University of Media, Arts and Communication
Topic: Organization
From HandWiki - Reading time: 3 min
The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC-GIJ), formerly the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), is a public university in Ghana.[1] The institute is accredited by the National Accreditation Board.[2][3]
UniMAC-GIJ has campuses in Accra at Ringway, Osu, and at North Dzorwulu.[1]
History
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.[4]
The school became the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1974.[1][5] The school received its presidential charter establishing it as a university in 2009.[6]
Directors/rectors
| Name | Duration |
| Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo | 2018– |
| 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 |
Programs
The school runs Diploma, Bachelor of Arts and Masters programs.[7]
- The Diploma Program is a 2-year program consists 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.[8]
Faculties/Departments
- Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences[9]
- Faculty of Journalism & Media Studies[10]
- Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising & Integrated Marketing[11]
- School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR)[12]
- School of Alternative Learning[13]
Controversies
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 2020/21 academic year. It led to a protest on social media and the decision was later reversed.[14]
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.[15] Some students were denied access to the two campuses of the institution.[16] The management later allowed the students to register for their end-of-semester exams.[17]
Amnesty for non graduating students
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.[18]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Overview". https://gij.edu.gh/overview/.
- ↑ "Ghana Institute of Journalism". www.nab.gov.gh. http://www.nab.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=141:ghana-institute-of-journalism-gij&catid=57:public-universitiesprofessional-institutions-2&Itemid=198. [|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
- ↑ "Ghana Institute of Journalism:History". http://www.gij.edu.gh/page.php?static=91.
- ↑ "History of the Office". https://gij.edu.gh/history-of-the-office/.
- ↑ "Ghana Institute of Journalism at 60 with no accommodation?" (in en). 2019-05-02. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/Ghana-Institute-of-Journalism-at-60-with-no-accommodation-742973.
- ↑ "Ghana Institute of Journalism now a University". ModernGhana.. http://www.modernghana.com/news/240302/1/ghana-institute-of-journalism-now-a-university.html.
- ↑ "Academic Courses – Ghana Institute of Journalism" (in en-US). http://gij.edu.gh/courses-2/.
- ↑ "Home" (in en-US). 2023-05-18. https://gij.edu.gh/.
- ↑ "Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences" (in en-US). https://gij.edu.gh/faculty-of-integrated-and-communication-sciences/.
- ↑ "Faculty of Journalism & Media Studies" (in en-US). https://gij.edu.gh/faculty-of-journalism-media-studies/.
- ↑ "Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising & Integrated Marketing" (in en-US). https://gij.edu.gh/faculty-of-pr-advertising-marketing/.
- ↑ "School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR)" (in en-US). https://gij.edu.gh/school-of-graduate-studies-and-research-sogsar/.
- ↑ "School of Alternative Learning" (in en-US). https://gij.edu.gh/school-of-alternative-learning/.
- ↑ "UG reduces fees for 2020/21 academic year" (in en). 2020-11-19. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/UG-reduces-fees-for-2020-21-academic-year-1112788.
- ↑ "GIJ students protest over new directive to defer course for late payment of fees - MyJoyOnline.com" (in en-US). https://www.myjoyonline.com/gij-students-protest-over-new-directive-to-defer-course-for-late-payment-of-fees/.
- ↑ "GIJ locks out students" (in en-gb). https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/gij-locks-out-students.html.
- ↑ "GIJ pardons students directed to defer academic year over late payment of fees" (in en-US). 2021-03-25. https://citinewsroom.com/2021/03/gij-pardons-students-directed-to-defer-academic-year-over-late-payment-of-fees/.
- ↑ "GIJ grants amnesty to students yet to graduate since 2013" (in en-gb). https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/education/gij-grants-amnesty-to-students-yet-to-graduate-since-2013.html.
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