DOHA: The Young Peninsula Journalist programme (YPJ), a unique venture undertaken by The Peninsula to help students develop a career in journalism, is reaching out regionally to students outside Qatar.
Recently, several students from various schools in Oman, who are eager to tread in a career of Journalism, participated in a one-week intensive YPJ programme in Doha. They were selected and led by Issa Khalfan Al Unqoudi, Deputy Director of Educational Technology Department of the Ministry of Education in Oman.
The students were introduced to the principles of journalism, print media, photography, cartoon illustration and In-design during the intensive course who will continue the course online.
"I am participating in this programme because I like writing and reading. Ever since I started to write, I have dreamed of seeing my writings printed on a newspaper or a magazine," said Haya Ali Al Mamari, representing the Atika School in Oman.
YPJ programme is the first initiative of its kind in the region, offering students, between the age of 13 and 17, to develop their strengths in the field of journalism and discover their creativity in writing, reporting, photography and illustration.
The Omani students had a field trip to Qatar's Museum of Islamic Arts, Souq Waqif and Dar Al Sharq printing press to have a brief introduction to the Qatari culture and write about their experience, which was a part of the intensive programme.
"It has been a dream for me since I was a little girl to be a journalist and let everybody know about everything that is happening in the world and to make them understand a little better about the world," said Khulood Mubarak Saeed Al Mazrooi from Shinas girls' school in Oman.
The Peninsula's vision is to enhance the youth's interest in the newspaper industry which is gradually declining due to other advanced means of communication available today.
The programme launched in November last year, has become a major success with 300 students undergoing training. In addition, the YPJ also caters to over 20 Shafallah trainees. The students' works are published on a monthly basis in a tabloid size newsletter along with The Peninsula.
By Erika Widen
© The Peninsula 2010
