UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism (UMCSAJ)

Since the 26 October 2010, Mme Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General announced that the 12 SAF Institutions of Excellence will be able to use UNESCO logo and named UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institutions of Excellence.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the South Asia Foundation (SAF) and the Media Development Foundation (MDF) sets forth the agreements reached between the parties relating to the setting up of the Madanjeet Singh Resource Centre for Journalism Studies at the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) administered by the MDF in Chennai, India

June 2017:- MoU signed between South Asia Foudnation & UMCSAJ ( UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism)

Director : Mr Sashi Kumar (UMCSAJ@safmail.org)
Registrar : Ms. Sudha Umapathy

UMCSAJ 2014, April15

Front Row Left to Right:- Dr. Syeda Hameed, Vice Chairperson SAF-India; Madame France Marquet,Trustee MSF & SAF; Prof Salima Hashmi, Chairperson, SAF-Pakistan
Second Row Left to Right:- Mr Navin B Chawla, Advisor, MSF; Mr N Ram, President, MSF; Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, UNESCO Director & Representative to India; Dr Nishchal N Pandey, Chairperson SAF-Nepal; Mr Kamal Hossain, Chairperson, SAF-Bangaldesh; Prof Veena Sikri, Vice Chairperson, SAF-India; During the Visit to UMCSAJ on 15 April, 2014.

Applications for the SAF Madanjeet Singh group scholarship at ACJ should go through the secretary of the board of your respective country and get the approval of the Chairperson, whereas for Indian, the selection will be made by ACJ on marit bases of written test and interview. In an innovative move designed to promote regional cooperation, the South Asia Foundation (SAF) has instituted 8 full scholarships for young people (women and men) from the eight SAARC countries to study at the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism (UMCSAJ), Chennai.

The scholarships will cover the tuition, living and travel costs of the selected students for the duration of the ACJ's ten-month post-graduate diploma course in journalism.
Students from Afghanistan started benefiting from the scholarships in 2003, Bangladesh in 2002, Bhutan in 2002, India in 2002, Maldives in 2002, Nepal in 2002, Pakistan in 2004 and Sri Lanka in 2002..

UNESCO MADANJEET SINGH CENTER OF SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISUM (UMCSAJ) announces Fully paid scholarship for Postgraduate Diploma in Journalisum. Last Date to receive the nomination from South Asia Foundation Chapters is 18^th April, 2025.

Eligibility

A Bachelor’s degree is mandatory. Graduates in any discipline are eligible to apply for admission to the following:

ACJ-Bloomberg Business and Financial Journalism programme and
ACJ Integrated Multimedia Journalism programme.

Candidates who are yet to write their undergraduate degree examination (because of the delay due to the lockdown) as well as those awaiting the results of their undergraduate examination are also eligible to apply.

The classes for the new academic year will begin from Monday, July 6th, 2026 and orientation on Saturday, July 4th 2026. The selected SAF scholars from different countries should be in India by Friday, July 3rd, 2026.

Entrance Test (Only for Indian Applicants) & Interview

This year for the students selected from India, the online entrance test and the online interview that follows it will be held twice between April 2026 and May 2026. Candidates applying for the programme will be intimated, within a week of receipt of the completed application, the date of the exam and interview. Candidates applying for either or both of the programmes will be intimated, within a week of receipt of the completed application,

a) the date and time of the online test, and
b) date and time of the online interview to follow.

The test will assess the candidate’s English language skills, general knowledge and awareness of current affairs.

Candidates who seek counselling on the two postgraduate diploma programmes, may please call 91-44-22542842/43/44/45 or email admissionacj@gmail.com. They will be referred to the appropriate member/s of the faculty who can assist them.

Candidates selected for admission will receive an email within a week of the completion of the online interview.

This staggered on-going admission process will close as soon as the seats for the year are filled, or, by end May 2026, whichever is earlier.

NOTE

Applicants from SAARC countries (except India) can be submited nomination through their SAF- Scretary - Click here to know your SAF- Secretry
Indian applicants will be selected on written exam merit bases and interview conducted by Admission Committee of Asian College of Journalisum ( to know more visit ACJ website)

News Asian College of Journalism (UMCSAJ), Chennai - 1st April 2026

UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Center for South Asian Journalisum(UMCSAJ) announces fully paid scholarship for PG Diploma in Journalisum

UNESCO MADANJEET SINGH CENTER OF SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISUM (UMCSAJ) announces FULLY paid scholarship for Postgraduate Diploma in Journalisum. Last Date to receive the nomination from South Asia Foundation Chapters is 18th April, 2025.

In the media Bangaluru, DHNS-News Paper - 28th March 2026

From Journalism to Governance: UMCSAJ Alumna Ms. Pratibha Rawal Takes Charge as Nepal’s Federal Affairs Minister

In a remarkable journey from media to national leadership, Pratibha Rawal, an alumna of Asian College of Journalism, has been appointed as Nepal’s Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration in the newly formed cabinet.

News Kathamndu, Nepal - 18th March 2026

Ms. Pratibha Rawal, SAF Alumna of UMCSAJ, Asian College of Journalism(2014 batch), Wins Seat in Nepal’s House of Representativ

In a proud and inspiring moment for the UENSCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Excellence (UMCSAJ) , SAF alumna Ms. Pratibha Rawal from Nepal (Batch of 2014), an accomplished Diploma UMCSAJ, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, has been elected to Nepal’s House of Representatives through the proportional representation (PR) system.

News Bandos Island, Malé - 27th November 2025

22nd Annual Governing Council Meeting of South Asia Foundation held on 27 November 2025, Bandos, Maldives

The Annual Governing Council Meeting of the South Asia Foundation (SAF) and Madanjeet Singh Foundation convened on November 27, 2025, Bandos, Maldvies. The meeting saw active Chairpersons from the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka of South Asia Foundation chapters.

News Male, Maldives - 27th November 2025

First-Ever SAF Maldives Alumni get together Held at Maagiri Hotel, Malé, Maldives

The First South Asia Foundation (SAF) – Maldivian Alumni Get-Together was held with great enthusiasm on 27 November 2025 at the Maagiri Hotel, Malé, marking a significant milestone in strengthening regional academic and professional cooperation. The event, which began at 11:30 AM.