The Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network (CJEN) Bangladesh is a not for profit organization.  Initiated in February 2018, the association seeks to build mutual understanding among the country’s media, journalism and communication academics.  It also aims to serve as a platform for knowledge co-creation and teacher capacity building in order to improve the quality of media education in Bangladesh.

Initiatives to form the association may be traced to DW Akademie project: “Media Development in Rural Areas: Supporting Community Radios and Journalism Education in Bangladesh.”  The project’s overall aim was to professionalize the journalism sector so that it can better perform its roles as a fourth estate and as facilitators of dialogue.  Concretely, the project sought to improve journalism education at the University of Rajshahi and University of Chittagong. In the External Evaluation Report (2017) on the project, it was suggested that the next phase move from the pilot approach, which only focused on two universities.  It should look into other regional universities (in terms of sharing practice-oriented education elements); build a network of journalism departments; and interface with working journalists in public and private media-related institutions.

With these in mind, Rajshahi University organized a networking conference among heads of journalism schools in the country in February 2018.  After a workshop conducted by DW Akademie Policy and Concept Expert Udo Prenjel, the participants decided to form the Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network (CJEN) Bangladesh.  Several months later, in November 2018, Chittagong University conducted the second networking conference.  During the event, the participants appointed the following academics to work on the association’s constitution:

• Gayen Kaberi (Dhaka University)
• Jude William Genilo (University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh)
• M. Zahangir Kabir (Manarat International University)
• Sharifa Umma Shirina (Barishal University)
• Mashihur Rahman (Rajshahi University)
• Mohammad Sahid Ullah (Chittagong University)
• Mahmuda Sikder (Chittagong University)

A third and fourth networking conference were then held.  In February 2020, Comilla University explored ways on how journalism education can become more practice-oriented.  In August 2021, Jahangirnagar University look at the role of media educators during the time of the pandemic.  In May 2022, the fifth networking conference will be hosted by the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.  The conference will be a self-assessment about journalism education as a sector – what is right and what is wrong with journalism education in the light of a changed mediascape.

Vision Statement:

CJEN Bangladesh will be the leading platform for Journalism and Communication educators in Bangladesh, dedicated to advancing academic excellence, competence-oriented pedagogy, and innovative and responsible journalism education. CJEN aims to empower the next generation of media professionals, strengthen the role of journalism in democratic societies, and contribute to an inclusive media landscape that fosters informed public discourse and social progress.

Mission Statement:

CJEN Bangladesh is committed to advancing innovative and responsible journalism and communication education by building a sustainable network of academics, fostering industry-academia collaboration, and promoting research-driven curriculum development. Through capacity building, resource sharing, and advocacy, we empower educators and institutions to nurture forward-thinking media experts, ensuring they are equipped to contribute to an inclusive, ethical, and dynamic media landscape.

Goal Statement:

Our goals include:

• Strengthening industry-academia partnerships by creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, internships, and collaborative projects with media organizations.
• Promoting evidence-based policy recommendations to bridge academia with industry and amplify diverse and underrepresented voices in media.
• Organizing regular conferences, workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programs to support early-career educators and academic excellence.
• Developing and promoting a standardized curriculum framework that balances academic rigor with industry relevance.
• Establishing a centralized repository of teaching materials, research publications, and digital tools to facilitate resource sharing among member institutions.
• Enhancing the professional development of educators through training, shared resources, and access to research funding.
• Creating a collaborative ecosystem among academic institutions to improve curricula, develop joint research initiatives, expand media literacy outreach, and support faculty development.
• Advancing collaborative research to address key challenges in journalism and communication education.

Through these efforts, CJEN Bangladesh seeks to empower educators, advance journalism education, and contribute to a more ethical, inclusive, and informed media landscape.

Guiding Principles:

• Excellence & Integrity – Upholding the highest academic and ethical standards in journalism education to foster credibility, responsibility, and professionalism.
• Inclusiveness & Social Responsibility – Ensuring diversity, equity, and accessibility in media and academia while promoting journalism’s role in democratic participation and social change.
• Innovation & Future-Readiness – Embracing emerging technologies, digital transformation, and new pedagogical approaches to equip educators and students for the evolving media landscape.
• Collaboration & Co-Creation – Strengthening industry-academia partnerships, fostering knowledge exchange, and promoting interdisciplinary cooperation to enhance journalism education.
• Adaptability & Continuous Learning – Cultivating a dynamic learning environment that encourages experimentation, agility, and responsiveness to global media challenges and opportunities.
• Openness & Dialogue – Encouraging constructive discourse, transparency, and critical thinking to build a more informed and engaged journalism and communication community.

Program Area 1:  Networking and Collaboration.  CJEN fosters industry-academia partnerships and strengthens media education through cross-sector collaboration. This includes:

• Organizing national and international conferences on media education and journalism practices.
• Strengthening partnerships with media organizations, academic institutions, and international bodies.
• Facilitating knowledge exchange between journalism educators and media professionals.
• Creating opportunities for collaborative projects, internships, and faculty development programs.
• Serving as a central hub for media literacy outreach and interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Program Area 2: Training and Skill Development.  CJEN aims to enhance the professional growth of journalism educators and students by providing opportunities for continuous learning and industry engagement. Key initiatives include:

• Organizing professional development workshops, conferences, and training sessions.
• Providing mentorship programs for early-career educators.
• Offering digital media literacy and fact-checking training.
• Supporting industry-academia collaborative training programs.
• Facilitating student mentorship and internship placements.
• Expanding access to research funding and academic excellence programs through various programs, including workshops on project development and proposal writing.

Program Area 3: Research and Publication.  CJEN fosters advancing collaborative research and evidence-based policymaking to address key challenges in journalism and communication education. This includes:

• Conducting studies on media trends, policies, and journalism education.
• Producing textbooks and learning manuals rooted in the local context.
• Promoting research on digital media, press freedom, and ethical reporting.
• Encouraging faculty and student research initiatives.
• Establishing an academic journal or publication platform for research dissemination.
• Amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices in media by promoting evidence-based policy recommendations.

Program Area 4: Resource Material Development.  To ensure journalism education balances academic rigor with industry relevance, CJEN focuses on producing and sharing high-quality educational resources. Activities include:

• Developing updated teaching materials on digital journalism, media ethics, and emerging media trends.
• Creating open-access learning resources for journalism students.
• Producing toolkits for fact-checking and combating disinformation.
• Establishing a centralized repository of teaching materials, research publications, and digital tools.

Promoting a standardized curriculum and pedagogical framework for journalism and media programs.

Board of Directors.  CJEN Bangladesh will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 8 to 16 elected members, serving terms of two years. The Board will oversee the strategic direction and overall governance of the organization.

Board Positions and Responsibilities

• President: Provides overall leadership and vision for CJEN Bangladesh, represents the organization in official capacities, presides over Board meetings, and ensures the implementation of policies and programs.
• Vice President: Assists the President in duties, oversees specific projects, and acts as the President in their absence.
• Secretary: Manages official records, prepares meeting minutes, and ensures smooth communication between Board members and members of CJEN Bangladesh.
• Vice Secretary: Assists the Secretary in documentation, correspondence, and administrative duties.
• Cultural Secretary: Promotes cultural initiatives and academic collaborations, organizes events, and ensures diversity and inclusion in programs.
• Treasurer: Manages financial affairs, prepares budgets, oversees fundraising efforts, and ensures transparency in financial reporting.

Additionally, there will be three elected representatives from Dhaka division and one elected representative from the seven other divisions of Bangladesh, ensuring regional representation. The seven other divisions are:

1. Barishal
2. Chattogram
3. Khulna
4. Mymensingh
5. Rajshahi
6. Rangpur
7. Sylhet

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
CJEN Bangladesh encourages the formation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to foster research collaboration and knowledge-sharing among members.

 Formation and Governance

• At least 25 members must submit a written petition to the Board, justifying their request and outlining the objectives of the proposed SIG.
• Upon Board approval, the SIG members will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair to lead the group.
• The Board reserves the right to dissolve a SIG if inactive for two years.

The Board may require SIG members to pay an additional fee, which will serve as a seed fund for SIG activities.

The Secretariat will manage the day-to-day operations of CJEN Bangladesh, ensuring efficient execution of programs and services.

Secretariat Positions and Responsibilities

• Secretary General: Oversees Secretariat operations, implements Board decisions, manages internal and external communications, and ensures organizational efficiency.
• Deputy Secretary General: Supports the Secretary General in administrative duties and assumes leadership responsibilities in their absence.
• Finance Officer: Manages financial transactions, prepares financial reports, maintains records, and ensures compliance with financial regulations.
• Technical Officer: Handles technological infrastructure, manages the organization’s website, supports digital communication, and ensures cybersecurity measures.

This governance structure ensures effective leadership, member engagement, and strategic growth for CJEN Bangladesh.

Jude William Genilo, CJEN Bangladesh (Founder)

Nadia Rahman, Bangladesh University of Professionals

Rani Ramos, American International University Bangladesh

Farzana Tasnim, Khulna University

Belal Hossain, Comilla University

Rezwan Ul Alam, North South University

Mahady Hasan, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Aminuzzaman, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Yasir Silmy, BGC Trust University

Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Sarwar Kamal, BGC Trust University

Shazzad Hossain, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Jewel Das, Port City University

Samiya Asadi, Stamford University

Mosharraf Hossain, Stamford University

Tania Sultana, Stamford University

Naziat Choudhury, Rajshahi University

Prashanta Kumar, Port City University

Muhammad Naim Uddin, BGC Trust University

Jillur Rahman Paul, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University

Mehnaz Hoque, Jagannath University

Muhammad Abdul Kader, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Jessica Tartila, Independent University, Bangladesh

Shameem Reza, University of Dhaka

Shariful Islam Imshiat, North South University

SM Imran Hossain, University of Dhaka

Nazia Afrin, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Shariful Islam, Khulna University