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

The Ghana Institute of Journalism was established on 16 October 1959 (1959-10-16) 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 honour.[5]

The school became the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1974 (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

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

Programmes

The school runs Diploma, Bachelor of Arts, and Masters programmes.[8]

  • The Diploma Programme is a two-year programme consisting of communication, social sciences, and arts subjects.
  • The Bachelor of Arts programme is a four-year programme with options of specializing in either Journalism or Public Relations.
  • The Masters Programmes is a one-year programme 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

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 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

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 programmes. This was to be done within three years.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Overview". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Ghana Institute of Journalism". www.nab.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  3. ^ "Ghana Institute of Journalism:History". www.gij.edu.gh. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Ghana Institute of Journalism at 60 with no accommodation?". GhanaWeb. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  5. ^ "History of the Office". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Ghana Institute of Journalism now a University". ModernGhana. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  7. ^ Wod, Lawson (14 December 2022). "GIJ merges with two other Institutions to become a New University". CoverGhana. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Academic Courses – Ghana Institute of Journalism". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 23 January 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  9. ^ "Home". Ghana Institute of Journalism. 18 May 2023. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Faculty of Journalism & Media Studies". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising & Integrated Marketing". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  13. ^ "School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR)". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  14. ^ "School of Alternative Learning". Ghana Institute of Journalism. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  15. ^ "UG reduces fees for 2020/21 academic year". GhanaWeb. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  16. ^ "GIJ students protest over new directive to defer course for late payment of fees - MyJoyOnline.com". MyJoyOnline. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  17. ^ "GIJ locks out students". Graphic Online. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  18. ^ "GIJ pardons students directed to defer academic year over late payment of fees". Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  19. ^ "GIJ grants amnesty to students yet to graduate since 2013". Graphic Online. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
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