Renowned journalism scholar and former Director of Institute of Communication Studies Punjab University (ICS-PU) Prof Dr Mughees Uddin Sheikh passed away battling COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He was shifted on a ventilator when his health deteriorated. Dr Mughees Uddin was a renowned international scholar, educationist and analyst. He was serving as Dean Media and Commutation Studies, University of Management and Technology.

His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at 1.30pm at the jogging track of the Punjab University adjacent to VC House.

Taking to twitter Dr Mughees students and admirers praised him for his commitment to promoting the culture of debate and research in Pakistan and praised him for promoting Pakistan’s positive image around the globe.

Previously, served as Director of Institute of Communication Studies, Punjab University and undisputedly recognized as the mentor of majority of qualified Pakistani media personalities. He joined PU in 1982 and served there for 28 years. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Department in 2003. Dr Sheikh joined Superior University as Dean of the Department of Mass Communication Management Studies.

Dr Mughees started his teaching career in 1976 from Department of Mass Communication Gomal University as a lecturer. He was awarded Fellowship Salzburg Seminar (Austria) and a recipient of Presidential Award Izaz-i-Fazeelat and University Best Teacher Award by Higher Education Commission.

He was first elected President of Pakistan Media Educators Council and a member of Board of Studies of all the major universities of Pakistan.

Dr Mughees earned his PhD in Mass Communication (1993) and Master (MA) in Journalism (1991) from University of IOWA, USA. He obtained his Master degree (MA) from Punjab University (1976) and MA (Political Science), Punjab University (1977).  

He was bestowed upon John F Murray Award (USA). His penned over 50 research papers internationally.

He got Salzburg Seminar Fellowships on Media Globalization (Salzburg Austria) in 1999, Salzburg Seminar Fellowships on Media Globalization (Salzburg Austria) in 2000, Post-doctoral fellowship at Oslo University College (Norway) in 2006.

He was Dean of Faculty of Media and Communication, University of Central Punjab when he launched his autobiography ‘Sisakti Muskrati Zindagi’ in a ceremony held at Awain-e-Iqbal on 19 August, 2018.