UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism (UMCSAJ)

Since the 26 October 2010, Mme Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General announced that the 12 SAF Institutions of Excellence will be able to use UNESCO logo and named UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institutions of Excellence.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the South Asia Foundation (SAF) and the Media Development Foundation (MDF) sets forth the agreements reached between the parties relating to the setting up of the Madanjeet Singh Resource Centre for Journalism Studies at the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) administered by the MDF in Chennai, India

June 2017:- MoU signed between South Asia Foudnation & UMCSAJ ( UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism)

Director : Mr Sashi Kumar
Registrar : Ms. Sudha Umapathy

Applications for the SAF Madanjeet Singh group scholarship at ACJ should go through the secretary of the board of your respective country and get the approval of the Chairperson, whereas for Indian, the selection will be made by ACJ on marit bases of written test and interview. In an innovative move designed to promote regional cooperation, the South Asia Foundation (SAF) has instituted 8 full scholarships for young people (women and men) from the eight SAARC countries to study at the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism (UMCSAJ), Chennai.

The scholarships will cover the tuition, living and travel costs of the selected students for the duration of the ACJ's ten-month post-graduate diploma course in journalism.
Students from Afghanistan started benefiting from the scholarships in 2003, Bangladesh in 2002, Bhutan in 2002, India in 2002, Maldives in 2002, Nepal in 2002, Pakistan in 2004 and Sri Lanka in 2002.

A Bachelor’s degree is mandatory. Graduates in any discipline are eligible to apply for admission to the following:

ACJ-Bloomberg Business and Financial Journalism programme and
ACJ Integrated Multimedia Journalism programme.

Candidates who are yet to write their undergraduate degree examination (because of the delay due to the lockdown) as well as those awaiting the results of their undergraduate examination are also eligible to apply.

Enrolled students should provide their mark sheet or degree certificate to the Registrar ideally within the first week of commencement of classes. However, if the undergraduate exam results are likely to be delayed, more time may be given for submission of the certificates. All students awaiting their examination results should provide their degree certificate latest by the end of March 2024.

UMCSAJ 2014, April15
Front Row Left to Right:- Dr. Syeda Hameed, Vice Chairperson SAF-India; Madame France Marquet,Trustee MSF & SAF; Prof Salima Hashmi, Chairperson, SAF-Pakistan
Second Row Left to Right:- Mr Navin B Chawla, Advisor, MSF; Mr N Ram, President, MSF; Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, UNESCO Director & Representative to India; Dr Nishchal N Pandey, Chairperson SAF-Nepal; Mr Kamal Hossain, Chairperson, SAF-Bangaldesh; Prof Veena Sikri, Vice Chairperson, SAF-India;
During the Visit to UMCSAJ on 15 April, 2014

Entrance Test & Interview

After a careful assessment of applications, shortlisted candidates will be required to take an online entrance test held online in real time. Candidates can take the test individually in their homes or at any place where they have access to a computer with internet facility.

From this year the process of the online entrance test and the online interview that follows it will be ongoing and held at regular intervals from February 1, 2023 to May 31, 2023. Candidates applying for either or both of the programmes will be intimated, within a week of receipt of the completed application,

a) the date and time of the online test, and
b) date and time of the online interview to follow.

The test will assess the candidate’s English language skills, general knowledge and awareness of current affairs.

Candidates who seek counselling on the two postgraduate diploma programmes, may please call 91-44-22542842/43/44/45 or email admissionacj@gmail.com. They will be referred to the appropriate member/s of the faculty who can assist them.

Candidates selected for admission will receive an email within a week of the completion of the online interview.

This staggered on-going admission process will close as soon as the seats for the year are filled, or, by end May 2023, whichever is earlier.

Applicants from SAARC countries (except India) can be submited nomination through their SAF- Scretary - Click here to know your SAF- Secretry
SAF Scholar from India will be selected on written exam merit bases and interview conducted by Admission Committee of Asian College of Journalisum ( to know more visit ACJ website)

Note

Applicants are required to indicate, in their completed application, both the stream of specialisation and the integration course opted for i.e. Print, New Media and Broadcast.
Application Forms will be processed only if they are complete in all respects and on receipt of the application fee.

In the media Kathmandu, Nepal - 18th December 2024

SAF Alumni Meet draws over 300 participants

The South Asia Foundation (SAF) Nepal Chapter organized the SAF Alumni Meet in Kathmandu in the first week of December. More than 300 alumni from SAARC member countries coming from various disciplines such as water resources engineering, journalism, green energy technology, international relations, law, development studies and forestry participated in the gathering graced by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, according to a statement issued by SAF Nepal Chapter.

News Kathmandu, Nepal - 6th December 2024

First-Ever SAF Alumni Meet 2024 Held in Kathmandu with Over 350 Participants from Eight Institutions

The first-ever SAF Alumni meet was held from 4th to 6th December 2024 at Kathmandu. Attended by more than 350 Alumni from all the eight SAF Institutions of Excellence and also Representatives from all the SAF Chapters. Apart from a series of events conducted by Alumni of the Institutes, the meet provided an opportunity to SAF Alumni to interaction with scholars other than from their alma mater.

News Helsinki, Finland - 28th October 2024

SAF Alumni Ms. Vinaya Vilas Deshpande, Indian Journalist, Represents Nation in Prestigious Finnish Program in Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland – In a moment of pride for India, SAF (South Asia Foundation) Alumni Ms. Vinaya Vilas Deshpande has been invited by the Finnish government to participate in a distinguished program in Helsinki. She joins a select cohort of representatives from nine countries, each chosen to explore Finland’s progressive approach to digitization and social systems....

News 24th June 2024

Two Scholars selected from SAF-Nepal to Join UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism( UMCSAJ),ACJ

Dr. Nischal N. Pandey, Chairman of the South Asia Foundation-Nepal (SAF-Nepal), hosted a heartfelt farewell event for the scholars on June 24, 2024. Both Ms. Rai and Ms. Devkota are already making their mark as young journalists in Nepal, and their selection for this program highlights their dedication and potential in the field.

News Dhaka Bangaldesh - 5th May 2024

Mr Rabiul Alam, Alumnus,UMCSAJ Wins UNICEF Media Award-2023 for Compelling Story on Erosion-Hit Children

Mr Abiul Alam, a SAF Alumni from the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism (UMCSAJ), Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, India has been awarded the UNICEF Media Award-2023 for his compelling story titled "Manta and Erosion-Hit Children Grapple with Endless Identity Crisis.....