JPA, Bridgewater State University join hands to train journalists

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Foundation (JPA)/Al Rai and Bridgewater State University (BSU) recently held a joint training programme on media and photojournalism and crisis management.  

The week-long course, which is part of the newly renewed memorandum of understanding signed between the JPA and BSU with the aim of developing the joint training programme, consisted of a series of lectures.

The programme included conversations on media ethics and law, newspaper management, crisis management, public relations, photojournalism and media marketing among others, as well as various lectures on environment and green chemistry.

The course also shed light on global issues in developing countries, specifically the repercussions of refugee influxes to the Kingdom since 1948 and political challenges resulting from the US cutting its contributions to UNRWA. 

Wing-kai To, assistant provost for global engagement and senior international officer at BSU, said: “BSU has benefitted from our affiliation with the JPA over many years.”

He highlighted that this partnership has provided BSU leaders, faculty and staff, as well as students a “unique opportunity” to learn about media and civil society in Jordan.

“Hosting journalists from Al Rai Centre for Media Studies enhances our understanding of thorny issues confronting the Middle East region as well as contributing to fruitful exchanges about media studies and journalism between our institutions,” he added.

 Jabbar Al Obaidi, professor and academic director of global programmes at BSU, highlighted the collaborative educational work between the JPA and BSU, pointing out that through the week-long "professional" training, BSU students, faculty, librarians and staff “gained a lot” from the journalists’ lectures about Jordanian media and its coverage of conflicts, wars and refugees in the region.

“BSU and Al Rai Centre for Media Studies are determined to take this cultural and educational collaboration to a higher level to strengthen cooperation to benefit our communities and countries,” he added.