MONROVIA – The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) has reached a strategic milestone in its drive to empower female media professionals by opening doors to specialized training, academic scholarships, and international media exchanges with the Republic of India.
The opportunity was established on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during a high-level courtesy meeting between an executive FeJAL delegation led by President Lisa T. Diasay and the Ambassador of India to Liberia, His Excellency Manoj Bihari Verma, at the Indian Embassy in Mamba Point, Monrovia.
During the discussion, Ambassador Verma invited eligible Liberian women journalists to apply for the 140 fully funded training slots allocated to Liberia for the 2026–2027 academic cycle under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program. He also highlighted available scholarship opportunities through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), reinforcing India’s long-standing commitment to human capital development in Liberia. Furthermore, the Ambassador pledged to consider FeJAL for future professional media exchange initiatives with leading Indian news institutions.
Emphasizing the crucial role of technical skill-building, FeJAL President Lisa T. Diasay outlined the association’s strategic priorities, including advanced training in digital journalism, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, modern media technologies, newsroom leadership, and international institutional exchanges.
“To build a robust and competitive media landscape, female journalists must be equipped with contemporary skills that meet global standards,” Ms. Diasay stated. “We are deeply committed to forging strategic partnerships that elevate women’s leadership and participation in the media sector.”
In a proactive move to promote inclusive development, Ms. Diasay advocated for expanding the partnership beyond the capital. She urged the Indian Embassy to collaborate directly with FeJAL’s extensive network of rural and county-based journalists. This initiative, she noted, would give journalists outside Monrovia direct access to information regarding India-supported development projects in agriculture, healthcare, and education—thereby enhancing independent reporting, fostering public awareness of bilateral relations, and creating equitable opportunities for rural women journalists nationwide.
Ambassador Verma commended FeJAL’s initiative and welcomed the proposal to leverage the association’s national network to disseminate information on Indian development efforts and upcoming capacity-building programs. He assured the delegation that the embassy would maintain close communication regarding future opportunities.
FeJAL extends its appreciation to the Government and people of India for their ongoing investment in Liberian capacity building and remains steadfast in its mission to advance the professional excellence and welfare of women in journalism across Liberia.