New university fellowship for Asia-based journalists

Accomplished journalists from across the region are being invited to spend three months in Singapore under the new Asia Journalism Fellowship programme at Nanyang Technological University (NTU)’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. The inaugural programme, launched by Temasek Foundation and NTU, will run from February through April 2009.

Up to 15 journalists will be selected for the fully-funded fellowship. Fellows will be given the opportunity to pursue their own intellectual interests away from the usual deadline pressures of their jobs. The programme also includes seminars and workshops to sharpen professional skills and deepen participants’ understanding of latest trends in media and communication at a time of rapid and sweeping change.

“Journalists everywhere long for the time to reflect more deeply on their profession and the issues they cover,” said Dr Cherian George, acting head of the journalism programme at Wee Kim Wee School. “They are in constant output mode, with precious little time for reflection and personal improvement. It’s an occupational hazard. With the support of Temasek Foundation, NTU is able to offer experienced journalists from the region some quality time to prepare for the next stage of their professional careers.”

The fellowship also addresses another regret often expressed among journalists in Asia: many do not know their Asian neighbours well, having had few opportunities to interact with fellow professionals from across the region. “This programme will hopefully allow the journalists to build friendships and networks and they may find interesting opportunities to work together in future. Relationship building is very much a part of our Asian culture,” said Mr Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Foundation.

The fellowship will also introduce the journalists to key newsmakers in Singapore’s public sector, business community and civil society, providing insights into the workings of Singapore and its future challenges. “Wherever in Asia the fellows come from, we can be sure that Singapore will strike them as very different, despite the shared Asian heritage,” said Associate Professor Benjamin Detenber, Chair of the Wee Kim Wee School. “There’ll be opportunities for them to discover more about this city state.”

Details of the programme, including application instructions, are available on the web at www.ajf.sg, or by contacting Ms Jacquelene Teo at teosl@ntu.edu.sg. Applications are due by 10 November 2008.