Journalism School Partnership Program with the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM)

archived

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Journalism School Partnership Program with the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM) at the Zurab Zhvania Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia invites U.S. academic institutions (U.S. university journalism programs) to submit proposals for a three-year partnership project to improve the standard of journalism instruction and assist in the institutional development of CSJMM. The means for achieving this objective may include: faculty development, curricula and materials development, program development (executive MA and PhD programs, joint degree programs), equipment, and strategic planning. PAS will award approximately $750,000 for three year long project. II. BACKGROUNDThe Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM) at the Zurab Zhvania Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) is the first western-style graduate school of journalism in the Caucasus region. It opened in Tbilisi in October 2001 with the mission to support the development of free, independent and professional media in the Caucasus through quality educational programs in journalism and media management. CSJMM currently offers three master’s degree programs: Journalism and Media Management (English class, 2008-2010 enrollment: 40 students); Media and Communication Management (Georgian class, 2008-2010 enrollment: 42 students); and Public Relations (Georgian class 2008-2010 enrollment: 40 students). Since 2001, 198 students have graduated from CSJMM. Currently, CSJMM employs 5 full-time and 30 part-time faculty members. One quarter of CSJMM’s students come from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Central Asia, which makes CSJMM the premiere institute of higher education in journalism for the entire Caucasus region. CSJMM operates two student media outlets, Radio GIPA and the Brosse Street Journal. It offers training and extension programs for professional journalists, journalism faculty, and press officers of state agencies. CSJMM emphasizes fact-based reporting and the highest standards of ethical journalism, with a hands-on approach to teaching. III. FUNDING PRIORITIESThe Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia seeks to fund a creative and sustainable partnership project between the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM) and a U.S. university journalism program. U.S. university journalism programs with prior experience in similar partnership projects with universities/educational institutions overseas, and those which offer in-kind financial and/or equipment contributions will be favorably considered.

High