April 2019 | DOI: 10.30958/ajmmc.5-2-1 | License CC BY-NC 4.0

Dr. Maurice Odine

Journal of Business and Economics, ISSN 2155-7950, USA | December 2015, Volume 6, No. 12, pp. 2016-2026 | DOI: 10.15341/jbe(2155-7950)/12.06.2015/003 © Academic Star Publishing Company, 2015

http://www.academicstar.us

Abstract:

The Middle East is the world’s second-fastest growing mobile market, with 60 percent youth population under the age of 29. For instance, in Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), smartphone penetration has risen 11 percent in recent years. The “winner” is the emergence of youth partnership with mobile phones, a voice manifested in Egypt and Tunisia during spring 2011 uprising. Despite residual conservatism, virtual words and Internet access have broken societal cultural barriers. As a result, mobile phones have become gadgets for companionship and social interaction, while communicating text messages and/or pictures is being circumvented. Although purchasing is driven by passion or prestige, youth are generally drawn to the latest mobiles that are loaded with technology-driven features. Current favorites include Lumia 640 XL, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, iPhone 6 (S), Nokia 925, HTC One M8, Motorola Droid Turbo, Sony Xperia Z3, and Blackberry Passport SQW 100. Key words: mobile phone; technology; youth; partnership; internet

The “winner” is the emergence of youth partnership with mobile phones, a voice manifested in Egypt and Tunisia during spring 2011 uprising.

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Originally from Cameroon, Dr. Odine’s community involvement includes socializing periodically through the organization of ex-students of my alma mater-Presbyterian Secondary School-and sundry activities organized by African and international entities. In keeping with academic and professional contributions in various intercultural communities, Dr. Odine has directed literacy communications programs through grantsmanship to benefit disadvantaged students and enabled African professors to participate in exchange programs with universities in the US. Special interests include scholarly research for publications and presentations at conferences, discovery, and dissemination of new knowledge, plus serving as a mentor to learners. Versed in multiculturalism, he is fluent in five languages and has worked in Cameroon, Haiti, Botswana, Lesotho, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait as a professor and administrator.

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Education: Ph.D. in Radio-Television-Film at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; MA in Radio-Television at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana; BA in Communications at State University of New York at Geneseo

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Accomplishments: Professor of Radio, Television & Film and Dean of the School of Communication, Texas Southern University; Dean of Journalism & Graphic Communication at Florida A&M University; Chair of Communications at Tennessee State University; Chair of Mass Communications at Gulf University for Science & Technology; Chief United Nations Information Officer in Sierra Leone; United Nations Communications Specialist in Haiti; Chair of Mass Communications at Winston-Salem State University; Director of Broadcasting at Grambling State University; Associate Dean of Language & Communication at United Arab Emirates University.