Karachi: In a significant development aimed at fostering journalistic talent and enhancing financial literacy, Bank Alfalah and the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi announced new scholarships and capacity-building initiatives. The collaboration includes funding for five Master of Science in Journalism (MSJ) students for the 2024-25 academic year and workshops for twelve online content creators to raise awareness about financial literacy.

According to Bank Alfalah, the partnership underscores a commitment to nurturing skilled journalists who can adeptly cover financial topics and to supporting content creators focused on financial education. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the two institutions outlines the scope of this initiative, which is aimed at producing well-informed journalists and empowering individuals with the knowledge to navigate complex financial landscapes.

Dr. Asma Hyder, Professor and Dean at IBA’s School of Economics and Social Sciences, highlighted the critical role of journalism in democracy and the specific focus of the MSJ program on reporting, investigation, fact-checking, and ethical journalistic practices. “Journalism is vital for an informed society and strengthens democracy,” she noted, emphasizing the comprehensive training provided by the program.

Taimoor Ahmed, Acting Head of CEJ, expressed gratitude towards Bank Alfalah for their support, which he described as essential for empowering aspiring journalists and helping them achieve their professional goals. Madiha Javed Qureshi, Head of Corporate Communication at Bank Alfalah, reiterated the bank’s dedication to contributing to the nation’s economic and educational growth through such initiatives.