14 awarded Diploma in Journalism at Jaffna University

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 June 2008, 10:19 GMT]
“The responsibility of guiding the society on a just and proper path rests with the media,” Vice-chancellor of Jaffna University, Prof. N. Shanmugalingan, Guest of Honour, said in the convocation ceremony held Wednesday at Jaffna University, Media Resource and Training Centre (MRTC). Fourteen students, including a woman, were awarded Diploma in Journalism at the ceremony. “Though the journalists passing out today have to work in a dangerous security climate, I fervently hope they will fulfill their responsibility to the society, Prof. P. Balasuntharampillai, the head of MRTC and former Vice-chancellor of Jaffna University, said in his speech.

The group of students were the first to receive the Diploma from the MRTC that was established in Jaffna University with financial aid from the Royal Danish Government and UNESCO in 2003.

“Society is moulded by media. Therefore, media should cherish the noble goal of leading the people towards social justice and Jaffna University will be a model in creating journalists along this principle,” the Guest of Honour added.

The Institute for Further Education of Journalists (FOJO) of Sweden is presently financing the third group of students of journalism in MRTC.

The MRTC runs a part-time and a full-time diploma course for print and broadcast journalists, as well as a degree programme in media studies at the University of Jaffna.

The MRTC is a meeting place for Jaffna based reporters where they can research, produce and file stories for their newsrooms in Colombo, according to MRTC officials.

The centre also arranges workshops and courses for working journalists, and facilitates discussions with politicians, the civil society and other stakeholders on the role of journalism in a democracy.