Unicaf University Sponsors NAMISA Media Awards
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An agreement has been signed between Unicaf University and NAMISA, the Media Institute for Southern Africa, Malawi chapter, for the award of a number of UNICAF scholarships for the Unicaf University Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree programmes. NAMISA is a non- governmental organisation, established to promote media freedom and freedom of expression, as well as to safeguard the competency and professionalism of journalists across southern Africa.
Unicaf University collaborates with various organisations in the countries it operates, to give back to society in a meaningful and sustainable way. By sponsoring the NAMISA Media Awards, Unicaf University exhibits its strong support to the media as agents for development and progress, while also helping promote journalistic excellence.
NAMISA Chairperson Teresa Temweka Ndanga and more than 15 journalists, members of the NGO in Malawi, attended the signing of the collaboration agreement. Speaking at the ceremony, Unicaf University Malawi campus Vice Chancellor Professor Kuthemba Mwale said he was grateful for this new union, which will serve in making the name of the University, its degree programmes and public events widely known, and will also inspire journalists to further their education, knowledge and skills.
NAMISA Chairperson, Ms Teresa Temweka Ndanga, expressed the organisation’s gratitude for what she described as “a historic partnership between UNICAF and NAMISA, and the broader media fraternity in the country…. that will motivate and inspire journalists and the media at large to strive for high standards of journalism”. She added that the Overall Winner Award, which will now include a full UNICAF scholarship for any degree programme of Unicaf University, is the most coveted of the NAMISA Media Awards and goes to the entry, which exhibits high quality reporting, accuracy, balance, fairness, takes into account the public interest and is based on solid research.
The NAMISA awards, which are presented every year on May 3rd, on World Press Freedom Day, aim to promote journalistic specialisation, by motivating journalists to focus on a particular field or subject, such as health, economics, or human rights. The entries to the competition are judged by a panel of experienced judges, taking into account their originality, impact, consistency, courage, investigation, analysis and gender awareness.
Ms Teresa Temweka Ndanga said that this year the Overall Winner of the NAMISA awards will receive a full UNICAF scholarship to further their studies, while any journalist member of NAMISA can apply for an 85% UNICAF scholarship to study towards any Unicaf University degree programme, opening up more opportunities for the entire sector, inspiring journalists to strive for excellence, thereby elevating media standards, both within the country and at the international level too.
For information about the range of degree programmes available from Unicaf University visit www.unicafuniversity.com
