Monday, May 5, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 28, 1429    

IOs urged to focus on profession

Islamabad—Additional Secretary Incharge Information and Broadcasting Akram Shaheedi distributed certificates among five probationary officers at Award Ceremony of the 24th Specialised Training Programme held at Information Services Academy (ISA).

The probationary officers who received the certificates after 10 months of intensive training in media-related activities were: Hina Malik, Nazia Jabeen, Hassan Sardar, Zafar Yab Khan and Razia Masood.

Speaking on the occasion, Akram Shaheedi congratulated the officers on successful completion of the training and urged them to be more focussed and committed to their profession. “It (journalism) is indeed a challenging job that needs hard work,” he said.

The secretary said this training programme would benefit the young officers in the long run as well as help them excel in their profession in a much more professional way.

He said trainees had greatly benefitted from the scholars and experienced practitioners in mass media who were invited to address them during the course.

Earlier, Director General of ISA Sajida Iqbal Syed while highlighting salient features of the training institute and courses being taught said the new officers joining Information Group and then getting training were more lucky as such institutes did not exist in the past.

She said it was originally her idea to set up an institute where officers of Information Group could be imparted training. She said efforts had been made to familiarise the trainee officers with modern practices of Mass Communication and Journalism and to teach them emerging trends and technological advancements in information and media.

Another important ingredient of training that is inculcation of soft skills such as values, attitudes and respect for humanity has also formed part of their long training.

The ceremony was followed by a colourful music show.—APP