Applications for this Short Course are now open
Applications will close 10 January 2022
Contemporary Skills for Effective Media in the Digital Age
Applications are now open for the Australia Awards Short Course on Contemporary Skills for Effective Media in the Digital Age (Sri Lanka and the Maldives). Funded by the Australian Government, this Short Course will build expertise amongst media personnel from Sri Lanka and the Maldives, who could become leaders in their fields and promote greater professionalism across the industry.
This Short Course will focus on building the capacity of personnel attached to diverse local media networks within the Sri Lankan and Maldivian media industry to enhance their skills in delivering quality programming, introduce concepts of professional ethics and grant exposure to professionals in Australia who are leading broadcasters in the global arena.
The Short Course will explore key thematic areas such as global media ethics and implications of the digital world, investigative journalism and political reporting, content development and communication techniques, emerging media innovations and artificial intelligence and strategic directions in media.
The course will be delivered in three virtual components between February and June 2022:
- preliminary activities will take place from 14 to 17 February
- core learning elements will take place over 6 weeks from 27 February to 07 April
- Applied Learning Activities will be 4 days of mentoring across four weeks (5, 12, 19 & 26 May 2022). As well as two half days on 8 & 9 June 2022.
The application deadline for this Short Course is 10 January 2022
Eligible applicants from personnel attached to the media industry (Print, TV, Radio, Digital and Social Media) from Sri Lanka and the Maldives who are willing to become leaders in their field and have the potential to apply the knowledge and experience gained through the course are encouraged to apply. A maximum of 25 participants will be selected.
Please read and ensure you understand the eligibility and selection criteria below, prior to applying.
General Eligibility Criteria
Nominees must:
- be Sri Lankan or Maldivian citizens and currently residing in Sri Lanka or the Maldives
- not have applied for or hold permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand
- obtain the necessary study approvals from their employer
- complete a Return to Work Plan with their supervisor
- demonstrate digital literacy including experience with online learning and meeting platforms
- be available to participate in the short course for the duration in accordance with the dates specified below
- meet the specific eligibility criteria for this short course and adhere to the application process detailed in this document
Further Criteria
To be eligible, nominees must also:
- Be currently working in a relevant area and will be emerging leaders or mid-level managers with relevant industry experience
- Have occupied their current position for at least 6 months.
- Not be retiring or being considered for transfer for at least one year from the conclusion of the Short Course
- Not have attended any previous Australia Awards Fellowships or Short Course
- Have stable internet connectivity as well as laptop/computer availability in order to access course content for download, webinar participation and live sessions
- Demonstrate a high level of English proficiency by providing a letter from employer confirming English language proficiency
- Be committed and available to participate virtually in each of the three major components of the Short Course by ensuring release from usual professional duties during the course delivery phases due to its demanding subject matter.
- Pre-liminary Learning Activities – will consist of three half days: (14 – 17 February 2022)
- Core Learning Elements – will be ten days across six weeks: (28 February – 7 April 2022)
- Applied Learning Activities – will be 4 days of mentoring across four weeks (5, 12, 19 & 26 May 2022). As well as two half days on 8 & 9 June 2022:
Candidates who have the potential to apply the knowledge and experience gained through course participation are encouraged. Selected applicants will be required to complete their negotiated ‘Return to Work Plan’ which will involve the implementation of observations and learnings obtained throughout the short course.
Female applicants, people with disability and people from traditionally marginalised groups and people residing in outer atolls are strongly encouraged to apply.
All nominees will need to complete their applications online through the Australia Awards – South Asia Short Course application portal by 10 January 2022.
Completed and eligible applications will be assessed and ranked based on the above criteria. A shortlist will be provided to the Australian High Commission in Colombo to finalise the selection process.
For more details on the candidate profile and selection criteria for this Short Course, please read the below document.
To apply for the Short Course, nominees must:
- register and access the online application on the Australia Awards – South Asia Short Course application portal
- select Contemporary Skills for Effective Media in the Digital Age from the drop-down menu as the course option
- complete and submit their applications online; no paper applications will be accepted
- upload all required supporting documents at the time of submission.
Only complete applications submitted by 10 January 2022 will be considered for assessment.
For inquiries, contact +94778820973 or +94778831194 on WhatsApp/Viber or email inquiries@australiaawardssrilanka.org or inquiries@australiaawardsmaldives.org