The Memorandum of Understanding to promote Media and Information Literacy (MIL) among the students was signed between the Center for Media and Information Literacy (CMIL) and the University of Jaffna on the 19^th of July 2022 at the University of Jaffna.

This MoU provides the framework required for both the University of Jaffna and the CMIL to collaborate, share expertise, and work with students and staff to promote activities such as research, training, knowledge-sharing events, and publications in promoting critical news and information consumption. 

The MoU was signed on behalf of both organizations by Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, Vice-Chancellor, the University of Jaffna, and Dr. M.A.Y. Arafath, Director, Center for Media and Information Literacy (CMIL). Prof. K. Suthakar, Dean, Faculty of Arts; Prof. S. Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies; Ms. Anusha Sivaneswaran, and Deputy Registrar, Faculty of Arts; as well as lecturers, attended the occasion. 

Under this MoU, both institutions will work together to develop a MIL education assessment toolkit to analyze the strength and viability of MIL education in Sri Lanka and to engage academia and other stakeholders to develop a country-specific strategy paper to promote MIL education in Sri Lanka.

As per the agreement, MIL summits will also organized by the CMIL and the Department of Media Studies at the University of Jaffna as co-hosts for senior academics, students, and research fellows in the media and communication fields from Sri Lankan universities to share their experience in teaching and learning MIL, providing a space for a practical learning experience and ideas to strengthen MIL education in Sri Lanka.  

Speaking at the event, Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Jaffna stated that “It is extremely important to promote MIL amongst the students, enabling them to successfully identify contents that are misleading and not factually supported.” He added, “The Internet has become a polluted ocean with a lot of false information, and not only students but also every citizen should be trained to carefully navigate this space.”. 

Speaking at the same event, Dr. Arafath added, “ Developing critical consumption habit has become very timely”.