CJEN Bangladesh Fifth Networking Conference 2022
Rationale:
Sectoral self-reflection will be at the center of the fifth CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference. It is about time for media studies and journalism educators to self-reflect as a group – reflect on the current situation, reflect on their vision and mission, reflect on their common practices. Self-reflection encourages self-awareness and consciousness about what we do, how we do and why we do things. In so doing, educators are able to identify areas for improvement. They learn what are their strengths and what are their weaknesses. They get to identify what works and what does not work.
In a 2019 study written by Genilo, Haque and Mahmud for DW Akademie, the authors analyzed the main discourses of media and journalism departments in the country – regarding their vision and mission statements. These statements represented the collective aspirations – what kind of graduates they want to produce. First, the departments aspire to produce skilled and ethical manpower for the media industry. Second, the departments hope to prepare their students for the world out there – making them responsible citizens, instilling in them liberal ideals such as the freedom of expression, tasking them to create solutions to problems within their contexts in Bangladesh.
In many ways, self-reflection requires all to answer major questions. Have far or how close are educators at achieving our stated objectives? How do they measure these achievements, milestones or setbacks? How are they doing with their teaching, learning and assessment? How are they doing with our co-curricular, internship and portfolio activities? How are their graduates doing when it comes to being accepted in relevant jobs and into advanced studies? How are their graduates faring at their jobs – do they quit and give up on their dreams, do they persevere and surmount the odds? Do media organizations appreciate their contributions and impacts to the profession and society as a whole?
It goes without saying then that self-reflection is a very painful process because of three major reasons:
- Self-reflection makes us feel vulnerable. Some people lack humility and you need humility in order to accept your faults and change for the better.
- Self-reflection makes us doubt ourselves and think that that we might be wrong. If we have been doing something for a long time, it is very difficult to entertain the thought that we may be wrong.
- Self-reflection is a fight with ourselves. There is a saying: “If we win from others, we are a hero, but if we win from ourselves, we are a sage.”
In order for CJEN Bangladesh to move forward, it needs to undergo this painful process. The only way media studies and journalism education can improve is through self-reflection. And, this is not only talking about individual or departmental self-reflection. It is about the assessment of the entire media studies and journalism education in the country. For the most time, educators have looked only at themselves and their departments but rarely assessed the entire community or the whole sector.
Hence, in the next CJEN Bangladesh networking conference, educators will go into self-reflection mode with the theme: Bangladesh’s Changing Mediascape: Roles, Challenges and Commitments of Journalism Schools.
Conference Details
Bangladesh’s Changing Mediascape: Roles, Challenges and Commitments of Journalism Schools
Who can participate
Bangladesh-based faculty teaching journalism, media studies, and communication courses in a government-recognized university and/or institute can join the conference.
Registration Fee
Participation in the conference is free of charge. But, all participants must register to be able to join the event.
Nourishment
All participants will be provided lunch and snacks during the conference. During the cultural night on the first day, dinner will be served. You need to indicate when you register if you will attend the cultural night.
Travel/Accommodation Subsidy
There are a limited number of travel/accommodation subsidies for faculty who reside outside Dhaka City. Please apply for the said subsidy when you register. Please expect to share your room with another faculty (same gender).
Certificates
All participants will be given a certificate of participation.
Pre-conference Session: 11 March 2022
Conference Registration Deadline: 24 April 2022
Conference Proper: 13 and 14 May 2022
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
Permanent Campus
688 Beribadh Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Research Building
House: 46, Road: 4/A, Satmasjid Road
Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh
- To set directions for activating and sustaining the journalism educators’ association in Bangladesh – Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network Bangladesh;
- To facilitate an open discussion regarding the future of media and journalism education in Bangladesh; and
- To understand how media and journalism departments can help the media industry with its transition into the Digital Era.
ULAB
The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) was founded by philanthropist Kazi Shahid Ahmed as a private university. The idea of the University was initiated at a public colloquium, in February of 2002, attended by leading academics, cultural figures, and entrepreneurs. The University was established with the objective of benefitting the higher education sector of Bangladesh by creating a competent workforce and informed citizens who are of service to the community, country, and the world. In this spirit, he created a place of learning where well-rounded students would be fully steeped in the values of their heritage yet trained to face the modern global workplace.
DW Akademie
DW Akademie strengthens the human right to freedom of expression. Together with our partners, we play a leading role in the development of free media systems, creating access to information, setting standards for education, and independent journalism.
Program Schedule
Opening Session
ULAB Welcome Speech
Prof. Imran Rahman
Vice Chancellor, ULAB
DW Akademie Welcome Speech
Priya Esselborn
Program Director Bangladesh, DW Akademie
Keynote: Changed Mediascape: Academe’s Response
Dr. Joey Alagaran
Asia-Pacific Regional Representative, Global Alliance for Partnership on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL)
Conference Introduction
Prof. Jude William Genilo
HoD, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB and
Chair, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference 2022
Conference Ground Rules
Nandita Tabassum Khan
Sr. Lecturer & UG Prog. Coordinator, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB and
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Moderator
Dr. Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal
Asst. Professor, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB and
Convener 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Plenary Session 1:
What is Wrong with Journalism Education in Bangladesh?
11:30 AM ~ 12:30 PM
Keynote: The Unpopularity of Journalism Education in Bangladesh
Prof. Jude William Genilo
HoD, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB and
Chair, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference 2022
12:30 PM ~ 01:00 PM
Research Findings Presentation
Feedback from Our Students: What I Wish My Faculty Would Do and Would Not Do?
Dr. Abdul Kabil Khan
Asst. Professor, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Moderator
Dr. Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal
Asst. Professor, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB and
Convener 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Plenary Session 2:
Bangladesh’s Mediascape Has Changed Once Again
03.00 PM ~ 04:30 PM
Roundtable Discussion 1: The future of media industry – new approaches and business models
Moderator
Nandita Tababssum Khan
Sr. Lecturer & UG Prog. Coordinator, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Discussants
Dil Afrose Jahan
Freelance Journalist
Sabbir Ahmed
Mobile Journalist
Mohsin Ul Hakim
Special Correspondent, Jamuna TV
Harun Ur Rashid
Executive Editor, Daily Somoyer Alo
Moderator
Nandita Tababssum Khan
Sr. Lecturer & UG Prog. Coordinator, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
04:30 PM ~ 06:00 PM
Roundtable Discussion 2: How journalism schools can help with the media industry transition
Moderator
Mamunor Rashid
Asst. Professor, MCJ, Khulna University
Discussants
Prof. Abul Mansur Ahmed, MCJ, DU
Prof. Jude William Genilo, MSJ, ULAB
Shrifa Umma Shirina, Barisal University
Jewel Das, Port City Int’l University, Chattogram
Evening Speech, Cultural Night and Networking Diner
07:00 PM ~ 07:30 PM
Keynote: Constructive Journalism
Dr. Esther Dorn-Fellermann
Conference Program Manager, Deutsche Welle – Media Services GmbH
Moderator
Muhammad Aminuzzaman
Senior Lecturer, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
07:30 PM ~ 09:00 PM
Student Performance and Networking Dinner
Plenary Session 3:
What is Right with Journalism Education in Bangladesh?
Keynote: Media and Journalism Schools: Best Practices, Lessons Learned
Dr. James Gomez, Asia Centre, Thailand
11.30 AM ~ 12:30 PM
Research Findings Presentation
Media and Journalism Education: Challenges Ahead, Needed Response
Dr. Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal, Asst. Professor and Coordinator – Graduate Program, MSJ, ULAB; and, Convener, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference 2022
Moderator
Aminul Islam, Lecturer
Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Session for Students: Workshop on Mobile-first Journalism: Creating Native Content for Social Media Platforms
Instructors
Dr. Abdul Kabil Khan
Asst. Professor, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Rajib Nandy
Asst. Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism
University of Chittagong
Closing Session
Action Plans: Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network Bangladesh
Dr. Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal
Asst. Professor and Coordinator – Graduate Program, MSJ, ULAB; and
Convener, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference 2022
Introduction of Next Conference Host
Md. Mosharof Hossain
Assistant Professor, Stamford University
Closing Speech
Dr. Esther Dorn-Fellermann
Conference Program Manager, Deutsche Welle – Media Services GmbH
and
Prof. Jude William Genilo
HoD, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB and
Chair, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference 2022
Vote of Thanks
Nandita Tabassum Khan
Sr. Lecturer & UG Prog. Coordinator, Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB
Member, Organizing Committee, 5th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference
Moderator
Md. Mosharof Hossain, Stamford University
Featured Speakers
Steering Committee
Organizing Body
Organizing Partners
