Media Development Center

Birzeit University's Media Development Center (MDC) was founded in 1996 as a Radio Training Program. The history of media studies at Birzeit dates back to 1963 when the University began offering journalism courses. In 1993, the University began to expand its journalism activities substantially. The Center's subsequent development into a full-fledged Institute with five units in the fields of Radio, Print Journalism, TV, Academic Programs and Media Resources, came largely as a result of the glaring need for professionals in the field of mass media. Today, the Institute offers academic programs leading to Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and Radio, (under the academic supervision of the Faculty of Arts), as well as professional diplomas and specialized short term courses in TV, Radio and Print Journalism. The fact that the majority of the graduates of the various programs have been able to find relevant work in their fields is a testament to the Institute's capacity to respond to the needs of the community.

MDC has developed an exceptional reputation for its capacity to enhance its academic programs with practical applications, the result of which are the Journalist students' newspaper and the Birzeit radio station which broadcasts programs developed and administered by students of the program. The University station is the only one of its kind in the region which broadcasts to the local community serving educational and professional training purposes simultaneously.

In September 1999, MDC completed construction of new facilities to further strengthen its provision of education and training, and the production of the student newspaper and broadcast programs. The new facilities also include a fully equipped TV Training Unit. The TV unit began conducting training courses in November 2000, towards the eventual development of a complete undergraduate program in the field.

MDC has established and is continuously developing relations with various media institutes and organizations and carrying out joint cooperative programs to enhance its education and training programs.

One of the aims of MDC is to encourage the development of independent audio/visual media and improve technical skills in audio/visual production and computer technologies of local residents and members of civic organizations. As such, MDC's facilities are made accessible to grassroots organizations and individuals from the community and the Institute offers various workshops, seminars and professional diplomas for individuals working in the field.

To further strengthen relations with media and civic organizations, MDC established the Media Resource Unit in September 1998. The Resource Unit, which has become a vital gathering place for professional journalists in the country, offers a long list of services for both Palestinian and international journalists working in the country.