RIYADH, 14 June 2005 — Saudi Association for Media and Communication (SAMC) signed an agreement with Riyadh-based Alfaisal International Academy (ALFAC) to train Saudi men and women in the field of mass communication.
The two-year agreement was signed on Sunday by Chairman of the Training Council of SAMC Dr. Fahad Al Askar and General Manager of ALFAC Ahamed Al Taweel in the presence of SAMC President Dr. Ali Al-Karni.
“Under the program, we will try to train as many Saudis as possible to update their skills and knowledge on the recent advances in the field of journalism,” Al-Karni told Arab News, adding that the program will cover the nationals who are working for the print and electronic media in the Kingdom.
He said that initially, a consultative committee would be set up to identify the areas of programs needed for Saudi working journalists attached to various organizations in the Kingdom. The panel, made up of members of the two organizations, will visit media organizations and television centers to evaluate the standard of the working journalists and design the training programs to meet their needs. Some of the SAMC members who have overseas training in mass communication will also participate in tutoring the participants of the training sessions
“We hope to include short-term and long-term courses depending on the requirements of the career, mid-career professionals and even youths who have a flair for journalism,” Al-Karni added.
Founded three years ago, SAMC has a membership of more than 1,200 media experts and journalists from the Kingdom, Arab countries, the United States and Europe. It is the only body in the GCC to be affiliated to the Canada-based International Federation of Communications (IFC).
Membership is open to all local and expatriate journalists in the Kingdom. It also conducts regular training programs and seminars for journalists in the Kingdom.
In October last year, SAMC conducted an international symposium on “The image of Saudi Arabia in the world” in Riyadh. Al-Karni said arrangements are being made to hold a similar conference on, “Teaching and Training of Media in the Arab world” in November this year. Media and academic personalities from around the globe have been invited to present papers related to the theme. This year, he said, the association has plans to give awards to dignitaries who have rendered distinguished service in the field of media.
ALFAC is the largest private training and professional development institution in the Kingdom. Currently, it conducts computer programming and English language learning courses.
