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.
Just as the scorpions of The Gambia are making history, past and current students of the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication are also shinning in Cameroon. The Gambia is participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the country's history. This is the same for many of the sports journalists from the tiny West African country. About a dozen journalists from The Gambia are currently in Cameroon. Five of these are past and current students of MAJaC. While the scorpions continues to sting on the pitch, MAJaC students on the ground are keeping Gambians home and abroad up to date with all the happenings in the Afcon. Amadou Tamba, a Diploma student at the Academy and a sports journalist for one of the biggest radio station in The Gambia, Capital FM said, he is making good use of the knowledge and skills gained at the Academy at the AFCON. He said since he joined MAJaC his production, writing skills as well as his confidence and analytical skills improved immensely. He added that he is also a lot more confident to interact with colleagues from other countries. "We meet a lot of journalist from Africa so the interactions is a key component here. I learnt a lot at MAJac. I have no problems speaking in the midst of other journalists from Africa and other parts of the world thanks to the confidence MAJaC trainers put in me," Tamba said. Dawda Baldeh, a certificate student working for a renowned online platform, The Fatu Network said his studies at MaJaC did not only helped him in his coverage of the Afcon but in his career as well. "When I was joining the media, I had little experience but since I joined MAJaC, I have improved drastically.” Baldeh said the quality of studies at MAJaC is high enough to prepare anyone for any journalistic tasks. "Right now I can say I am not afraid to be assigned for any form of coverage. Because I know the kind of training I got from MAJaC," he added. Sally Jeng the only female among the five is an Advanced Diploma student. Sally said her studies at MAJaC is what make her who she is today. She said she remembered how she struggled as a reporter and how that has changed since she joined MAJaC. Sally is filing stories for an international media, Radio France International. She is one of the few Gambian journalists filing stories for an international medium. Click to read her stories: https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220125-dream-on-gambia-s-scorpions-bask-in-glory-of-reaching-cup-of-nations-last-eight https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20220117-scorpions-sting-gambia-s-afcon-hopes-still-alive-following-draw-against-mali https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220119-gambia-s-top-forward-babucarr-trawally-leaves-africa-cup-of-nations-afcon-under-controversy-football The trio advice young journalist from MAJaC urged students at the same academy to take their professional training seriously. They all said studying at MAJaC can be challenging because the trainers there prepare students for the rigours of the newsroom. Momodou S Jallow and Uthman Jeng both of whom are former students of the Academy are also currently in Cameroon delivering topnotch reports and photographs respectively for their media.
Every institution that host at least five or more people should have fire-neutralizing equipment such as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms among others. The is to meet the ISO 13.220.01 Protection Against Fire in General and NAQAA Standards. Most often than not, very few institutions prepare their staff on how to operate such equipment. Cognizant of the importance of having such safety equipment, The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication on Saturday, April 2, 2022 trained its staff and students on how to operate the safety equipment installed at the premises. Present at the training were the academy’s management, administrative and teaching staff as well as students from the various classes enrolled at the academy. Speaking before the commencement of the training, Sang Mendy, Managing Director of the Academy said, the training is timely. He said, the Academy is cognizant of the need to train staff and students on how to operate the fire and safety equipment noting that this might help in saving lives and properties. “Knowing how to neutralize fire when it is at stage one is important in saving lives and properties. This is why we contracted a certified fire trainer to refill and service the fire extinguishers and also to train the staff and students on how to operate them,” Mendy said. The MD, who actively took part in the training, urged the students to share the knowledge and skills gained during the training with their colleagues in the class. The head of MDS Fire and Safety Company, Momodou Camara told participants at the training to make sure they raise an alarm anytime they see fire within the building. He also advised that anytime students and staff to check for the direction of the wind; look out for exit, call for the electricity meter to be switched off, rush to the extinguishers, grab them and apply the skills gathered during the training. While commending MAJaC for organizing such a training, Camara urged management to put signage such as exit doors, high voltage at strategic places and assembling points. The participants carried out some simulation exercise before the end of the training.