The first cohort of twenty (20) doctoral students for the PhD in Media and Communication Studies at the University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC), participated in an orientation programme on Friday, February 28, 2025. The programme was aimed to familiarise them with the University’s academic environment and their responsibilities as doctoral students.
Dr. George Asamoah, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR), provided an overview of the PhD programme, emphasizing its four-year duration and the academic exercises required each year. He encouraged students to adhere to the university’s regulations and seek guidance from programme coordinators when needed.
Deans, Heads of Directorates and Departmental from various faculties, including the Faculty of Journalism, the Faculty of Public Relations, the Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences, the Faculty of Film and Television, Directorate of Academic Affairs and the Security Session, also addressed the students by outlining the structure of the academic programmes, security and support services within their faculties and departments. They all assured the students of their availability to provide support. “Our doors are always open to assist you in anything related to academia,” stated Dr. Daniel Odoom, Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences.
Prof. Etse Sikanku, Director of the Directorate of Research and Innovation (DRID), urged students to participate in research related programmes organised at UniMAC to deepen their academic knowledge. He emphasized the fact that, “this level of education requires in-depth research and reading and these research-related seminars would shape your perspectives and choice of thesis in solving contemporary issues”.
The University Librarian, Dr. Lydia Nyantakyi, stressed on the importance of utilising the library’s extensive resources to support their research and studies. She presented to the students the breadth of resources available at UniMAC to support research and learning and added that, “our doors are always open to support you on your academic journey to excellence”.
In addition to academic guidance, the Dean of Students, Dr. Mrs. Rhodalene Amartey, encouraged the students to prioritise their well-being. She advised them to participate in university-organised programmes to build networks, maintain good mental health, and foster healthy relationships. She remarked that, “take your mental health and social life seriously, develop healthy relationships, and participate in organised activities because it is important to balance your studies with social and personal well-being”.
The Director of Public Affairs, Ms. Nana Efua Rockson, who moderated the programme, also, informed the students of their important role as brand ambassadors of UniMAC and how their actions and inactions reflect on the university. She ended the orientation session with an anecdotal story which stressed on the importance of perseverance, resilience and commitment to achieve success at the end.
It would be recalled that UniMAC launched its maiden PhD in Media and Communication Studies late 2024. Through a rigorous selection process, the first twenty students were selected to form the first cohort. This underscores UniMAC’s commitment to advancing professionalism and research in communication and media in Ghana and beyond.
UniMAC is a merger of the erstwhile Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and the Ghana Institute of Languages by an Act of Parliament 2020 (Act 1059). The Act envisages a holding University with constituent Institutes with the power to award degrees of the holding University. UniMAC is uniquely positioned to deliver excellence in Media, Arts and Communications education at the tertiary level.