Cardiff University and Asian College of Journalism reach unique agreement

Attached image: (Front, left to right) Mr Sashi Kumar, Head of The Asian College of Journalism, signs the agreement joined by the Head of the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Professor Justin Lewis. Also present (rear, left to right) Mr Tim Holmes, School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Sandra Elliott, Cardiff University's Director of Communications and International Relations Division, Mr N Ram, Editor in Chief of the Hindu newspaper and Professor Duncan Bloy, School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies.

A unique agreement offering some of India’s most talented students the chance to develop their journalistic skills at Cardiff University has been signed.

Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies has signed a unique Memorandum of Understanding with India’s leading institute for journalism education, the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ).  The agreement will offer ACJ students the opportunity to convert their postgraduate diploma to a MA in Journalism at one of the UK’s centres of excellence in journalism teaching and research

Students will also be able to visit Cardiff to help them prepare for submission of their dissertations. It is hoped, as the agreement develops, that students will be able to prepare their dissertations at the Asian College with the help and advice of visiting academics from across the School. 

Professor Justin Lewis, Head of Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies said, “Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies is delighted to formally link-up with the Asian College of Journalism, in this unique way.  The successful implementation of this agreement will help provide Cardiff University with a number of opportunities to develop collaborative work with staff at the Asian College of Journalism and further establish Cardiff’s reputation for excellence in journalism not only in the UK but across India.”

The Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) is widely recognised as India’s leading journalism training school. Based in Chennai, it recruits students from all over India equipping them with journalism skills adapted to the specific needs of India and other developing countries in Asia.

The agreement was formally signed by Dr David Grant, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University and Sashi Kumar, Head of The Asian College of Journalism on an official visit to Cardiff University, this week.

Commenting on the agreement, Richard Thomas, Managing Director of Cardiff & Co said, “This is great news for Cardiff University but also for the Cardiff city-region.  Having individuals from other nations coming to Cardiff to train in influential jobs such as journalism will ensure that the city is in a position to develop a powerful network of advocates around the world who are in a position to influence huge numbers of people.  As a result, we’ll definitely be inviting those who come to Cardiff as part of this agreement to sign up to become Cardiff Ambassadors.” 

03/08/2009