It is a tough challenge to become a Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellow, the winner of an international scholarship that enables mid-career journalists from South Asia with leadership qualities to undertake courses in universities in the UK. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds the scheme.
28-year old Noreen Shams has done this, and is living her dream to study in London.
She is in the Foreign Office South Asia Journalism program at the University of Westminster, a course exclusively designed for Indian and Pakistani Journalists.. She says that the best part of these two months “Is to know our fellow Indian journalists. Their culture, their languages, their concerns over Pak-India ties were the integral part of this program.”
Noreen’s own background is solidly media. Currently working for APNA Karachi as a radio host, she achieved a BS in Mass Communication from the University of Karachi and a second, Masters Degree in International Relations.
Family Support?
Though Noreen hails from an urban Middle Class Family from Karachi, Pakistan, her ancestors migrated from UP, India. “My father works on mechanical engineering, mainly air-conditioning stuff. My mom is a housewife with a BA in Economics. My elder sister is a Chartered Accountant and I am a Journalist, which is so unusual, being daughters in Pakistani society. I adore their support through my entire life which helped and will help in all endeavours.”
Noreen started her career with the Business Recorder and AAJ TV then switched to online media. She was selected as an Exchange Pakistani Journalist and won training at CNN Headquarters, Atlanta USA. “I reported on Malala when she was shot by Taliban in October 2012.”
In Pakistan, Noreen worked with Reuters TV Singapore on video stories from Pakistan. She now trains upcoming mass media professionals on Digital Media.
Childhood challenges
“As the second child, I always thought that I am somehow a neglected child as you develop such assumptions, being a middle child. The assumption that I will do everything on my own actually worked for me as my parents believed in me, that I will do it on my own, and since then I have been living an independent life, taking my own decisions.
I have a big circle of Sindhi friends as I live in Karachi. We mingle easily with Sindhis so I understand, speak and easily read Sindhi. I speak English as my schooling was in English medium. Karachi’s huge population migrated from India, we brought Urdu with us and so they call us Urdu Speaking People. I speak, love and cherish Urdu.”
Career challenges?
Noreen says that her biggest challenge has been to forge a path as a female journalist who will not work only on the fashion, health or education beat. “I don’t say they are not worthy beats to carry. But female journalists can and do report in political, security and other mainstream beats like any male journalists. I want to be a multimedia journalist who can carry a camera, make footage, write on political issues, who is tech savvy. Which could be a challenge living in Pakistani society but things are progressing and I am optimistic that females won’t be just a face on TV; they are and will keep doing serious journalism.”
Noreen has always kept her dreams alive and that is how she achieves her missions.
“Call it desire, dream, goals, targets. It a wish that keeps your soul alive, keeps you restless to chase your dreams. So there were good and hard times in my life. I started working early and along with my studies, I used to work 12 hours, taking classes in the evening. I faced downsizing yet at the same time I got that US Exchange fellowship. That fellowship urged me to move more into digital media. Meeting people from all over the world changed my pre-conceived notions.”
She dreamt of seeing herself in the UK on a Chevening a fellowship Program. “In hard times I believe your job is only to ask, believe you’ll get it and work hard towards your goals. So dream with open eyes because only such dreamers have the ability to achieve their dreams.”
Noreen is learning fast here in the UK, absorbing the British view on global politics, British culture and British history. “It will definitely enhance my career. I have a long way to go. I am thinking critically on the media issues of Pakistan and the hardship journalists face there on a day to day basis. I might end up doing something with digital media to promote freedom of expression or the development of media in Pakistan.”
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My elder sister is a Chartered Accountant and I am a Journalist, which is so unusual, being daughters in Pakistani society.” Noreen Shams, Chevening Scholar
