Sheikh Arif Bulbon :
The Bangladesh Institute of Journalism and Electronic Media (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 13 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.
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.
While visiting the institute Mirza Tarequl Qader, a noted media activist, public relations expert, writer and also researcher, told this correspondent about the aim, objectives and activities of the BIJEM recently. Mirza Tarequl Qader is also Executive Director of BIJEM.
While talking about the training courses of BIJEM Mirza Tarequl Qader said, “These courses include one-year diploma (correspondence) course on journalism, TV news presentation, TV journalism (TV news reporting), journalism foundation course (print, electronic and online), freelance journalism, art of writing, public relations and 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.”
In fact, BIJEM has created a rare example by imparting training to about 10,000 trainees including over 1,000 government and non-government officials within a period of 13 years. During the period, the institute did not receive any donation or assistance from government or non-government organisations and foreign donor agencies. Over 250 students who took training from BIJEM are working competently at various private TV channels including BTV. Of them, 150 are radio and TV news presenters and about 100 TV and radio journalists. There are also programme presenters, producers, newsroom editors, video editors and cameramen. Apart from capital and divisional cities, over 500 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.
Therefore, BIJEM has published a major compilation on ‘Public Relations & Publications,’ which is first in its kind in Bangladesh. Mirza Tarequl Qader has edited the same. Other publications are ‘Public Relations in Politics’ and ‘Public Relations & Media Directory.’ Several other books 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.
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.
Mirza Tarequl mentioned that 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, he added.
Despite its success in conducting training courses on journalism, mass media, information and 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 and video editing panel, multimedia class room, digital library, press, research and publication. Financial assistance from government, non-government organisations and donations from donor organisations 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, Mirza Tarequl Qader said. n
The Bangladesh Institute of Journalism and Electronic Media (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 13 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.
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.
While visiting the institute Mirza Tarequl Qader, a noted media activist, public relations expert, writer and also researcher, told this correspondent about the aim, objectives and activities of the BIJEM recently. Mirza Tarequl Qader is also Executive Director of BIJEM.
While talking about the training courses of BIJEM Mirza Tarequl Qader said, “These courses include one-year diploma (correspondence) course on journalism, TV news presentation, TV journalism (TV news reporting), journalism foundation course (print, electronic and online), freelance journalism, art of writing, public relations and 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.”
In fact, BIJEM has created a rare example by imparting training to about 10,000 trainees including over 1,000 government and non-government officials within a period of 13 years. During the period, the institute did not receive any donation or assistance from government or non-government organisations and foreign donor agencies. Over 250 students who took training from BIJEM are working competently at various private TV channels including BTV. Of them, 150 are radio and TV news presenters and about 100 TV and radio journalists. There are also programme presenters, producers, newsroom editors, video editors and cameramen. Apart from capital and divisional cities, over 500 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.
Therefore, BIJEM has published a major compilation on ‘Public Relations & Publications,’ which is first in its kind in Bangladesh. Mirza Tarequl Qader has edited the same. Other publications are ‘Public Relations in Politics’ and ‘Public Relations & Media Directory.’ Several other books 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.
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.
Mirza Tarequl mentioned that 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, he added.
Despite its success in conducting training courses on journalism, mass media, information and 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 and video editing panel, multimedia class room, digital library, press, research and publication. Financial assistance from government, non-government organisations and donations from donor organisations 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, Mirza Tarequl Qader said. n
