By Yasiri J. Kasango
The Uganda Christian University’s School of Journalism, Media, and Communication (JMC) is preparing to offer short courses in journalism and communication beginning on March 15th, 2023.
John Semakula, the Head of Department at the Undergraduate School of Journalism, Media, and Communication, notes that the rapid technological advancements taking place in the world today greatly impact the industry.
“The technology has diversified the communication fraternity, calling for new knowledge to fit in that space,” said Semakula.
Semakula adds that this is why “UCU’s JMC has developed a series of short courses aimed at keeping professionals up-to-date with the latest trends and skills in the field.”
According to the school, the short course program is targeting those who may want to update their knowledge in the communication and journalism fields.
“There are some people who are working in the field of journalism and communication who would wish to update their skills in their profession,” said Semakula, “but also those – in vacation – who wish to have an entry basis in these fields.”
Christopher Muchwa Mogal, who graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in law and whose longtime desire is producing movies, is excited about a short course in film that he anticipates will equip him with hands-on basics for the course.
“I think these courses will be more practical, vigorous, and spot-on given the program’s short time frame, and yet participants in the end ought to go back home with credible skills,” said Mogal.
He has a feeling that the knowledge in the short course will concentrate on what he loves to learn about movie production.
Expressed views suggest that the launch of these short courses is an exciting development for UCU’s JMC, as it seeks to remain at the forefront of media education and training in Uganda and beyond.
Samuel Tatambuka, a former lecturer at the JMC, has implored practicing personnel in the communication field to take advantage of the short course to update their professional knowledge.
“Most of the short courses are designed to bring out the practicality of the full course.” “They limit too much theory and dive directly to the gist of the course,” said Tatambuka.
Clara Maria Mutesi, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, class of 2021, has appreciated the school’s initiative.
“The communication and journalism professions are very dynamic fields that keep changing over time. Therefore, these courses will help remind us of the basics of our profession and update how to approach the digital environment we are operating in,” said Mutesi.
