University of Media, Arts and Communication
The University of Media, Arts and Communication- Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ), formerly the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), is a public university in Ghana.[1] The University is a merger of the erstwhile Ghana Institute of Journalism, the National Film and Television Institute, established and the Ghana Institute of Languages. The institute is accredited by the National Accreditation Board.[2][3]
UniMAC-IJ has campuses in Accra at Ringway, Osu, and North Dzorwulu.[1]
UniMAC-IJ is connected to a religious non-denominational Christian group known as Campus Christian Family (CCF)and has the GIJ chapter, where services are held on both campuses.[4]
History
[edit]The Ghana Institute of Journalism was established on 16 October 1959 by Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana. The school was formally called the School of Journalism and was a department at the Accra Technical Institute (now Accra Technical University). The first principal and journalism tutor was Richard McMillan.[1] The university's library is named in his honor.[5]
The school became the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1974.[1][4] The school received its presidential charter establishing it as a university in 2009.[6][7] Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), National Films and Television Institute (NAFTI), and Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL) were merged as a University by an act of Parliament (Act 1059) in 2022.
Chancellor and Vice Chancellor
[edit]| Name
Eric Opoku Mensah 2024 |
Duration |
| Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo | 2018–2022 |
| Modestus Fosu | 2018 |
| W.S.K Dzisah | 2014–2018 |
| David Newton | 2009–2014 |
| Kweku Rockson | 2006–2009 |
| David Newton | 1993–2006 |
| Kojo Yankah | 1984–1993 |
| Kwame Duffour | 1983–1984 |
| Kabral Blay Amihere | 1982–1983 |
| R. Quartey | 1979–1982 |
| G. F. Dove | 1973–1978 |
| Fred Agyeman | 1969–1973 |
| Martin Tay | 1968–1969 |
| W.G. Smith | 1965–1966 |
| Cecil Forde | 1963–1965 |
| Sam Arthur | 1962–1963 |
The University is in the face of a transition
The Richard McMillan Library
Programs
[edit]The school runs Diploma, Bachelor of Arts, and Masters programs.[8]
- The Diploma Program is a 2-year program consisting of communication, social sciences, and arts subjects.
- The Bachelor of Arts program is a 4-year program with options of specializing in either Journalism or Public Relations.
- The Masters Programs is a 1-year program with options to specialize in Public Relations, Journalism, Media Management, and Development Communication.
- A two-year B.A. in Communication Studies Top-Up Programme for Diploma graduates.[9]
Faculties/Departments
[edit]- Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences[10]
- Faculty of Journalism & Media Studies[11]
- Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising & Integrated Marketing[12]
- School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR)[13]
- School of Alternative Learning[14]
Controversies
[edit]The management of the university was labeled as 'insensitive' to the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, after the school increased its facility user fees for the 2020/21 academic year. It led to a protest on social media and the decision was later reversed.[15]
The management of the institution asked students who paid their fees late to defer their courses for the academic year. The students protested and accused the management as 'unfair' and 'insensitive' as they were not aware of the consequences.[16] Some students were denied access to the two campuses of the institution.[17] The management later allowed the students to register for their end-of-semester exams.[18]
Amnesty for non-graduating students
[edit]In November 2020, students who had not been able to graduate since 2013, were given the opportunity by the academic board to register and complete their programs. This was to be done within three years.[19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Overview". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ "Ghana Institute of Journalism". www.nab.gov.gh. Retrieved June 21, 2012. [dead link]
- ^ "Ghana Institute of Journalism:History". www.gij.edu.gh. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
- ^ a b "Ghana Institute of Journalism at 60 with no accommodation?". GhanaWeb. 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ "History of the Office". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Ghana Institute of Journalism now a University". ModernGhana. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ Wod, Lawson (2022-12-14). "GIJ merges with two other Institutions to become a New University". CoverGhana. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
- ^ "Academic Courses – Ghana Institute of Journalism". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
- ^ "Home". Ghana Institute of Journalism. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ "Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ "Faculty of Journalism & Media Studies". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ "Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising & Integrated Marketing". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ "School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR)". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ "School of Alternative Learning". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ "UG reduces fees for 2020/21 academic year". GhanaWeb. 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
- ^ "GIJ students protest over new directive to defer course for late payment of fees - MyJoyOnline.com". MyJoyOnline. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ "GIJ locks out students". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ "GIJ pardons students directed to defer academic year over late payment of fees". Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
- ^ "GIJ grants amnesty to students yet to graduate since 2013". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
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