Journalism students want a masters in Journalism Introduced

 

By Samuel Ejoku

Whereas some Students in other universities struggle to finish their first degrees and promise to do their masters in other universities, this is not the case with a section of Journalism Students of Cavendish university Uganda who are pleading for the university to introduce a masters in Mass communication and Journalism

Speaking to this publication, Charles Ochaya who is a long-distance Learning student and a graduate of Social Work and Social Administration of Kyambogo University and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Cavendish University now in third year said the university should introduce a master’s program in Mass Communication and Journalism to cater for students’ interest willing to continue with studies in Cavendish.

The Acting Vice Chancellor Cavendish University Uganda Dr. Olive Sabiti (Photo Source; Internet)

He explained that, by having a master’s degree in mass Communication and journalism, the university will be able to retain their best students who enrol for the master’s program and can be absorbed to teach and others sent to the labour market.

Ochaya said the papers of Cavendish University are highly valued out there in the job market and would want his masters done in the University imploring the university management to look into this concern.

The Karamoja based student who cherishes the University for having blended teaching and research-based mode of Assessment said if the University takes long to respond to the demand, he will consider meeting the University Vice Chancellor over the matter with a team of concerned students.

“To be sincere, I don’t want another hustle of looking for where to go for a master’s program in Journalism yet Cavendish could be my stop point academic giant for all my academic needs.,” Ochaya roared.

Also, Julius Ceaser Kasujja, also a third-year student of Journalism adds his voice to Ochaya who said with the experienced Lecturers the University has, and the dedicated academic staff, he would appreciate studying for his Masters in Journalism in Cavendish if the University management considered introducing it.

“Let me tell you, Cavendish University is a class apart when it comes to delivering lessons which are industry tailored. The use of latest Technology is something which most institutions are still struggling with but here, innovations are ahead. This explains why I would recommend whoever is interested in pursuing University education to join cavendish,” Kassuja said.

“The university cares about us students and here there is value for money. Imagine a university official taking his /her time to call you on phone to inquire if all is well with you at Cavendish. Look at that kind of hospitality and concern for students! Am not sure if this happens too in other learning institutions in Uganda,” Kassuja asked.

Kassuja appealed to the university management to speed up the process of bringing on board the master’s program since he is interested to further his studies in journalism at Cavendish after his Journalism first degree.

Relatedly, Brian Nick Otoke, a full-time student also pursuing a Bachelor in Journalism at Cavendish in third year joins his colleagues saying Cavendish university has made a name a thing he wants to identify with.

“Enrolment process in this place is not cumbersome, the institution has made the process very easy with the help of the admission counsellors. This makes the students’ lives easy. Also the library is well equipped and the books available are up-to-date,” Otoke explained.

Meanwhile, the head of department journalism and mass Communication in the faculty of Social Science Herbert Mudoola said the students have not yet brought to his attention their demand.

Mudoola observed that much as the students have a point in their demand, but only a few of them are interested in the program.

“There is a required number of students if the program is going to run. Each program has to be cost effective because this is business. There are few people who need a masters in Journalism currently and this will not make the program sustainable in terms of cost implication,” Mudoola explained.

When Samuel Ejoku sought for a comment from the Acting University Vice Chancellor Dr. Olive Sabiti, she said they do not want to introduce courses just for the sake of it but introduce courses which are market relevant and new.

She further explained that now that students are demanding for the introduction of the program, they are going to look into it after carrying out market research which she thinks should be undertaken by the department of Journalism.

“I challenge students who want the master’s program in Mass communication introduced to put their demand in writing and submit to my office,” Dr. Sabiti advised.

The academician also further added that, another helpful approach is by students to talk to their faculty lecturers who understand the discipline and know what is out there to weigh into their demands.