Chevening South Asian Journalist Scholarship Programme

The aim of the programme is to offer a unique learning experience that will sharpen critical thinking and leadership skills for high-flying media professionals.  The scholars will engage with senior British and international academics, journalists and public servants on a wide range of themes relevant to today’s fast-changing environment. These include: the exercise of power; models and quality of democratic governance; the role of media in society and political life; strategic security challenges and the role of the media in conflict resolution; the impact of technological change; and ethics, institutions and regulatory frameworks.  As part of the course, the scholars will also undergo a two-week internship with leading British media organisations

We aim to sponsor twelve mid-career journalists to participate in this tailor-made leadership course. 2012 will be a pilot year, in which we hope to attract six potential scholars from Pakistan. We will cover all costs for the successful candidates to study on the tailor-made two-month course in the UK at The University of Westminster, London. The dates of the first Programme are 31st March – May 2012.  We hope success in 2012 will lead to repeat scholarships in subsequent years

We anticipate the standard of applicant for this scholarship to be very high. I should therefore be grateful if you could bring this opportunity to the attention of those with the highest potential in your organisation.

Each Scholarship covers the following

•  Full Programme fees
•  Living expenses for the duration of the scholarship
•  Return airfare
•  UK visa fee

Overall Programme Goals

•  Improve mutual understanding and promote wider dialogue and better links
   between eminent South Asian journalists and the UK
•  Expose future journalistic leaders from South Asia to the UK’s top opinion
   formers and decision-makers within Government, politics, industry and civil
   society.
•  Expand the horizons and capacities of some of India’s future journalist leaders
   and facilitate relationship building between Indian and Pakistani journalists.
•  Prepare future leaders and opinion formers in South Asia for high responsibilities
   in their media organisations, by developing their analytical insights, strategic
   outlook and knowledge of key issues facing the South Asian media.

Programme Content

The course title is ‘‘ Good Governance: the Media, Politics and Democracy’.

The course will explore the different ways in which the media play a part in holding democratic processes to account. This involves government, the civil service, issues around security, as well as the political system. The curriculum will also focus on the ways in which the media themselves are held responsible and on the wider context in which political institutions operate – from the working of markets and the economy, to the political vigour of the arts and the role of soft power in sport. The ethics of reporting are at the heart of all such processes.

The course will be a learning experience aimed at sharpening critical thinking and leadership skills.  It will also to facilitate relationship building between Indian and Pakistani journalists, so that they can play a constructive role in improving ties between the two countries.

The participants will engage with each other and with senior academics, journalists and public servants on contested and inter-related concepts such as power, ethics, the role of media in society, plurality, democracy, security challenges facing South Asian media, conflict resolution, the role of trade ties in conflict zones, the impact of technological change, the political environment of media activity in South Asia, key areas of international interest, institutions and regulatory frameworks.

The programme will be broad-based and demanding. The scholars will have the opportunity to develop their own contacts. Candidates will therefore need to demonstrate independent thinking, the ability to work in teams as well as individually, excellent academic qualifications, and above all the motivation to contribute constructively to the programme

The University

The University of Westminster is one of the largest, most international and highly rated ‘post 1992’ universities in the UK. For University details, please visit www.westminster.ac.uk
Within the School, the Chevening South Asia Journalism Programme will be based in the prestigious Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. The department is well known for the courses it offers in Journalism, Media Management, Public Relations, Communication, Communication Policy and Global Media. The department has researchers with world leading international profiles in the areas of media and communications policy, audience research and media history.  It was rated number one in the UK in the most recent national Research Assessment Exercise.
See http://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/schools/media and http://www.westminster.ac.uk/research/a-z/camri/about-us

Course Structure

The eight-week course will be comprised of three interrelated elements:

•    Project-based work - both individual and collaborative;
•    A six week module comprising lectures, seminars, guest speakers and visits;
•    Two week placements with top UK print and broadcast media organisations.

Eligibility criteria

•    The ideal candidate should be a mid career Journalist from India or Pakistan covering political and economic sectors. They should have a valid Indian / Pakistani passport
•    Candidates will be expected to have had at least seven years professional experience working at a leading media group.
•    Excellent academic record
•    Conversant with written and spoken English