UVic-UCC joins the European Journalism Training Association

The University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) has officially joined the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA), an association that aims to improve training in journalism at its member institutions, and which includes European universities with faculties of journalism. UVic-UCC's admission, which took effect last week, is the result of a process led by the Journalism studies in the Faculty of Business and Communication at the Vic Campus. The University joined within the framework of the institution's General Assembly which took place in Vienna, at an event attended by Toni Sellas, the coordinator of the bachelor's degree programme in Journalism, and Sergi Solà, the dean of the Faculty of Business and Communication. 

Established in Brussels since 1990, "the main objective of the EJTA is to foster and stimulate cooperation between faculties and universities in different European countries related to education in journalism and the training of future journalism professionals," emphasises Sergi Solà. And he adds that "the aim is to work together on issues and initiatives that improve the training of future journalists."

Recognition for the UVic-UCC bachelor's degree, and access to projects and exchanges 

Commenting on the importance of the UVic-UCC joining the EJTA, Toni Sellas points out that "first of all, it means recognition for the Journalism studies at UVic-UCC, and it is endorsement for the bachelor's degree from a broader European perspective." Sellas also points out that "we adhere to the requirement for high standards in the training of journalists and professional and ethical standards," and concludes by saying that "it is also an opportunity to participate in meetings, projects and to create networks." 

Joining this association will therefore give Journalism faculty and students at UVic-UCC access to conferences and seminars on issues related to training and journalism as a profession, practical exercises and joint international projects. At the same time, "faculty will be able to work with colleagues from various countries on joint projects that they can apply to their courses, and our students will also be able to participate in initiatives with international students within the framework of their courses and in possible exchanges," notes Solà. And he adds that "apart from mobility, being a member of the EJTA means we can work closely with European faculties related to our studies, with which we can work on specific projects in the classroom with an international perspective." 

Various projects in progress

The EJTA is currently working on several international projects. They include Eurofactcheck, which has developed a specific methodology for verifying information. Another project is Inclusive Journalism, which is basically aimed at journalism that takes all the voices in conflicts into account, and assumes its social responsibility. A working group on artificial intelligence and training for journalists is also being launched. "It is early days, but it aims to foster debate, share experiences and establish a common framework on how to integrate artificial intelligence in journalism studies," concludes Sellas. 

The EJTA currently includes around eighty centres, schools and universities with journalism courses in around thirty European countries. In Catalonia, in addition to the UVic-UCC, it includes Pompeu Fabra University and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; the latter University joined the association on the same day as UVic-UCC. The EJTA also acts as a representative for its members before other institutional partners, including the European Commission, UNESCO, and other associations of journalists and publishers.