, everything has a price and nothing comes easy… so if you want something badly, you have to be willing to do what is required to get it.