University of Media, Arts and Communication explained

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.

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] [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

NameEric Opoku Mensah2024Duration
Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo2018–2022
Modestus Fosu2018
W.S.K Dzisah2014–2018
David Newton2009–2014
Kweku Rockson2006–2009
David Newton1993–2006
Kojo Yankah1984–1993
Kwame Duffour1983–1984
Kabral Blay Amihere1982–1983
R. Quartey1979–1982
G. F. Dove1973–1978
Fred Agyeman1969–1973
Martin Tay1968–1969
W.G. Smith1965–1966
Cecil Forde1963–1965
Sam Arthur1962–1963
The University is in the face of a transition

The Richard McMillan Library

Programs

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

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

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Overview . July 29, 2023 . Ghana Institute of Journalism.
  2. Web site: Ghana Institute of Journalism . https://web.archive.org/web/20120308145254/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 . dead . March 8, 2012 . June 21, 2012 . www.nab.gov.gh.
  3. Web site: Ghana Institute of Journalism:History . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303141809/http://www.gij.edu.gh/page.php?static=91 . 2016-03-03 . 2016-02-21 . www.gij.edu.gh.
  4. Web site: History of the Office . Ghana Institute of Journalism . 29 July 2023.
  5. Web site: 2019-05-02 . Ghana Institute of Journalism at 60 with no accommodation? . 2023-08-02 . GhanaWeb . en.
  6. Web site: Ghana Institute of Journalism now a University . June 21, 2012 . ModernGhana..
  7. Web site: Wod . Lawson . 2022-12-14 . GIJ merges with two other Institutions to become a New University . 2024-06-15 . CoverGhana . en-US.
  8. Web site: Academic Courses – Ghana Institute of Journalism . 2018-09-17 . Ghana Institute of Journalism . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2023-05-18 . Home . 2023-07-28 . Ghana Institute of Journalism . en-US.
  10. Web site: Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences . 2023-07-12 . Ghana Institute of Journalism . en-US.
  11. Web site: Faculty of Journalism & Media Studies . 2023-07-12 . Ghana Institute of Journalism . en-US.
  12. Web site: Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising & Integrated Marketing . 2023-07-12 . Ghana Institute of Journalism . en-US.
  13. Web site: School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR) . 2023-07-12 . Ghana Institute of Journalism . en-US.
  14. Web site: School of Alternative Learning . 2023-07-12 . Ghana Institute of Journalism . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2020-11-19 . UG reduces fees for 2020/21 academic year . 2020-11-20 . GhanaWeb. . en.
  16. Web site: GIJ students protest over new directive to defer course for late payment of fees - MyJoyOnline.com . 2021-03-24 . MyJoyOnline . 24 March 2021 . en-US.
  17. Web site: GIJ locks out students. 2021-03-24. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  18. Web site: 2021-03-25. GIJ pardons students directed to defer academic year over late payment of fees. 2021-03-26. Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  19. Web site: GIJ grants amnesty to students yet to graduate since 2013. 2020-11-27. Graphic Online. en-gb.

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