By Tanu Jalloh
Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone has described the Memorandum of Understanding he signed with the Africa Young Voices Media Empire on Tuesday, as a strategic move aimed at tackling graduate unemployment in the country.
Professor Ekundayo Thompson said the practical skills the students of the mass communication department of Fourah Bay College, FBC in particular would gain from internships at AYV would equip them to create their own jobs.
“The University is proud to be associated with a forward-looking organisation like AYV", he said adding that they looked looked forward to a successful implementation of the MOU in the interest of both institutions.
CEO of AYV Media Empire, Anthony Navo, told the University authorities that even before the formal signing of the agreement, his organisation had engaged interns from FBC “who who are doing well”.
He said as AYV expands its operations throughout the country, there will be need to involve many other young people who show the necessary aptitude and commitment.
Navo said: “AYV is determined to train the next generation of communication professionals who will help develop Sierra Leone".
According to the MOU AYV agrees, among other things, to absorb interns from the Mass Communication Department in all of its units where they will be exposed to state-of-the-art equipment in both its radio and TV stations; facilitate the printing of the quarterly teaching newspaper, Aureol Torch, at a minimal cost and facilitate co-productions particularly for television, using the facilities of AYV.
On the other hand the University will “approve students of the Mass Communication Department and other relevant Departments interested in serving as interns at AYV, while ensuring that such students are not exploited; provide expertise for AYV in developing projects for funding; certify candidates for short term training projects and allow AYV to use the University campuses to film and undertake other related activities”.
Meanwhile, both parties to the agreement will name a liaison to be the focal person for the execution of the MOU.
(C) Politico 17/03/16
