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.
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC), on its drive to strengthen a learner centered training approach, trained 14 of its trainers on pedagogy. The Training of Trainers that lasted three days saw participants went through topics such as understanding different learning styles, presentation, lesson plan, giving and receiving feedback and classroom management. Binta Bah, the administrative officer said the training is timely and needed because it is geared towards improving quality delivery from the training staff. “This training couldn’t have come at a better time than this. We know we have great trainers who know their subject matter very well but for management, continuous refresher trainings of such are key in maintaining the standards set by the school,” she said. Binta added that MAJaC focuses more on the hands-on thus such training of trainers will go a long way in helping the Academy produce student who are ready for the labour market. Lars Mollers, the lead trainer said he is impressed with the performance of the participants. Lars is a Danish journalist who has served as a journalism Trainer since 1995. “I worked with trainers who want to grow. They also want want MAJaC to grow pedagogically. I see that these trainers understood and mastered their subject matter very well. All they needed is a little push on the areas we have chosen to train them on,” he said. Isatou Keita, one of the journalism trainers at the academy said the training gave her more insights of how to become a better trainer. “This training challenged me in multiple ways, I’ve learned how to better manage my class and how to engage the learners using different feedback methods,” Isatou Said. This TOT came off the heels of an end of year evaluation the Academy organizes with the class representatives. At such meeting, the students are asked to evaluate trainers, management, facilities, resources and trainers’ punctuality and regularity.
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.