UNESCO supports new approach to media and journalism training in the Pacific
19-07-2006 (Apia)
A partnership between the Institutes of Technology in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, the media industry, UNESCO and the PMCF promises to deliver, for the first time in the region, vocationally oriented and locally sustainable teaching and learning in media and journalism.
It also for the first time is building a group of experienced, qualified and recognized Pacific Island trainers for the sector.
Recognizing the importance of the initiative, UNESCO joined with the AusAID-funded Pacific Media and Communications Facility (PMCF) to fund the training of the media industry specialists to become fully accredited teachers of modules in their areas of specialty.
The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), shortly to begin teaching the course (July 2006), has thus far shown that this model will work for the Pacific and has shown impressive leadership in moving ahead.
FIT has just completed the first round of training industry professionals as teachers, now accredited teachers at FIT.
‘We thought we were experts [in our field] but teaching is a different ball game,’ said one of the 15 participants.
The participants in the ToT training came from all media, as well as information officers from the Fiji Ministry of Information and civil society. This not only indicates the broad spectrum of support for the training programme, but the importance of making the course available to all sectors of the media industry.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Chair of the Fiji Media Council, Daryl Tarte as well as the Director of FIT, Kolinio Meo who welcomed the media professionals to ‘the world of teaching and learning’.
The courses are structured so that the continued teaching in media and journalism will not be dependent on future donor funding, but rather will be supported by the market through student fees. This guarantees a trusted course for the industry long into the future, and provides additional income for journalists and related professionals.
‘The PMCF strongly values the partnership with UNESCO in this important initiative, as do the institutions and the media industry. This is the kind of initiative that can only increase in value to the profession long after the funding for the initial activities has ceased’, said the Program Manager of the PMCF.
The Training of Trainers courses at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology, the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education, the Tonga Community Development and Training Centre and the next round at the Fiji Institute of Technology are scheduled for October 2006 in time for the start of the first semester in 2007.
The Training of Trainers courses mark the start of a major initiative for accredited teaching in media and journalism across the Pacific region.
Recognizing the importance of the initiative, UNESCO joined with the AusAID-funded Pacific Media and Communications Facility (PMCF) to fund the training of the media industry specialists to become fully accredited teachers of modules in their areas of specialty.
The Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), shortly to begin teaching the course (July 2006), has thus far shown that this model will work for the Pacific and has shown impressive leadership in moving ahead.
FIT has just completed the first round of training industry professionals as teachers, now accredited teachers at FIT.
‘We thought we were experts [in our field] but teaching is a different ball game,’ said one of the 15 participants.
The participants in the ToT training came from all media, as well as information officers from the Fiji Ministry of Information and civil society. This not only indicates the broad spectrum of support for the training programme, but the importance of making the course available to all sectors of the media industry.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Chair of the Fiji Media Council, Daryl Tarte as well as the Director of FIT, Kolinio Meo who welcomed the media professionals to ‘the world of teaching and learning’.
The courses are structured so that the continued teaching in media and journalism will not be dependent on future donor funding, but rather will be supported by the market through student fees. This guarantees a trusted course for the industry long into the future, and provides additional income for journalists and related professionals.
‘The PMCF strongly values the partnership with UNESCO in this important initiative, as do the institutions and the media industry. This is the kind of initiative that can only increase in value to the profession long after the funding for the initial activities has ceased’, said the Program Manager of the PMCF.
The Training of Trainers courses at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology, the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education, the Tonga Community Development and Training Centre and the next round at the Fiji Institute of Technology are scheduled for October 2006 in time for the start of the first semester in 2007.
The Training of Trainers courses mark the start of a major initiative for accredited teaching in media and journalism across the Pacific region.
Preparing for a Presentation. Media Professionals at the FIT training of Trainers course.© UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
FIT Training of Trainers facilitator, Mr Pita Waqawai, emphasizes one of the principles for teaching adults.
© UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
Related themes/countries
· Fiji
· Tonga
· Vanuatu
· Solomon Islands
· Training of Media Professionals: News Archives 2006
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- UNESCO
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- UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
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