UMI recently hosted a stakeholders’ workshop to review its Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Communications as part of the reaccreditation process. The event brought together industry experts, academia, and practitioners to discuss the curriculum and ensure it meets the needs of the rapidly changing digital landscape.

Dr. George Lugalambi, Executive Director of the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of considering the end goal when conceptualizing programs. He noted that the digital landscape is dynamic and ever-changing, rendering terms like “digital journalism” and “multi-media journalism” somewhat obsolete.

The workshop highlighted the need for the curriculum to focus on:

1. Editorial Judgement: Developing sophisticated capability concerning discipline, ethics, and decision-making.
2. User Needs: Understanding audience requirements to create effective journalism.
3. Issues Management: Focusing on crisis communication and reputation management.
4. Audience Engagement: Building relationships with audiences in the digital space.

The UMI’s focus on scientific management and industry partnerships aims to address critical issues and solve real-world problems. Collaboration between academia and industry experts is crucial in ensuring that academic programs are relevant and effective.

The workshop covered aspects of best teaching practices, case studies, philosophical issues, and new modules to include in the proposed Diploma and Masters in Journalism and Communication studies. The goal is to create a curriculum that is relevant, effective, and approved by the National Council for Higher Education.

The stakeholders’ workshop marked a significant step towards reaccrediting the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Communications. By incorporating expert insights and industry best practices, the UMI aims to develop a curriculum that meets the needs of the digital era and produces competent journalism and communications professionals.