Good and exciting news for aspiring and practising journalists as the University of Fiji has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fijian Media Association to take its Journalism and Media Studies programme to the next level through direct engagement with mainstream media.
Speaking at the signing, University of Fiji Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said the MOU would take their programme to the next level.
Professor Shameem says the agreement would open doors for students to excel in their work and keep up with emerging trends in the media industry.
She says the university was grateful to the Fijian Media Association for supporting its efforts to empower students.
She says the MOU would serve as a benchmark for the university’s future teaching model and encourage more young people to pursue journalism.
Professor Shameem further says the Journalism and Media Studies programme is broader than its name suggests, with courses covering public relations, web design, coding, film and documentary production.
She adds discussions are also underway to rename the programme to better reflect the evolving multimedia landscape, particularly with the rapid advancement of technology and artificial intelligence.
Parliament Speaker and University of Fiji Chancellor Filimone Jitoko was also present at the MOU signing.
Fijian Media Association Coordinator Elenoa Baselala says the Association was established to work together with stakeholders for the benefit of the media industry.
Baselala says lifting of the MIDA Decree gave journalists greater freedom to report.
She says the media landscape has changed significantly and is different from what it was in the past.
Baselala also expressed her appreciation to the University of Fiji for the programme and its efforts to support the development of journalists.
