International Journalism Fellows Arrive at Cronkite

Ten international journalists and professional communicators will start a new 10-month residential fellowship program today at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The mid-career professionals from around the world are part of the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, a U.S. State Department initiative in partnership with the Institute of International Education. Earlier this year, Arizona State University was selected to launch the nation’s 18th Humphrey fellowship program, and the second in journalism. The inaugural class of Humphrey fellows at ASU will pursue a wide range of academic studies, receive leadership training, forge professional affiliations with news organizations in Arizona and across the country, and experience a rich cultural immersion into American life. The fellows will live a few blocks from the Cronkite School in downtown Phoenix. “They are going to add to a robust discussion about the very nature of journalism,” said Associate Professor B. William Silcock, director of Cronkite Global Initiatives and curator of the Humphrey program. “We want them to absorb the best of what we have to offer,” Silcock said. “In turn, they’re bringing to us the best of journalism practice, leadership practice and cultural experience from their countries, which hopefully will infuse us.” Named in honor of the late vice president and U.S. senator from Minnesota, the Humphrey Fellowship Program started in 1978 to provide professional enrichment and non-degree studies at American universities for experienced professionals around the world. Fellows are selected based on their leadership potential and commitment to public service. The 2010-2011 Humphrey Fellows in journalism are: Javed Afridi, Pakistan TV reporter Javed Afridi covers militant insurgency and regional issues for Express 24/7, the only English-language news channel in Pakistan. Previously, he worked for the Frontier Post, the Daily Times, the News International and the Khyber Mail International newspapers in Pakistan. He has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Peshawar. Malik Siraj Akbar, Pakistan Malik Siraj Akbar is the editor of the Baloch Hal, the first online English newspaper of the Balochistan province in Pakistan. He also is the chief reporter for the Daily Balochistan Express and a former bureau chief of the Daily Times in Pakistan. His articles have been published on the op-ed pages of leading English-language Asian newspapers, such as the Times of India. Mohammed Alauddin, Bangladesh With a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Chittagong, Mohammed Alauddin is the information and communication coordinator for Caritas, a non-governmental organization engaged in international emergency relief response, community building and justice advocacy efforts. He produces videos, press releases, newsletters and reports. Sevgi Serpil Atalay, Turkey For 10 years, Sevgi Serpil Atalay has been a specialist in the communications and international relations department of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. She has a master’s degree in economics from the University of York and speaks Spanish, English and Turkish. She is a member of the association for the conservation of nature in Turkey. Chevaan Daniel, Sri Lanka As the head of Sri Lanka’s largest electronic news media network, The Capital Maharaja Organization, Chevaan Daniel is responsible for overall business operations of the seven-channel company, which has a staff of more than 500. He is trained in the Israeli art of self-defense, Krav Maga, and has a brown belt in the martial art of taekwondo. Chinkhand Dorj, Mongolia Broadcast journalist Chinkhand Dorj covers political and economic news for Mongolian Public Radio of the MNB, the first and only public broadcast outlet in Mongolia. Dorj began her journalism career in 1995. She graduated from the Humanitarian University of Mongolia in 2009 as a linguistic/English translator. Aleksandra Dukovska, Macedonia Aleksandra Dukovska has worked at New Moment Video House as a researcher, reporter and producer in radio, print and television journalism. Her work includes documentaries on human trafficking and corruption. She was part of the team for Eurozoom TV, a broadcast newsmagazine focusing on Macedonian integration into the European Union. Daria Marjanovic, Croatia Veteran journalist Daria Marjanovic is an anchor, producer and co-production coordinator for HTV, the Croatian public television network. The award-winning journalist coordinates her station’s contributions to CNN’s World View, pursues various international media projects and teaches TV practicums at the University of Zagreb in Croatia. Mukesh Ropeta, Pakistan Based in Jacobabad, Mukesh Kumar Ropeta is a reporter for Geo Television Network. He has reported on honor killings, tribal clashes, bombings, floods and military operations. Ropeta started his career as a correspondent for the News International in 1997 after earning his master’s degree in journalism from Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur, Pakistan. Xiao Yang, China Xiao Yang is a senior journalist with Beijing Youth Daily, where he has worked for more than 10 years covering local, business and real estate news. He travels to conflicted regions and disaster sites to cover world news for the paper. Yang has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Beijing Polytechnic University.