The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) recently concluded a three day retreat at the FIFA Gold Project in Yundum. The purpose of the retreat was to review and update the Institution’s policy documents with the aim to enhancing quality service delivery.

Essa Sowe, Member of the MAJaC Board of Directors said the purpose of the retreat was to produce a functional definition of quality in terms of guaranteeing improved learner outcome. He pointed out that this is one way of fulfilling the requirements of the International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001 of 2015 and National Accreditation & Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).

Sowe stated that “allowing Staff for instance to review instruments that govern their conduct is the fairest way of engaging people. It increases the Staff sense of belonging and ownership.”

Barrister Musa Barrow, a Trainer of Media Law & Ethics and International Human Rights at MAJaC said the retreat was successful as many documents were revived with the aim of uplifting them. He said such documents are significant for the effective running of an institution.

"In anything you want to do as an institution, you have to possess the policy framework to be able to do that. With the policy framework, you're in a position to deliver the quality performance that you desired for,” he said.

Mass Faye, Registration & Accreditation Officer at National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority, who was invited to present on NAQAA's requirements commended MAJaC for organising a retreat in a bid to improve standards. He said quality assurance is significant in improving and enriching an institution’s curriculum as well as addressing industry needs and gaps. He stated that quality assurance also ensures the availability of qualified trainers who can competently handle their subject areas.

“When prescribed standards are met in our procedures, and systems, and processes, we say there is quality in them”, he noted.

The NAQAA Registration & Accreditation Officer said quality looks at a range of issues which include human resources, governance, and the delivery of the programmes.

Sang Mendy, Managing Director of MAJaC, in his closing remarks thanked Board members and staff for their show of commitment to improving quality at MAJaC.

Among the documents reviewed are; Quality Policy, Quality Management System, Quality Management Indicator, Conditions of Service, and Trainer Observation Checklist among others.