The FCA and the Australian Centre of Independent Journalism (ACIJ), based at the University of Technology, Sydney, have decided to cooperate on the following mutually beneficial issues.

From our perspective, the most important aspect of the agreement is that correspondent and journalist members will be able to have interested students work as their research assistants. Such a student would be able to do research, write stories and/or can assist with other correspondent/ journalist duties. The students can either work with you in your office or they can work from home or from a desk at the University. For a correspondent/journalist, chasing many deadlines, it is of great help to find a conscientious person do the research. Some kind of monetary remuneration would be highly desirable, but may not be always possible. A letter from the correspondent/journalist at the end of an internship, acknowledging the work, would be seen as essential. We have all been cadet journalists once! Details of such an internship, such as length of the assignment etc., will have to be discussed and negotiated directly between the FCA member, the student and the University. If you are looking for a student research assistant, email wombatnews@yahoo.com.au

Colleagues from out of town now have the opportunity to use limited work space in the offices of the ACIJ at the corner of Broadway and Harris Streets, if available. Please check availability directly with the Manager of the ACIJ, Jan McClelland (02 9514-2295), if you would like to make use of these premises. Bookings should be made approximately five days in advance.

The FCA can organise events at the university, where students and staff of ACIJ can be invited. Students can use the information collected at these briefings to write stories for media outlets they work for, or for their research.

FCA members might be invited to speak on a particular topic by the ACIJ.

When you need an expert quote on a particular subject, call Jan and ask for her advice if you were not successful in your search after using the UTS-website.

Occasionally UTS-students are interested in getting some overseas work experience. If your media outlet has such an opportunity, please let Urs Walterlin know.