BIJEM: Meeting the challenge of modern journalism education

“Who wants to be a television journalist?” asked Mirza Tarequl Qader, a noted media activist, public relations specialist, writer and researcher, at a training course on ‘Electronic Journalism’ held in the capital recently. All hands went up in the air and faces lit up. The participants could almost see a part of their dream coming true.
The training course was organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Journalism and Electronic Media (BIJEM), the first non-governmental mass media institute of the country. Its founder Mirza Tarequl Qader was conducting the three-month training course attended by government and non-government officials, university and college students and members of various professional groups.
The workshop covered various aspects of television journalism like news reading skills and analysis, visual elements and their role in enhancing news value, the Bangladesh context and its relevance and how to cover package stories.
“All the participants had interesting questions and discussions about media and the role of journalists in the country. I tried giving them a sense of what’s in store for them if they end up pursuing careers on-air or off-air,” said Mirza Tarequl Qader, also the BIJEM Executive Director.
The BIJEM is the country’s first-ever government-registered mass communication, journalism and mass media-oriented institute. It started its journey in August, 2003.  The institute is imparting job-oriented, modern and standard education and training to students for 12 years.
Its mission is to build a skilled manpower resource for mass communication and other departments at an affordable cost, while its vision is to establish BIJEM as a full-fledged non-governmental journalism and mass media institute.
The programmes undertaken by BIJEM: In the backdrop of flourishing of print, electronic and online journalism across the country, BIJEM has been conducting standard education and training courses in all branches of journalism. Alongside, trainings on social media, public relations, film, art of advertisement, photography, photo journalism, professional video editing, handling of video camera, editing and publication, information and communication technology are also being conducted. Basic research on journalism and mass media and publication of books and journals on related subjects and creating mass awareness on mass media among greater population are parts of its activities. The institute organises seminars and workshops on journalism and mass media on regular basis.
Training courses: These courses include one-year diploma (correspondence) course on journalism, TV news presentation, TV journalism (TV news reporting), journalism foundation course (print, electronic & online), freelance journalism, art of writing, public relations & communication strategy, digital photography and photo journalism, professional video editing, video camera handling, web designing and development, graphics designing, 3G animation, computer fundamentals and spoken and written English.
Achievements & successes: BIJEM has created a rare example by imparting training to about 8,000 trainees including over 900 government and non-government officials within a period of 12 years. During the period, the institute did not receive any donation or assistance from government or non-government organisations and foreign donor agencies. Over 200 students who took training from BIJEM are working competently at various private TV channels including BTV. Of them, 118 are radio and TV news presenters and 79 TV and radio journalists. There are also programme presenters, producers, newsroom editors, video editors and cameramen. Apart from capital and divisional cities, over 400 students are working at various newspapers at grassroots level as staff reporters, feature writers, assistant editors, contributors, columnists, freelance journalists and writers. Many of them are also serving at various media houses and other organisations.
Publications & research: BIJEM has published a major compilation on ‘Public Relations & Publications’, which is first in its kind in Bangladesh. BIJEM ED Mirza Tarequl Qader has edited the same. Other publications are ‘Public Relations in Politics’ and ‘Public Relations & Media Directory.’ Several other books including ‘Public Relations Handbook’ will be published soon. The publications have been widely acclaimed by intellectuals and readers. At present, it has undertaken several research projects on journalism and mass media.
Seminars & workshops: BIJEM has organised many seminars and workshops on different occasions. The seminars which were acclaimed are: ‘Democratisation of Mass Media and its Development’ ‘Peelkhana Carnage: Role of Mass Media,’ ‘Independence of Mass Media: Role of Government’ and ‘Art of Writing Screenplay’ etc. Renowned journalists, educationists, intellectuals, retired army officers and renowned personalities of various classes and professions took part. News of the seminars and workshops were highlighted in national dailies, radio-television and online news portals.
Trainers: There are competent and experienced resource persons and trainers who underwent training courses from abroad. Besides own trainers, renowned journalists working at various print and electronic media, senior teachers working at different universities, noted news presenters, TV personalities, eminent writers, phoneticians, cameramen, video editors and information and communication technology experts acted as trainers.
Student’s facilities: BIJEM is equipped with modern computer lab, multimedia projector, laptop, handicam, professional TV camera and still camera, sound system, air-conditioned conference and class rooms. There is a modern library having local and foreign books and journals and fast Internet having WiFi facilities. BIJEM provides special facilities to insolvent but meritorious students, freedom fighters’ children, writers and journalists. The authorities of the institute provide an opportunity to intending trainers to pursue education giving concessions in course fees. Sometimes, cent percent fees are exempted from women trainees. Free training facilities for those coming from underprivileged class.  
Problems: Despite its success in conducting training courses on journalism, mass media, information & communication technology, BIJEM did not receive any grant from government or donations from foreign donor organisations. Financial insolvency is the main problem faced by this institute. It requires a large amount of money to materialise the plans undertaken by its authorities, such as modern sound lab, studio, professional camera & video editing panel, multimedia class room, digital library, press, research & publication. Financial assistance from government, non-government organisations and donations from donor organizations would help a lot in materialising the dream of its founder. The government’s good grace and a prompt step to this effect will help a lot in fulfilling the objectives of BIJEM.

The writer is a media activist.

BIJEM: Meeting the challenge of modern journalism education

Who wants to be a television journalist? asked Mirza Tarequl Qader, a noted media activist, public relations specialist, writer and researcher, at a training course on Electronic Journalism held in the capital recently. All hands went up in the air and faces lit up. The participants could almost see a part of their dream coming true. The training course was organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Journalism and Electronic Media (BIJEM), the first non-governmental mass media institute of the country. Its founder Mirza Tarequl Qader was conducting the three-month training course attended by government and non-government officials, university and college students and members of various professional groups. The workshop covered various aspects of television journalism like news reading skills and analysis, visual elements and their role in enhancing news value, the Bangladesh context and its relevance and how to cover package stories. All the participants had interesting questions and discussions about media and the role of journalists in the country. I tried giving them a sense of whats in store for them if they end up pursuing careers on-air or off-air, said Mirza Tarequl Qader, also the BIJEM Executive Director. The BIJEM is the countrys first-ever government-registered mass communication, journalism and mass media-oriented institute. It started its journey in August, 2003. The institute is imparting job-oriented, modern and standard education and training to students for 12 years. Its mission is to build a skilled manpower resource for mass communication and other departments at an affordable cost, while its vision is to establish BIJEM as a full-fledged non-governmental journalism and mass media institute. The programmes undertaken by BIJEM: In the backdrop of flourishing of print, electronic and online journalism across the country, BIJEM has been conducting standard education and training courses in all branches of journalism. Alongside, trainings on social media, public relations, film, art of advertisement, photography, photo journalism, professional video editing, handling of video camera, editing and publication, information and communication technology are also being conducted. Basic research on journalism and mass media and publication of books and journals on related subjects and creating mass awareness on mass media among greater population are parts of its activities. The institute organises seminars and workshops on journalism and mass media on regular basis. Training courses: These courses include one-year diploma (correspondence) course on journalism, TV news presentation, TV journalism (TV news reporting), journalism foundation course (print, electronic online), freelance journalism, art of writing, public relations communication strategy, digital photography and photo journalism, professional video editing, video camera handling, web designing and development, graphics designing, 3G animation, computer fundamentals and spoken and written English. Achievements successes: BIJEM has created a rare example by imparting training to about 8,000 trainees including over 900 government and non-government officials within a period of 12 years. During the period, the institute did not receive any donation or assistance from government or non-government organisations and foreign donor agencies. Over 200 students who took training from BIJEM are working competently at various private TV channels including BTV. Of them, 118 are radio and TV news presenters and 79 TV and radio journalists. There are also programme presenters, producers, newsroom editors, video editors and cameramen. Apart from capital and divisional cities, over 400 students are working at various newspapers at grassroots level as staff reporters, feature writers, assistant editors, contributors, columnists, freelance journalists and writers. Many of them are also serving at various media houses and other organisations. Publications research: BIJEM has published a major compilation on Public Relations Publications, which is first in its kind in Bangladesh. BIJEM ED Mirza Tarequl Qader has edited the same. Other publications are Public Relations in Politics and Public Relations Media Directory. Several other books including Public Relations Handbook will be published soon. The publications have been widely acclaimed by intellectuals and readers. At present, it has undertaken several research projects on journalism and mass media. Seminars workshops: BIJEM has organised many seminars and workshops on different occasions. The seminars which were acclaimed are: Democratisation of Mass Media and its Development Peelkhana Carnage: Role of Mass Media, Independence of Mass Media: Role of Government and Art of Writing Screenplay etc. Renowned journalists, educationists, intellectuals, retired army officers and renowned personalities of various classes and professions took part. News of the seminars and workshops were highlighted in national dailies, radio-television and online news portals. Trainers: There are competent and experienced resource persons and trainers who underwent training courses from abroad. Besides own trainers, renowned journalists working at various print and electronic media, senior teachers working at different universities, noted news presenters, TV personalities, eminent writers, phoneticians, cameramen, video editors and information and communication technology experts acted as trainers. Students facilities: BIJEM is equipped with modern computer lab, multimedia projector, laptop, handicam, professional TV camera and still camera, sound system, air-conditioned conference and class rooms. There is a modern library having local and foreign books and journals and fast Internet having WiFi facilities. BIJEM provides special facilities to insolvent but meritorious students, freedom fighters children, writers and journalists. The authorities of the institute provide an opportunity to intending trainers to pursue education giving concessions in course fees. Sometimes, cent percent fees are exempted from women trainees. Free training facilities for those coming from underprivileged class. Problems: Despite its success in conducting training courses on journalism, mass media, information communication technology, BIJEM did not receive any grant from government or donations from foreign donor organisations. Financial insolvency is the main problem faced by this institute. It requires a large amount of money to materialise the plans undertaken by its authorities, such as modern sound lab, studio, professional camera video editing panel, multimedia class room, digital library, press, research publication. Financial assistance from government, non-government organisations and donations from donor organizations would help a lot in materialising the dream of its founder. The governments good grace and a prompt step to this effect will help a lot in fulfilling the objectives of BIJEM. The writer is a media activist.