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31 May 2017
24.05.2017<br />
Amman -- The Jordan Media Institute (JMI), in cooperation with the Spanish Blanquerna University and with the participation of 27 Arab and European universities and higher education institutions, held the fourth international forum for networking between media education institutions for reforming the educational systems of journalism and media in the Arab world. This is part of the activities of the MedMedia "Maidan" media project, supported by the EU, for developing the media in the Southern Mediterranean region. <br />
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The two-day meeting was attended by academics and experts in the teaching of journalism and media from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, as well as Spain, Britain, and France. The participants adopted the study prepared by the JMI as the terms of reference for preparing plans for reforming media education. The study was titled "Systems of Teaching Journalism and Media in Middle East and North Africa Countries: Ongoing Old Problems and New Challenges." <br />
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JMI Dean Dr. Basim Tweissi, who opened the workshop, presented seven main steps that form the initial features of a roadmap for developing educational systems at institutions that teach media in light of the changes witnessed in the region, besides the international experiences and standards in this field. These include student admission systems, curricula, study plans, quality systems, members of the teaching staff, student exchange, and the relationship with the media. <br />
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He said that the current stage of change in the media requires the task of reforming the systems of education of journalism and mass communication in the Middle East and North Africa region on several levels. He indicated that the problems and challenges that they face are mostly common. Most of them are old problems, besides some new challenges that these institutions are still unable to handle.<br />
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Dr. Jaume Suau Martinez, representative of Blanquerna University, underlined the importance of building a network of relations between universities at the two tips of the Mediterranean for reforming the systems of education of journalism and media. He explained the role that could be played by the exchange of expertise in reforming and developing curricula.<br />
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The first day of the meeting included three sessions. In the first session, Dr. Martinez presented a study about teaching journalism in the Middle East and North Africa. The second session was titled "Media Education Reform, Best Practices and Key Priorities." It was moderated by Dr. Nayla Hamdy from the American University of Cairo. Dr. Inas Abou Youssef, Ahram Canadian University-Egypt; Dr. Hashim Al Tameemi, dean of the College of Journalism at the University of Baghdad; Dr. Mohammad Allali, Institute for Communication and Information in Rabat; and Dr. Bassam Awaida, Birzeit University/Palestine, participated in the session. <br />
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The third session was titled "Partnerships and Models of Cooperation between Media Schools to Adapt Media Education Curricula and Joint Projects." It was moderated by Dr. Jaume Suau Martinez. Dr. Benoit Califano, ESJ PRO Montpellier; Michael Foley, Dublin Institute for Technology; Dr. Zahera Harb, City University of London, took part in the session. <br />
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On the second day, two sessions were held. The first was titled "International Experiences in Joint Projects and Partnerships' Possibilities." It was moderated by Dr. Martinez. Dr. Benoit Califano spoke about the experience of UNESCO in this field; Jessica Dheere from SMEX spoke about developing the teaching of social media applications; and Sharif Abdunnur from the Lebanese University of Balamand spoke about media projects and the curricula taught at the university. <br />
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The second session was titled "Curricula Reform, Challenges in MENA Region." It was moderated by Dr. Basim Tweissi. Dr. Inas Abou Youssef, dean of Mass Communications Faculty at Ahram Canadian University-Egypt, spoke about qualifying media educators at faculties of media; Dr. Faisal Al Sirhan, director of International Cooperation, Zarqa University, spoke about the relationship between faculties of media and the media; Dr. Sakher Al Khasawneh from the JMI spoke about integration of media ethics in curricula; Dr. Najlaa Emary, expert supporting JMI UNESCO Project for Media Literacy, spoke about integration of media literacy in university education. <br />
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In October 2014, the JMI signed a cooperation and partnership agreement in the media reform project in a number of Arab countries "Maidan" for four years. The project is implemented by a group of media establishments, which includes, besides the JMI, BBC Media Action, the International Federation of Journalists, the Federation of Arab Journalists, IREX Europe, and Blanquerna University. The project is funded by the EU.<br />
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It is worth noting that the JMI has started receiving applications for the MA program in Journalism and New Media for the year 2017/2018 until 6 July. For more information, please visit the website of the JMI at www.jmi.edu.jo or call the following numbers + 962 6 5713304/6.<br />