AYV News, January 17, 2024
The Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire has delivered a unique practical skills development training to students at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) from its AYV Regional hub, as the company further develops and expands its young professional programme, AYV Academy.
The AYV Academy, hosted by UNIMAK and the Students Representative Council (SRC) welcomed its first cohort of students on Thursday 11th January, 2024, leading with a young professional masterclass from experts.
This event, part of AYV Academy’s special initiative, aimed to empower and upskill the next generation of professionals.
Founder and CEO of AYV, Ambassador Anthony Navo; Jr has announced a new investment program to get more young people into career development. The AYV Academy initiative was originally conceptualised by Amb Navo; Jr as part of the founding principle of the Institution, in order to ensure a regularly rotated cohort of young people bringing a substantive technical contribution and perspectives to AYV’s work and the wider community.
The AYV Academy Young Professionals Programme (YPP) initiative is designed to bring the technical expertise, innovation, energy, and perspectives of young professionals into the AYV’s core work, at the same time create exciting development opportunities for talented and qualified young people.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of AYV Media Empire, Messeh Leone said: “students spend four years in the classroom with little or no practical experience to prepare them for the job market, the AYV Academy therefore provides a unique platform with practical skills to young people seeking to gain decent employment and experience that will set them on a career pathway. AYV has been at the forefront of engaging and empowering young people. Many of AYV’s senior managers came through AYV young professional programmes. The contribution of young people is pivotal to national development and the values of our societies.”
Messeh noted that since the launch of AYV Academy, AYV has collaborated with creative, educational, and corporate partners to engage and empower young professionals. The variety of innovative AYV Academy programmes offer dynamic learning through a wealth of resources, practical skills sessions, in-person exercises, digital courses, and expert-led workshops, with AYV now developing new AYV Academy concepts and formats with other partners and universities.
Dean of Students UNIMAK, Madam Jane Mattia welcomes the AYV Academy initiative, nothing that the opening of the AYV Academy to UNIMAK students will serve as a learning platform for students. Madam Jane encouraged students to make use of the opportunity as the AYV Academy will equip students in their professional development.
Edmond Alim B. Fornah, the Chairperson of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Unimak noted that the opening of the academy is a part of the SRC’s commitment to support students as SRC seeks to establish an Online TV. Edmond said: “We are excited that through the AYV Academy programme, students will benefit from training, mentorship, and internship opportunities. Thanks to AYV for honouring our request to include the University of Makeni as part of the institutions that are beneficiaries to the academy”.
UNIMAK Mass Communication student, Salamatu Bangura said, “The AYV Academy platform brings me closer to my dream of becoming a news reporter and scriptwriter. I am looking forward to working with AYV and contributing to the academy programmes”.
Led by a team of experienced professionals, academy participants will learn important industry skills including application of multimedia skills in different fields and subjects. The academy offers skills and practical experiences in journalism, entrepreneurship, marketing, branding, fashion and design, content creation, scriptwriting and editing, video and music editing, broadcast technology, etc.
Over the course of this immersive program, students will participate in practical workshops, ongoing mentorship, learn and create products and services, and build your network for career & business opportunities. Students will have access to extensive media technology facilities, equipment, infrastructure and student liaison support from the creative lab, part of the AYV talent development Creative Hub.
A practical hub will be established for students within the university and AYV Regional hub in Makeni to bolster hands-on experiences in all fields and subjects. Students from various departments including Law, Mass Communication, Political Science, Human Resources, Procurement, marketing, International Relations etc are participating in the Academy programme.
The AYV Academy creates an enabling environment to showcase the creativity, energy, innovation, and cutting-edge technical skills of young professionals.
The AYV Academy UNIMAK programme is powered by AYV Media Empire, AYV Miss University, University of Makeni, UNIMAK SRC, National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), Wusum hotel, Royal Hotel, RALIM SL Ltd, LAMLATT Ltd.
This report is edited by AYV News with contributions from UNIMAK students: Marie Kdoe Conteh, Mamusu Bangura, Emmanuella Dora Rogers, Mabinty Samura Bangs, Mary Blessing Suluku, Salamatu Bangura, Abdul Hakeem Mohamed, Yusuff Moseray Suma.
For more information visit: ayv.academy@ayvnews.com
