The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Rajshahi (RU) and the local daily Sonar Desh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to enhance practical journalism education and strengthen media standards in northern Bangladesh.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at Room 123 of the department by Prof Mozammel Hossain Bokul (Sajjad Bokul), chair of the department, and Akbarul Hasan Millat, editor of Sonar Desh.
The initiative is part of the project titled "Strengthening Journalism Education and Practice in Northern Bangladesh," launched by Deutsche Welle Akademie and implemented by the South Asia Centre for Media in Development (SACMID).
Speaking at the event, SACMID Executive Director Kamrul Ahsan said journalism students cannot develop professional competence through classroom instruction and examinations alone. He stressed the importance of providing opportunities for hands-on reporting and newsroom experience to help students acquire practical skills throughout the year.
Jimmy Amir, representative of Deutsche Welle Akademie, said the rapidly evolving global media landscape requires students to gain practical experience beyond their academic coursework. He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between universities outside Dhaka and regional media organisations so that students can learn journalism through real-world practice, while news organisations can benefit from academic research and professional support.
Editor Akbarul Hasan Millat described journalism as a dynamic and practice-oriented profession, saying that classroom knowledge must be complemented by field experience. He also underscored the importance of maintaining professional ethics and objectivity despite increasing technological challenges and other pressures facing the media.
Senior Professor Mashiur Rahman said the MoU would create a direct bridge between academic learning and professional journalism, enabling students to gain first-hand newsroom and field reporting experience.
In his remarks, Prof Mozammel Hossain Bokul said many MoUs remain symbolic, but both institutions are committed to ensuring the effective implementation of this agreement. He expressed hope that the partnership would open new avenues for education and research.
Under the agreement, outstanding reports produced by students will be considered for publication in Sonar Desh. The department will also arrange professional training for the newspaper's journalists. In addition, three to five students will be offered internship opportunities at the newspaper, while exposure visits will be organised as part of the academic curriculum.
The department also highlighted the growing importance of establishing fact-checking desks in news organisations to combat misinformation and disinformation.
The event was attended by Jimmy Amir of Deutsche Welle Akademie, SACMID Executive Director Kamrul Ahsan, Senior Professor Mashiur Rahman, Prof ABM Saiful Islam, Associate Professors Kazi Mamun Haidar, Dil Afroza Khatun and Amena Khatun, along with teachers, students and representatives of the partner organisations. The programme was moderated by SACMID's Yasin Ahmed (Jibu).
