The InSPIRE project conducted a series of the practical training programmes for the Media Studies students of the University of Jaffna, as individual sessions and collaborative sessions with the University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and South Eastern University under the theme, ‘An Exploration of Creative Minds for Future Media’.
The training programmes were organized by the Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum (SDJF) as a part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between the Helvetas Intercooperation gGmbH and the University of Jaffna.
The training programmes covered Multimedia article writing/Blog, Digital storytelling, Mobile Journalism, Cartoon/Doodle expression, Digital Drama, Short film and Mobile/DSLR Photography. The overall goal of this training program was to provide practical exposure and expert coaching for the students to produce quality media products for the inter-university competition.
The students requested to select their interest fields for the training sessions and the all the sessions are coordinated by Mr. Antony Yesuradnam Sri, the Liaison Officer of the Programme and the staff of the Media Studies Ms. Poongulaly Srisangeerthanan, Mr. Dinesh Koduthor, Ms. Anutharsi Gabilan, Ms. P. Sivatharsiny and Ms. R. Roshani.
The training sessions were conducted as follows:
1.Inauguration and Training Session on 'Multimedia Article & Blog'
The inauguration of the programmes was held in Jaffna on 22.01.2022 and the Professor. K. Suthakar, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna and Dr.S.Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies were invited as guests. Mr. Azad Mustaffa, Programme Director, SDJF has chaired the function.
The training on ‘Multimedia Article & Blog’ was conducted on the 22nd and 23rd of January 2022 at Green Grass Hotel, Jaffna and the training was given by Dr. M.C. Rasmin. The total number of 47 students of Media Studies benefitted including 18 students from 1st year, 12 students from 2nd year, and 17 students from 3rd year of studies.
2.Training Session on 'Cartoon Art and Doodle Animation'
The training on ‘Cartoon Art and Doodle Animation’ was conducted on the 29th and 30th of January 2022 at Green Grass Hotel, Jaffna, and the training was given by Mr. Saranga Narampanawa, Ms. D. Ruwanthi and Dr. M.C. Rasmin. The total number of 29 students of Media Studies benefitted including 09 students from 1st year and 20 students from 2nd year of studies.
3.Training Session on 'DSLR Photography'
The training on ‘DSLR Photography’ was conducted on the 04th & 05th of February 2022 at Green Grass Hotel, Jaffna, and the training was given by Mr. Lahiru Wanigasekera and Mr. M.M. Aswer. The total number of 46 students of Media Studies benefitted including 10 students from 1st year, 11 students from 2nd year, and 25 students from 3rd year of studies.
4.The Training Sessions on 'Mobile Photography'
The training on ‘Mobile Photography’ as an Inter-Universities session was conducted on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of February 2022 at Hotel Janaki, Colombo, and the training was given by Mr. Isbahan Sharfdeen and Mr. Kapila Ramanayake. The total number of 26 students of Media Studies benefitted from the 2nd year of studies.
Parallel to the session on Colombo, the training on ‘Mobile Photography’ was conducted on the 12th and 13th of February 2022 at Tilko Hotel, Jaffna, and the training was given by Mr. M.M. Aswer and Dr. M.C. Rasmin. The total number of 51 students of Media Studies benefitted including 15 students from 1st year, 14 students from 2nd year, and 22 students from 3rd year of studies.
5.The Training Sessions on 'Mobile Video Storytelling' and 'Short Film'
The training on ‘Mobile Video Storytelling’ as an Inter-Universities session was conducted on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of February 2022 at Hotel Janaki, Colombo, and the training was given by Mr. Ruwan Bogamuwa and Mr. Kapila Ramanayake. The total number of 15 students of Media Studies benefitted including 09 students from 1st year and 06 students from 2nd year of studies.
Parallel to the session on Colombo, the training on ‘Short Film’ was conducted on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of February 2022 at Tilko Hotel, Jaffna, and the training was given by Mr. M.M. Aswer and Dr. M.C. Rasmin. The total number of 33 students of Media Studies benefitted including 10 students from 1st year, 15 students from 2nd year, and 08 students from 3rd year of studies.
6.The Training on 'Mobile Video Story' as an Inter-Universities Session
The training on ‘Mobile Video Story’ as an Inter-Universities session was conducted on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of February 2022 at Hotel Suisse, Kandy, and the training was given by Mr. Ruwan Bogamuwa and Mr. Isbahan Sharfdeen. The total number of 19 students of Media Studies benefitted including 06 students from 2nd year and 13 students from 3rd year of studies.
7.The Training Session on 'Digital Drama'
The training on ‘Digital Drama’ was conducted on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of March 2022 at Hotel Janaki, Colombo and the training was given by Dr. M.C Rasmin, Mr. A.R. Yashodaran, and Ms. Sachitra Rahubadda. The total number of 12 students of Media Studies benefitted including 10 students from 1st year and 02 students from 2nd year of studies.
8. The Final Session on 'Idea Market'
The final session on ‘Idea Market’ was conducted on the 2nd of April 2022 at Tilko Hotel, Jaffna and the guidance was given by Mr. Lahiru Wanigasekara (DSLR Photography), Dr. M.C Rasmin (Multimedia Articles and Blogs), and Mr. M.M. Aswer (Mobile Photography) and Ms. D. Rwanthi (Cartoon Art and Doodle Animation). The total number of 74 students of Media Studies benefitted including 13 from 1st year, 40 students from 2nd year, and 21 students from 3rd year of studies.
The ‘Idea Market’ aimed to serve as a platform for the students to pitch their stories and ideas for the inter-university competition submissions in their respective participating categories. The ‘Idea Market’ consists of mentors to offer feedback and guidance to the students. After their story pitches and feedback, the students can keep in touch with the mentor throughout the period of their productions.
