Amity University organized a five-day virtual training programme “MEDIA AFFAIRS: COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT” for twenty five members of the official media of The Government of Guyana from May 30, 2021 to June 4, 2021. The training was organized under the Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation Programme (ITEC) sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The five-day training programme--Media Affairs-Communication and Engagement was facilitated by the Amity Institute of Training and Development and the Amity School of Communication, wherein faculties of Amity and eminent media personalities engaged with various aspects such as Communication Planning and Strategy, Building and Leveraging Media Relations’, Managing image on social media, How to engage audiences through storytelling, Public Speaking and Speech Writing; Effective presentation skills, How to face the camera and engage with the media; How to debunk fake news and deal with disinformation and Crisis Communication and Reputation Management. The training programme not only laid stress on theoretical aspects of writing, communicating but also deliberated on the importance of presentation skills and the art of Public speaking
Congratulating the participants of the training programme during the Valedictory Function held virtually, Hon’ble Ms Savitri Sonia Parag, Minister of Public Service, Government of Guyana said, “ This partnership is important for Guyana. Accomplishment of my country is attributed to the mass media for disseminating information to the people responsibly and correctly, which is also very important for every society to progress . Media training should be conducted for effectively delivering messages. Being skilled Journalist is one thing but acquiring necessary skills is important and I am impressed that the participants have undertaken the training energetically, despite their demanding and busy schedules”. She thanked Amity for the valuable efforts in training her media personnel and was hopeful to more of future collaborations between India and Guyana.
Delivering the Valedictory address, His Excellency Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India to Guyana said, “India attaches high importance with Guyana and is committed to working closely with Guyana, in the UN and in the CARICOM. India has been contributing through capacity building programmes for Guyana since four decades. This was a special course and curriculum which was designed to cater to Guyanese media professionals. The results are for everyone to see”. He advised participants to share feedback of the programme so that more of such programmes can be initiated after improvisation. He thanked the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Guyana, the Ministry of Public Service, Guyana and Amity University for this programme.”
Applauding the participants on the successful completion of the training Dr Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group of Institutions thanked the Ministry of External affairs for initiating this unique programme and remarked that collaborative arrangements with Guyana and India are more successful because English is common to both countries. He expressed his desire to organize more of such programmes which will show a path to many countries for promotion and growth .
During the Valedictory address, Mr Somnath Chatterjee, Director (DPA II), Ministry of External Affairs said, “On behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs, I convey my heartfelt congratulations to all participants or attending this training. This is a specially designed training programme for Guyana. We hope the experience and learning will hold you in good stead.”
Dr Nitin Batra, CEO Amity Institute of Training and Development (AITD) in his address said, “Guyana and India share much in common. Despite the challenging times faced by most countries, the need of the hour is to keep ourselves above crisis and learn lessons. It was a particular passion and interest for us to connect with colleagues from across a different time zone but perhaps with the same beliefs and same heart,’’ he added.
Sharing her thoughts about the programme , a participant Mrs Suelle Findlay Williams, Director Press and Publicity, Office of the Guyanese President, said, “I want to commend Amity for putting together such a comprehensive programme particularly when it comes to communication gaps. There are quite a few nuggets that I would definitely incorporate in my work. For example, How to use digital media for maximum publicity, how to craft a story and also that good stories are beyond space and time,’’
Mr Tyrone Rambacchus, another participant said, “The knowledge that I gained has definitely allowed me to view certain things differently in respect to my functions as a Digital Communications Officer. I feel better equipped to tackle challenges in terms of handling the affairs of the Government,’’
“ I am equipped with new information and techniques which will be very much helpful to me with carrying out my day to day work duties in a much better way,’’ echoed another participant Ms. Genica Hooper.