The Course

You've finished your school career and all the exams that go with it. You're eager to widen your horizons, to experience the world of opportunities that awaits you. But you're not sure which direction you want to take;because there so much out there..

Perhaps you're someone with an interest in media, for writing or for communicating with the masses on TV or radio. Perhaps you want to address issues on society, women, youth etc., or are taken up with the world of advertising. On the other hand, perhaps you have the potential of becoming a good PR person. We know it's a tough decision to make. That's why this one-year Diploma Course in Journalism and Communication will help anyone aspiring to be professionals in media-related vocations, to choose the careers they want to pursue. Be it journalism, (print, TV,radio), advertising or public relations, you will receive a solid grooming in both the theoretical and practical aspects of each profession.

The Structure

The entire course in Journalism and Communication is structured in two components. The first is the compulsory core curriculum of six months, where you will attend the lectures of those renowned in their field of the media industry. The second is an intensive training internship in either newspaper, radio or television journalism, advertising or public relations at a media house or agency. Each training module is optional and of eight weeks duration.

The Subjects

This Diploma Course is conducted entirely in English at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, the first institute in the country to offer an integrated pre-entry training course for media-related vocations. Each participant will be trained in:

* Print Journalism - investigative reporting, writing ethical articles, editing and proofreading;

* Radio Journalism - conducting interviews, documentaries, talk shows and music programmes on air;

* TV Journalism - filming equipment, what a shoot is, how and where you can shoot, editing films, ads, programmes, documentaries etc;

* Advertising - creating ads, writing radio jingles, conceptualizing campaigns, planning media strategies;

* Public Relations - media relations, corporate image building, crisis and issues Management

English for Communication, Media Law and Communication Ethics also form an integral part of the curriculum.

Visiting Faculty

All participants of this course will be exposed to the knowledge and expertise of senior media professionals and leading practitioners in their respective fields of communication.

Diploma in Journalisum and Comunication Graduates.

what they say and where they've got to

Delon Weerasinghe-Assistent Editor/Director, Wrop Factory

"The course was a very useful thing to have in my pocket, because it gave me a good, solid base of knowledge about so many different fields in moss communication. This was the only course that offered any sort of training in TV, and the best thing about it was that I got to know so many people in this line of work."

Shafeeka Gunasekere- Account Executive, Bates Strategic Alianc

"This course gave me a lot of insights and lots of confidence to make my stand in the career I've always wanted. The syllabus is wide and sound and it gave me an excellent "hands-on" training In advertising. I really think that this course should be followed by anyone who wants a career in any media-related field."

Enoka Fernandupulle- PR Executive, The Rowlend Company

"The syllabus was really useful, because it gave me the basic fundamentals I needed. It also gave me the direction 'and motivation I was looking for to pursue my career. The course has a good balance of both theory and practical, and I gained a lot of hands-on experience during that one year, which I wouldn't have got from anywhere else."

Gayintha Samarawickrame- News Reporter,ABC Radio

"The practical training side of the course was excellent, because it gave me the training, experience and insights I needed to pursue my career in radio, and which I couldn't get from any other place. The intensive training is a really good idea, since there's no other course in the country which gives you that"."

Jayanthi Kuru Utumpala-Jornalist, Daily Mirror

"I really liked the intern part of the course, because I learned the ropes straight on. l got a solid grooming in both the theory and practical side of journalism, as well as all the other media fields. I had fun, and it was informative and educative. I'd definitely recommend this course to anyone who's interested in this line of work."

Nathsha Gunawardene-Copy Writer, Bates Strategic Aliance

"After I sat for this course, l knew what I wanted to do with my life. It gave me the direction and guidance I was looking for after my A/L's, which I didn't get from anywhere else. And the course is good, because I learned so much about every field in media, not just advertising. There's no other course in the country for people like me."

Laila Nasry-Permenant Freelancer,Sunday Times.

"The course really helped me become the ethical journalist l am today. And what l really like about this course, is that it gave me a thorough grounding in all the different fields of communication. l know a little bit about everything now, and the course itself is so much of fun and so interesting."

Qualifications

School-leavers who have passed the GCE Ordinary level Examination with a minimum credit pass in English or an equivalent examination, as well as those graduates who wish to take to careers in journalism and communication in the English language, are eligible to apply for this course.

The Sri Lanka Foundation Institute has the capability and the necessary facilities to cater to approximately 40 students per each course. All applicants will be chosen on the basis of a written test and an interview. The course fee is Rs. 30,000. Scholarships are available for a few deserving students.

Enrolment

The fourth Diploma Course in Journalism and Communication is scheduled to commence on the 19th of September, 2000. The closing date for applications will be the 17th of July, 2000. The prospectus and application form are available at the SIFI Project Office.

For Futher infomation

If you wish to enrol for this Diploma Course in Journalism and Communication, or you need more information, please contact:

The Course Director

Diploma in Journalism and Communication

Sri Lanka Foundation Institute

100, Independence Square

Colombo 07

Tel: 695249, 698044

Fax:675413,691028

SRI LANKA FOUNDATION INSTITUTE

100, Independence Square,

Colombo 07
