Afghan Students Join Public Affairs Community
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Lockwood NTM-A Public Affairs
A graduate of the Basic Public Affairs School shows his diploma to the rest of his fellow graduates during their graduation ceremony at the Ministry of Defense Media Center, in Kabul, Dec. 1. The five-week course covered Communications, Public Relations, Photojournalism, Video Journalism, Writing, Press Conferences and Press Releases. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Lockwood)
KABUL – Twenty-three Afghan public affairs students graduated from the 5-week Basic Public Affairs School at the Ministry of Defense Media Center, Dec. 1.
According to course instructor and Lecturer for the Faculty of Journalism at Kabul University Azim Noorbakhsh, the Twelve Afghan National Army (ANA), eight Afghan National Police (ANP) and three Afghan National Air Force graduates learned public affairs skills vital to telling the Afghan story.
“The course teaches the students how to give a more positive image of the [Afghan National] Army, Police and Security Forces,” said Noorbakhsh. The course covered Communications, Public Relations, Photojournalism, Video journalism, Writing, Press Conferences and Press Releases.”
Although new to the public affairs community, students such as Afghan Army Lt. Col. Abdul Qahar Aram felt the course would challenge the Ministry of Defense in how they engage their community. He said he looked forward to maintaining his proficiency in the field.
According to the PA Advisor U.S. Navy Lt. Ralph Hooper, from Tulsa, Okla., the graduates received electronic news gathering kits in addition to their diplomas, including video and still cameras, computers and printers. The new skills, equipment and overall passion each student displayed during the graduation left Hooper with a sense of optimism regarding the transition.
“Seeing the pride in the graduate’s faces and the cooperation between the ANA and ANP students gives me great hope for the future of Afghanistan,” said Hooper.
Activated in 2009, NTM-A is a coalition of 37 contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014.
Category: News - Afghan National Army, News - Afghan National Police, News - News
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