• A Rural Library Established by Media Studies Student

‘Virudcham’, a rural library that aims to encourage the reading habit among the children who are living in remote areas has been established in Senaippulavu, Mamadhu, Nedurnkerny by the effort of Ms. Sarumathy Nagaratnam, a third-year Media Studies student as an outcome of the course ‘Development Journalism’.

The ceremonial opening of the library was held on 27^th of December 2021 with the presence of the village people, school teachers, government officers, the representatives of the non-governmental volunteer organizations and the university students and academics.

The land and the new building for the rural library have been donated by the parents of the student and the books donated by the university students, the school community of Nedurnkerny Maha Vidhyalayam, ‘Sirahukal’ – a volunteer organization involved in facilitating rural libraries, Jaffna and Chunnakam Lions Clubs, ‘Puththaka Panpaaddu Peravai’ – Mallakam and well-wishers to the library.

• Sharing Session with Former Editor in Chief of 'Nation' English Newspaper

Mr. Arthur Wamanan Sornalingam, a versatile journalist from the Sri Lankan English newspaper field shared his experiences with Media Studies students in 'Reporting Conflicts' on 16th of December 2021.

Mr. Wamanan was the Editor-in-Chief of the Nation newspaper and covered humanitarian issues of the Northern and Eastern Provinces during the height of the last phase of the war in Sri Lanka. Further, he worked as an Assistant Manager – Media in 'Verite Research' and Deputy News Editor in 'Ceylon Today'.

• Media Studies Assisted the Workshop on 'Ethical and Conflict Sensitive Journalism' to the Youths Conducted by Caritas- HUDEC

The academic staff of the Media Studies invited as resource persons to the Workshop on 'Ethical and Conflict Sensitive Journalism' to the Youths, Conducted by Caritas- HUDEC Jaffna, the Social arm of the Catholic Church of Jaffna' on 13th of December, 2021.

The youths who are working in communication and media sector of the diocese of Jaffna and the second year Media Studies who are following Reporting as their one of the course units participated in the workshop.

The inauguration speech delivered by Revd. Fr. S. Eugene Francis, Director of HUDEC-Caritas Jaffna and the objectives of the workshop explained by Mr. Joseph Bala, Coordinator of the workshop. The workshop covered the areas of news and news values, feature writing, ethics in journalism and conflict sensitive reporting.

• Visit on Finalizing Interior Designing of ‘Incubator Space' at Media Studies

The visit of HELVETAS project team for finalizing interior design of the proposed incubator space which will be established under the Memorandum of Agreement signed between University of Jaffna and HELVETAS, held on 3rd of November 2021.

Ms. Chandula Kumbukage, Project Manager, HELVETAS, Ms. Sivashanthi, Project Officer, Inspire Project and Ms. Vithya Subhasranjan, Interior Designer were visited and conducted the discussion with the staff of Media Studies directly and students' representatives virtually.

Ms. Vithya Subhasranjan, Interior Designer elaborated the design to the university stakeholders and gathered the opinions to make the final submission.

• Special Seminar on Improving Communication and Media Literacy in Northern Province Schools - Session 3

The third session of the special seminar on 'Improving Communication and Media Literacy in Northern Province Schools' was conducted by the Department of Government Information with the collaboration of the Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna under the National School Media Club Promotion Program on 29th of October 2021.

The event was coordinated by Mr. Harsha B. Abeykoon, Assistant Director of Information, Department of Government Information. r. S. Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies spoke on the title of 'Transitional Stage and Trends of Mass Media during the Corona Period' and Ms. Sivapriya Sriram, Senior Lecturer, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University and Ms. Poongulaly Srisankeerththan, Lecturer, Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna delivered the lectures on 'Conflict Sensitive Journalism' and 'Contemporary Media Technologies : An Introduction' respectively.

• Ms. Suvanya Srithar, a Final Year Student Made a Landmark through her Debut Short Film 'Punkodai'

Under the project of 'Film for Dialogue' which was implemented by the Chrysalis, an affiliate organization of CARE International and funded by Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Ms. Suvanya Srithar, a final year Media Studies student produced a short film 'Punkodai' which speaks about an unspoken issue of the same-gender orientation under the gender sensitization and gathered a notable widespread viewership.

• Special Seminar on Improving Communication and Media Literacy in Northern Province Schools - Session 2

The second session of the special seminar on 'Improving Communication and Media Literacy in Northern Province Schools' was conducted by the Department of Government Information with the collaboration of the Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna under the National School Media Club Promotion Program on 07th of October 2021.

The event was coordinated by Mr. Harsha B. Abeykoon, Assistant Director of Information, Department of Government Information. Mr. Dinesh Koduthor, Lecturer, Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna delivered the lecture on 'Media Literacy', and Mrs. Anutharsi Gabilan, Lecturer, Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna and Mr. R. Joel Jairus, Lecturer, Department of Languages and Communication Studies, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University of Sri Lanka were delivered the lectures on 'Media Criticism' and 'Creative Communication - Films and Codes' respectively.

As a conclusionary session, the panel discussion was conducted by Prof. Keerthi Sriranjan, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Retired Professor Kamal Waleboda, Department of Mass Communication, University of Colombo, Dr.S.Raguram, Senior Lecturer / Head, Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna, Ms. Sivapriya Sriram, Senior Lecturer, Department of Languages and Communication Studies, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University of Sri Lanka and Ms. Poongulaly Srisankeerththan, Lecturer, Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna.

More than 250 participants including the teachers who are involved in teaching 'Communication and Media Studies' in schools and the students benefitted from this second session.

• Sharing Session on Reporting with Senior Journalists from Colombo based News Outlets

In relevant to the 'Reporting Techniques', a course unit of the second year second semester, two senior journalists were invited for the sharing sessions with the students virtually to get professional exposure in the field reporting.

The first session was conducted by Mr. Arun Arokianathan, Freelance Journalist and Media Instructor on 'Reporting in Modern Era' on the 29th of September 2021. Mr. Arun shared his vast experiences as a television reporter and the editor of 'Sudar Oli', a Tamil daily and presently a virtual editor of a Tamil website with the students and guided them to work in the modern contexts of the newsrooms.

The second sharing session was conducted by Ms. Krishni Kandasamy ifham, Senior Journalist on the 06th of October 2021 and she shared his experiences in reporting with the students. Its noteworthy that Ms. Krishni is a versatile journalist and having notable exposure in media activism in Sri Lanka.

• Special Seminar on Improving Communication and Media Literacy in Northern Province Schools

The Department of Government Information started the implementation of the National School Media Club Promotion Program since 2019 in collaboration with the School Curriculum Division of the Ministry of Education and the Media Subject Development Project Division of the National Institute of Education by an Advisory Committee consisting of Senior Academics and Professors of the University Mass Communication Studies Divisions.

On par with the above, the Director-General of Government Information requested the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jaffna to get the assistance of the Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna to implement the National Media Club Promotion Program in the Northern Province.

Accordingly, the 'Special Seminar on Improving Communication and Media Literacy in Northern Province Schools' was conducted virtually on 22nd September, 2021 for four hours. Mr. Mohan Samaranayake, Director General of the Government Information Department ceremonially opened the session by his keynote address. The event was coordinated by Mr. Harsha B. Abeykoon, Assistant Director of Information, Department of Government Information.

More than 350 participants including the teachers who are involved in teaching 'Communication and Media Studies' in schools and the students benefitted from this special seminar.

The project will be continued by conducting seminars, providing identity cards to the teachers in-charge of school media clubs and distributing facilities such as boards for wallpapers and assistance to organize exhibitions.

Vice chancellor's Address at Inauguration Ceremony of Higher National Diploma in Media Studies, University of Jaffna

• 'Kanali' Students' Magazine Released by the Vice-Chancellor

The students' magazine 'Kanali' - 2020 was ceremonially released by the Vice-Chancellor Prof.S.Srisatkunarajah at the virtual function on 17th of September 2021.

The release function was chaired by Dr.S.Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies and the Dean of the Faculty Dr. K. Suthakar graced the function as the guest of honour.

'Kanali' 2020 is consecutively released this time as the third issue from 2018 compiling features, articles, interviews, travel notes and different types of students' creative production as an outcome of learning reporting and learning of the second-year students.

At the beginning of the function, the welcome note given by Ms.A.Sankeerththana and the speech of the mentor was shared by Ms. Anutharsi Kabilan, Lecturer, Media Studies. The vote of thanks was given by A. Rohini.

The virtual training programme on ‘An Exploration of Creative Minds for Future Media’ covered the selected media and communication undergraduates of the University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayawardanepura and South Eastern University with the aim to encourage the exchange of ideas from different stakeholders.

Along with Digital Citizenship, the training will cover the themes of Freedom of Expression, Right to Information and Gender and Media and the undergraduates will become the member of InSPIRE network and get the opportunity to work with the media and communication undergraduates of other three state universities in addition to the experts’ inputs during the training.

At the virtual inauguration for the Media Studies students of University of Jaffna, the welcome address was delivered by Ms. Sivashanthi Sivalingam, Project Officer, HELVITAS and the Introduction of HELVETAS was given by Ms. Chandula Kumbukage, Project Manager, HELVETAS.

To start things officially, Dr. K. Suthakar, Dean of the Faculty of Arts send the message of wishes to the participants and it was presented by Dr. S. Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies at the virtual gathering.

Pre-test and the introduction of the trainer made by the session moderator Mohamed Azad, Programme Director, SDJF.

Dr. M.C. Rasmin led the training session providing a brief on the contextual background of the Digital landscape in Sri Lanka, digital footprint, rights, privacy and security of digital citizens and many other areas pertaining to the online space. The students were actively involved in answering questions and engaging in quizzes and games. The next training will be on Freedom of Expression.

• 'Community Radio and Web Radio' - A Sharing Session

Dr. M C Rasmin, Media Researcher and Consultant on Community Radio (CR) Projects and Studies shared his exposure to the Media Studies students on 'Community Radio and Web Radio' at the Sharing Session via online on 13th of June 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

He shared the history of the early efforts on the establishment of community radio in Sri Lanka and other countries in the South Asian region and had a lengthy discussion on the challenges faced on the survival of the community radio system at the local level.

He has conducted an interesting quiz session among the students and made them aware of the features and prospects of the community radio.

Further, he advised the students on using web radio to be the platform to the common people and describe the strategies to develop the idea of having a web radio at the Department of Media Studies through the 'Integrated Newsroom' project.

• Media Studies Students Won Top Level Prizes in Short Film Making on 'Combating Alcohol and Tobacco'

Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) Sri Lanka is a well-recognized resource center, promoting demand reduction of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and advocating effective policy the formulation for ATOD control nationally, regionally and internationally over the last 30 years. ADIC provides the technical input to the Ministry of Health, Regional Director of the Health Service (RDHS), MOH, Ministry of Education, District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Community Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development, local government authorities, National Authority on Alcohol and Tobacco (NATA), President Task Force on drug prevention in terms of technicality, educational/promotional materials on drug prevention, resource persons and information. ADIC is collaborating many field-level types of research and community-level experiments with the World Health Organization – Sri Lanka. ADIC is a member organization of the National Authority on Alcohol and Tobacco (NATA) and the Center for Combating Tobacco (CCT).

Furthermore, ADIC is conducting an internship Programme for students of the University of Colombo and University of Kelaniya, University of Rajarata, and National Institute of Social Development (NISD) with the acceptable guidelines from 2010.

On par with the above, with the facilitation of the Department of Media studies, Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) organized a competition to create short films on drug prevention and enhance university students' knowledge and skills in the year 2020. Although this program started during the Covid - 19 pandemic, it has had many successful results. Despite all the challenges, the event overcame the challenges and achieved the desired goals using virtual technology.

The following students are won the awards in the competition.

First Place : Ms. P. Sriviththiya (Third Year, Media Studies) - Won Award and Rs. 50,000.00 Cash Prize

Second Place: Ms. N.Sharumathy (Third Year, Media Studies) - Won Award and Rs. 30,000 Cash Prize

Third Prize: Ms. Kamsajini Premaraj (First Year, Media Studies) - Won Award and Rs. 20,000 Cash Prize

Fourth Prize : Mr. Raveenthiran Benaya (First Year, Media Studies) - Won Award and Rs. 10,000 Cash Prize

Dr. K. Suthakar, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Mr. Pubudu Sumanasekara, Executive Director - ADIC and Vice President -Movendi International announced the winners of the second, third and fourth places.

Dr.S.Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies described the importance of the participation of the students during pandemic period.

The staff of Media Studies and the students attended the event directly and virtually. Mr. Samapth De Seram, Director HR, Admin and Finance, ADIC, Mr. Amaranath Tenna, Programme Manager, ADIC, Mr. A.C.Raheem, Senior Programme Officer, ADIC and Ms. Nidarshana Selladurai, Programme Officer, ADIC were participated at the event from ADIC. Mr. A. Kodeeswaran, Coordinator of North and East Province, ADIC delivered the vote of thanks.

• Discussion on Interior Designing of ‘Incubator Space' at Media Studies

The virtual discussion on interior design of the proposed incubator space which will be established under the Memorandum of Agreement signed between University of Jaffna and HELVETAS, held on 30th of June 2021.

Ms. Chandula Kumbukage, Project Manager, HELVETAS, Mr. Sahithyanan, Project Officer, Inspire Project, Mr. Mohamad Azad, Program Director, SDJF and Ms. Vithya Subhasranjan, Interior Designer were attended and conducted the brain storm session with the staff of Media Studies and students' representatives for more than two hours.

The activities to be carried out at the incubator space, make use of available space, utilization of equipment and furniture, acquisition of local culture and other salient aspects relevant to interior designing were discussed at the meeting.

• Sharing Session on 'Sports Journalism'

The Senior Sports Journalist and Media Instructor Mr. Arun Arokiyanathan participated in the Sharing Session with Media Studies students via online on 27th June 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the title of 'Sports Journalism'.

Mr. Arun Arokiyanathan explained the important aspects in reporting sports and shared his experiences with the students about the career in sports journalism. He advised the students to have serous concern on background stories and in-depth reporting in covering sports personalities and sports events.

He further shared his thoughts on reporting sports as news pieces and writing features as a follow-up with interesting angles and opinions.

• Sharing Session on 'Reporting Parliament Sessions'

The senior Journalist and Political Analyst Mr. Amirthanayagam Nixon who is having more than ten years experience as a Parliament Correspondent for a national Tamil daily guided the students in reporting parliament sessions at the Sharing Session via online on 19th June 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mr. A. Nixon further explained the constitutional background of the formation and development of Sri Lankan parliament system, Standing order for Members of Parliament, Parliament Administration, Parliament businesses, Reporting Speeches of Members of Parliament, Hansard, Point of Orders and Parliament privileges to the students.

• Sharing Session on 'Broadcasting Media : The Sri Lankan Perspective' by Media Researcher and Consultant Dr. M C Rasmin

Dr. M C Rasmin, Media Researcher and Consultant shared his valuable experiences to the Media Studies students on 'Broadcasting Media : A Sri Lankan Perspective' at the Sharing Session via online on 18th June 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

He talked about the timeline changes in Sri Lankan broadcasting, Positioning radio in the information ecosystem, Landscape of radio medium in Sri Lanka, Radio audio concentration, Radio in media convergent era and Structure and language of radio programmes with appropriate examples.

The sharing followed by the discussion and Q and A session on different local parameters of broadcasting and its quality deliveries.

• Sharing Session on 'Current Trends and Scenario of International Media' by Senior Journalist Mr. A. Nixon

The senior Journalist and Political Analyst Mr. Amirthanayagam Nixon shared his views and present condition of the international media at the Sharing Session via online on 14th June 2021 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The session primarily aims to enhance the exposure of the fourth year students who are learning 'International Media Scenario' and provide awareness to the second and third year students on the field of global media.

Mr. A. Nixon explained the media monopoly, alternate media platforms at the global level and regional media conglomerates with references to the recent developments to the students.

• 'Siriththiran' - The First Satire Magazine in Tamil Provide Opportunity to the Young Cartoonist from Media Studies

The well-known Tamil Magazine 'Siriththiran' which considered as the first satire magazine in Tamil relaunched from year 2021 provide the opportunity to Mr. Selvarajah Vinoth, a fourth year Media Studies student and a young enthusiastic cartoonist by giving chance to draw the cover page cartoons in its recent issues.

It will be another avenue to the Media Studies students to enhance the talents in visualization of present contexts and place the critical views on contemporary issues.

• 'Balu Mahendra Library' Donated 1200 DVDs to Media Studies to Strengthen the Film Appreciation Movement in North

In order to reinitiate the Film Appreciation Movement in Northern Province and encourage the youngsters to involve in film productions, 'Balu Mahendra Library', the one and only film archive in North donated 1200 original DVDs of award winning films from different countries and various languages to the Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna on 20th of April, 2021.

The formal ceremony of handing over the donation was held at the board room of University of Jaffna and Prof.S.Srisatkunarajah, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jaffna received the donated DVDs from Mr. A. Yesurasa, Film Critic and well-known Writer on behalf of 'Balu Mahendra Library'.

Dr. K. Suthakar, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Dr.S.Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies, Mr. Dinesh Koduthor, Lecturer, Media Studies and staff and students participated at the event.

Ms. Ramya Deron, Chairperson of the Library, Ms. Kamjiny Ramakrishnan, Secretary, Mr. Ravindrtan Gobishanth, Treasurer, Mr. Ganeshalingam Pathurshan and Ms. Kunthavi Sivapalan, Members of Administrative Board, Ms. Praveena Balachandran, Librarian, Ms. Banusha Jeyachandran, Receptionist and the students of study programme attended the ceremony from 'Balu Mahendra Library'.

Prof.S.Srisatkunarajah, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jaffna appreciated the effort of Balu Mahendra Library' and requested Media Studies to form a Memorandum of Understanding with the Library for future endeavors in order to expand the collaborative activities.

• Sharing Session - Ms. Shawmiya Srikantharajah, Assistant Programme Manager, Capital TV

Ms. Shawmiya Sriskantharajah, Assistant Programme Manager, Capital TV and alumnae of Media Studies shared her experiences as a producer, announcer and anchor in television field with the Media Studies students on 15th of April 2021 via Zoom.

The students were motivated by her speech and enthusiastically participated in Q&A session.

She advised the students in her session to work with media while study the degree programme in order to apply the knowledge simultaneously in professional sphere.

The discussion was held at the Media Lab where the incubator center to be established, with the participation of the Head and staff of Media Studies.

Ms. Tania Perera (Political and Communication Section), Ms. Anne Vaugier-Chatterjee (Political and Communication Section), Mr. Francesco Damiani (Contract and Finance) and Nicolas Gerard (Cooperation) were attended from EU and Ms. Subhashi Dissanayake, Country Representative, HELVETAS, Ms. Chandula Kumbukage, Project Manager, HELVETAS and Mr. Mohamad Azad, Program Director, SDJF were participated from the implementing agencies.

• 'Thinakaran' National Tamil Daily Providing Space for the Feature Articles of Media Studies Students

'Thinakaran' National Tamil Daily from Lake House Publications which was founded in the year 1932, committed to provide a full page for the feature articles of Media Studies Students from January 2021.

The articles written by the students on social, cultural, economical issues and current affairs being published by 'Thinakaran' on its Friday issue and gathered the notable attention from its readers all over the island.

• Sri Lanka Press Institute Invited Media Studies Students to Participate in Collaborative Feature Writing

Under the title of 'Promotion of a Commemorative Culture and Peace in Sri Lanka', Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) Invited Media Studies Students to participate in collaborative writings particularly producing feature articles from their own landscape.

The purpose of this endeavour will work on the below objectives:

• Strengthening of the network of Tamil and Sinhalese media professionals

• Increasing media capacity in human rights reporting, with a focus on reconciliation and transitional justice

• Raising public awareness on reconciliation through publication and distribution of articles

The webinar regarded to the above conducted on 19th of March 2021 through virtual space and more than 100 students took part from all the batches of Media Studies and Ms. S. Thevagowry, Senior Journalist discussed various issues on writing feature articles and guided the students.

Ms. Mehala Harindrah , Manager- Finance & Administration and Ms. Arththy Ravivarman, Administrative Assistant were also participated in the event.

• Participation of Media Studies Students in the Discussion on 'What Makes Women Set Backed?'

The fourth year Media Studies students participated in the Virtual Discussion on 'What Makes Women Set Backed?' conducted by Law and Society Trust, a not-for-profit organization engaged in legal research, advocacy and human rights documentation in Sri Lanka. The discussion was held on 4th of February, 2021 and the participants analyzed the issues relevant to the social values which encourage the gender discrimination.