Zimpapers Training Institute opens

Oliver Kazunga

Senior Reporter

THE Zimpapers Training Institute (ZTI) is set to open its doors tomorrow, offering a range of practical, industry-driven journalism programmes designed to align with current media trends and technologies.

The institute will offer both 12-month national diploma programmes in areas such as digital marketing, innovative journalism practices, media technologies and animation, graphic design, media practices, broadcasting and film making, as well as six-month certificate courses.

The programmes are tailored to elevate the quality of journalism in Zimbabwe by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and modern newsroom demands.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, ZTI project lead Mrs Daisy Sakara said the launch marks a significant step in training both aspiring journalists and seasoned practitioners in line with global media standards.

“We are excited to offer journalism courses that equip students with practical skills and industry insights,” she said.

“Given that our courses are conducted through face-to-face and online learning, we anticipate that enrolment will grow in leaps and bounds going forward given that prospective students, including seasoned practitioners, can study our programmes from anywhere across the country.

“More so, as an institution, we have become adaptable to the ever-changing environment, where Zimpapers, as the largest integrated media house, has invested in state-of-the art equipment across all its platforms that include the broadcasting division (radio and television), digital and print.”

As the global media landscape undergoes rapid transformation, driven by digital disruption, the need for multimedia storytelling, social media management and data-driven journalism has grown.

ZTI aims to address these needs by offering training that goes beyond traditional, print-centric models. ZTI acting principal Mr Limukani Ncube underscored the importance of tailoring the institute’s programmes to meet emerging industry demands.

“We are trying to make sure that we are responsive to the changing environment; that is why we opted for digital marketing and the journalism component is where we are doing print and broadcast — we are also including multimedia. We are trying to speak to the gaps that are there in the industry.

“I think in a month we also want to start having short courses that are tailor-made to address some of the gaps that are glaring in a number of areas not even confined to the media, but even to the other sectors as well,” he said.

With access to Zimpapers’ extensive media platforms and industry expertise, ZTI is expected to offer specialist modules, mentorship opportunities and workshops that complement formal curricula offered by other training institutions.