The gesture, according to MRC, is to lessen the financial burden on these students and for them to focus on their academic and professional development without challenges.
Chairman of Media Run Challenge, Abdoulie Jawo, recalled that MRC had announced the launch of its new scholarship programme designed to support the educational endeavours of their dedicated members at MAJAC, especially those who face financial hurdles.
“This pilot initiative is not just a financial investment in the future of individual journalists and communication officers. It is an investment in the bedrock of society, knowledge and information by providing this much needed assistance, the media on telling reaffirms its unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education, especially with our field or within our field, ensuring that those who strive to inform and educate our communities can do so without the burden of financial constraints.”
Jawo revealed that they have identified seven students, four ladies and two gentlemen, who he added, are currently enrolled at MAJaC pursuing their final stage of Advanced Diploma program.
He noted that have they decided to launch the initiative in a form of signing ceremony where the beneficiaries and the Media Run Challenge will sign a bond to this effect.
This pilot scholarship initiative, he added, will cover 50% tuition fee for these selected students for the duration of their current programme at Media Academy for Journalism and Communication.
On his part, Sang Mendy, Managing Director of MAJaC, said he expected a pilot initiative to start with 1, 2, 3, students, but that seven is a huge number and he lauded all those who in one way or the other participated in the event.
“The credit goes to everyone who has one way or the order participated in a media run challenge and participating means attending our biweekly runs. You have made a game and the game is that through your efforts by waking up every Saturday or every two Saturdays, to go to the run, it is what it actually takes to pay tuition fees for some students.” he said.
He thus encouraged media personnels to endeavor to participate in the run for more development.
Mustapha Mbye, Communication Specialist ChildFund The Gambia, re-assured their continued support to the Media Run, further expressing their commitment to contributing in the scholarship package.
