By Nathanael Simbilyabo
There was more than one reason to raise a glass at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication’s celebration, as staff celebrated growth in student numbers, research and academic publications.
Held at Lekasa Gardens in Mukono, the celebration brought together staff and partners from other schools and faculties.
The school’s undergraduate programme has grown from 24 to 35 first-year, first-semester students, while the master’s programme now has more than 40 students. The PhD programme has also reached 12 students.
The increase in student numbers has come alongside more research and publications by staff and students.
One of those recognized was Dr. Samuel Kazibwe, who was celebrated for three research publications and received an award during the Annual Staff Excellence Awards.
Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo also highlighted research papers published by staff together with students, including Dorothy Nalugya, Prever Mukasa, Dr. Kazibwe and Dr. Fred Kakooza.
“So, you can see where we are going,” Kiwanuka-Tondo said, expressing confidence that the school would publish more papers this year.
The school also celebrated the successful Olutundo research project, which has taken research from the university to the community.
The project, led by Kiwanuka-Tondo and a team of UCU researchers, focused on improving communication about adolescent sexual and reproductive health among young people, parents and other community members in Mukono District.
The project was recently presented at its research dissemination conference at Nkoyoyo Hall, where its findings and communication tools were shared with different stakeholders.
But as the school celebrated its achievements, Acting Human Resources Director Winnie Thakker called on staff to do more to show their work to people outside the university.
She said the school has innovations and knowledge that can benefit other people if they are shared widely.
“If they realize we have such innovations, then we know that there are things they can learn from this,” Thakker said.
She encouraged the school to make better use of social media to share its work.
“Let us have the knowledge in those social media platforms, so that people realize that there is good work happening here,” she said.
Thakker also encouraged more staff to take part in research and senior researchers to support junior researchers.
“I only want that everyone gets engaged,” she said.
She also called for the school to recognize research as a team effort, alongside individual achievements.
“As much as we reward the individuals, but we also have the group,” she said.
Kiwanuka-Tondo said he was confident that the school would do better in the year ahead, pointing to the research already being produced by staff and students.
“I want to assure you that this year we’re going to do even better,” he said.
He also encouraged the school to remain innovative in order to attract more students and partners.
“I pray that we continue being innovative to attract more students and more stakeholders to come and partner with us,” he said.
The luncheon gave staff an opportunity to celebrate the school’s growth in student numbers, research and publications, while also reminding them to share more of their work with the wider community.
