First: Academic Field
In 2016, JMI continued with the implementation of its academic quality plan and also managed to finalize its legal relationship with the University of Jordan (UJ) by issuing new rules for awarding the MA degree. These regulations, which were approved by the UJ Council of Deans, addressed all the previous problems and loopholes. In addition, the institute continued with its periodic review of study plans and development of the practical approach in the curriculum.
This year, 26 students graduated from the seventh intake, while 31 students were admitted in the eighth intake. Along with the thesis track students of the sixth and seventh intakes, the total number of JMI students stood at 59 in 2016, the highest figure since the establishment of the institute.
To date, a total of 212 students (105 males and 107 females) have been admitted to the institute.
Class attendance in 2016 stood at 92.3%, while the attendance rate for extracurricular activities was 84%. Forty-six activities were organized this year, including domestic and foreign trips, guest lecturer sessions and training workshops.
The academic year featured the defence of the very first university thesis by a thesis track (sixth intake) student. In total, 10 theses went through all the academic and administrative procedures and were discussed; some of them were distinguished on the national level.
JMI also maintained its competitive edge, with 90% of its graduates securing jobs in media outlets this year, according to the graduates' report, prepared by the institute for the second year.
Second: Projects and Research
The institute’s capacity for obtaining locally and internationally funded projects doubled in 2016. These projects, which became JMI’s primary resource, also served its mission of national media development and employing the media to serve development.
JMI secured seven new projects in 2016, while the activities of previous programs continued. These projects covered Media and Information Literacy, capacity building for local radio stations, preparing a population media strategy and documenting media coverage of the Great Arab Revolt.
In the field of research, the Media Research and Studies Unit carried out several studies, such as monitoring media coverage of the 2016 Parliamentary elections and evaluating the training needs of the Jordanian media sector. Projects and research contributed around 46% of JMI’s income.
Meanwhile, previously initiated programs continued to achieve success, the most important of which is the Jordanian Media Credibility Monitor (AKEED), which launched an English version of its website this year.
The cooperation program with the Norwegian Institute of Journalism also continued, with four training workshops conducted for JMI students this year. In addition, 20 students went to Norway on a cultural exchange trip. Also as part of the cooperation program, an international conference on "Hate Speech in Digital and Social Media" was held in April. Around 200 academic, media, political and public figures attended the event, during which 28 research papers were presented.
Meanwhile, the JMI’s role in the MedMedia project witnessed some improvement in 2016 after facing some problems the previous year. The project, funded by the EU and implemented in cooperation with BBC Media Action, supports media reform in the MENA region.
Third: Training
Paid training continued to face numerous challenges in the local media market. For the second year in a row, the institute tried to offer training programs in the form of quarterly plans, but the response remained low.
Training indicators in 2016 saw a decline compared to the previous year, with 20 programs held for 379 trainees as opposed to 29 training courses for 582 participants in 2015.
Fourth: Institutional Framework
JMI maintained its reputation and status in 2016, when greater appreciation of its role and image was evident. This can be attributed to many factors, most important of which is the institute’s visibly growing activity. The media published around 812 items on JMI activities this year.
In addition, the institute expanded its interaction with official and private sector establishments in the country. JMI has also achieved greater local, regional and international visibility through participation in functions, forums and committees related to media, higher education and other sectors.
In 2016, JMI receiving funds amounting to half a million Jordanian dinars to renovate the first floor of its premises. The project, slated for completion in February 2017, will increase its capacity with the addition of new training halls and administrative offices.
Fifth: Resources and Sustainability
JMI’s financial performance improved in 2016, with its income going up by 23% compared to the previous year. Local and international projects generated the most revenue, accounting for 45.9%, followed by tuition fees (12.3%) and training (7.4%). This means that JMI's own revenues totalled around 66%, while 34% came from external sources, such as special agreements or grants extended to students by different entities.