The AJF family will add 17 new members in August 2021, when the programme resumes after being disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Almost all those who applied to come to Singapore in 2020 were willing to be considered for a shorter programme to be run online, so we did not make a fresh call for applicants.
The 17 Fellows who make up AJF 2021 will join us as we work our way back from the pandemic that has affected all our lives since the beginning of 2020. It won’t be the same, of course. We will miss having a bunch of strangers meeting in Singapore, living together in shared apartments, getting to know each other over 12 weeks and leaving with plenty of hugs and tears, having made friends for life.
But all of us involved in AJF in Singapore will try to make the friendships happen and ensure a meaningful fellowship programme even though it will be shorter and conducted online. Some AJF alumni will join us as mentors, to help the 2021 Fellows get to know one another and the programme as well. We will learn as we go, and carry on.
I thank Temasek Foundation and the Institute of Policy Studies for supporting us in resuming the AJF. We hope that when hassle-free international travel becomes possible, the AJF 2021 Fellows will be able to gather in Singapore and meet in person.
On behalf of everyone at Temasek Foundation and the Institute of Policy Studies, I wish all friends of AJF well. We were saddened to mark the passing of two Fellows over the past year, Chanchal Pal Chauhan of India (AJF 2010), and Moniza Izam of Pakistan (AJF 2015). So many others have been affected deeply through the pandemic, at work and at home, and I hope everyone will find strength to stay safe and carry on, despite the changes we all continue to live with.
Thank you.
Alan John – Director, AJF
16 July 2021
2021 Fellows
BANGLADESH
Md Amdadul Haq, Senior Reporter, Channel 24, Chittagong
Amdadul is an award-winning TV journalist who has focused on the environment and climate change, and made a mark reporting on corruption. He is concerned about water shortages and wastage in Chittagong, Bangladesh’s commercial capital. His interests are photography, travelling, reading and movies.
BHUTAN
Chencho Dema, Senior Reporter, Business Bhutan, Thimphu
Chencho writes on politics, the environment, women and children. She was inspired to become a journalist by watching TV and seeing women presenters at work. She is especially proud of her reports on family abandonment and a teenage rape victim. Her interests are travelling, reading and movies.
CAMBODIA
Yea Chenda Khantey, Vice Chief, Asia-Pacific News, Agence Kampuchea Presse, Phnom Penh
Khantey worked with a trade magazine and an NGO providing legal support to women and children before joining Agence Kampuchea Presse. He is interested in new media and ways to combat fake news, particularly among young users of social media. His interests are photography, making short videos, movies and working out.
CHINA
Lu Mei Hui, Chief Reporter, People Magazine, Beijing
Mihoo is an award-winning writer who focuses on various aspects of Chinese society. She is keen to understand how various countries responded to Covid-19 and the pandemic’s long-term impact on the world, future crises and possible responses. Her interests are movies, nature documentaries, animals and travelling.
Jane Yuan, Editor, Hurun Report, Shanghai
Jane has gained a reputation and following for tracking China’s high net worth individuals for her publication, the Hurun Report. She has been described as “a walking encyclopaedia of China’s upper class”. She enjoys reading, movies and yoga.
HONG KONG
Ip Tsz Wa, Reporter, Anchor/Reporter, Phoenix TV, Hong Kong SAR
Sakura writes on local political news, pandemic business, technology, culture and film critics sometimes. She also covered the US president election 2020. She has been studying psychology, history of Chinese migrants in Southeast Asia in 19th and 20th century and learning the tango to live out her belief that “youth should not be wasted on the young”. She is described as “friendly, helpful and persistent”.
INDIA
Pankaj Upadhyay, Special Correspondent, Aaj Tak and India Today, Mumbai
Pankaj covers politics and civic affairs, but his heart lies in telling human interest stories, especially from India’s remote areas. He left his hometown in Uttarakhand to chase his dreams of becoming a journalist. He’s a foodie, enjoys travel vlogging and making short films, and has published a novel, Homecoming.
Aprajita Sharma, Freelance Financial Journalist, New Delhi
Aprajita is a financial journalist who specialises in personal finance and set her sights on gaining knowledge and expertise to be more effective in raising the level of financial literacy. She enjoys reading non-fiction, classical dance and music, and is a health and fitness enthusiast.
INDONESIA
Dyresti Nocetha, Assignment Editor, CNN Indonesia, Jakarta
Dyresti Nocetha has reported or led coverage on the environment, politics, young entrepreneurs, social and cultural issues, including the endangered tigers of Sumatra and the safety of women on long-distance train journeys. She is an active volunteer, enjoys learning languages and is described as “capable and compassionate, with a quiet leadership style and ability to manage conflict well.
Hayati Nupus, Correspondent, Xinhua, Jakarta
Hayati worked in Jogjakarta before moving to Jakarta, and she is interested in climate change, especially the impact of rising sea levels. Active in Indonesia’s Independent Journalism Alliance (AJI), she has advocated for better pay and improved welfare conditions for journalists. Her interests are reading, travelling, writing and research.
NEPAL
Anjali Subedi, Freelance Journalist, Kathmandu
Anjali was in university when she wrote a newspaper commentary disagreeing with a seasoned columnist’s view of student protests. She discovered the power of her writing and, despite hurdles along the way, went on to become an award-winning journalist. Her interests are travelling, new cultures, music, nature and writing poetry.
PHILIPPINES
Ferdinandh B. Cabrera, Freelance Multimedia Journalist, Mindanao
Ferdh is a veteran frontline journalist who has covered religious and political conflict and natural disasters. His work appears for GMA news, Mindanews, Licas, Agence France Presse and Associated Press.He also produces advocacy videos for various NGOs and international agencies. He enjoys outdoors adventures, water sports, biking, photography and cooking.
Mara Cepeda, Multimedia Reporter, Rappler, Manila.
Mara covers politics at a time when her own organisation, Rappler, is among newsrooms in the Philippines facing the wrath of the current Duterte administration. She is determined to pursue truth in journalism and improve her skills to produce stories that “make it harder for politicians to escape accountability for their actions”. She enjoys reading, Netflix and playing with her dogs.
SINGAPORE
Joyce Teo, Senior Health Correspondent, The Straits Times
Joyce has won awards for her Covid-19 coverage, and hosts a popular fortnightly podcast on health matters. She also writes about social problems such as mental health discrimination and ageism, hoping to change attitudes to such issues. Her interests are cooking, listening to music and podcasts and checking out new cafes.
SRI LANKA
Arun Arokianathan, Freelance Multimedia Journalist, Trainer, Colombo
Arun is a seasoned journalist reporting on reconciliation, human rights, governance, accountability, social welfare and new media literacy. He is a journalism trainer and exemplary life-long learner who has returned to school to improve his qualifications and expertise in digital journalism. He enjoys watching cricket and tennis, and feel good movies.
THAILAND
Rungthip Chotnapalai, Freelance TV Journalist, Bangkok
Rung is an award-winning presenter and contributor to integrated media platforms, university lecturer and professional media trainer. Aside from working with ITV, Thai PBS and Thai TV Channel 3 she is a narrator for royal events in Thailand. She enjoys travel, yoga, pilates and Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.
VIETNAM
Pham Thu Huong, Reporter/Sub-Editor, Vietnam News Agency, Hanoi
Huong wanted to be a journalist after seeing a Chinese movie about a female journalist who shared her name. She has gone on to win awards for her reports on the victims of Agent Orange, freedom of religion and the fight against illiteracy. She enjoys travelling and reading.