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Expanding and Strengthening Journalism Education at Unity University

Expanding and Strengthening Journalism Education at Unity University. Prof. Lee B. Becker College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. Prof. Seyoum Alemu School of Journalism & Communication, Unity University College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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Expanding and Strengthening Journalism Education at Unity University

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  1. Expanding and Strengthening Journalism Education at Unity University Prof. Lee B. Becker College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA Prof. Seyoum Alemu School of Journalism & Communication, Unity University College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  2. Objectives of the Project • Build upon and expand the curriculum in journalism at Unity. • Transfer expertise about journalism instructional techniques and substantive areas of instruction to the faculty at Unity. • Provide design and technical support to Unity in the area of web design in support of the journalism curriculum. • Provide training for journalism and communication students and working journalists in Ethiopia.

  3. The Partners: Unity College • Unity University College established as a language school in 1992. • Unity became a fully-accredited four-year college in 1998. • It currently enrolls about 10,000 students. • In 2000, Unity launched a two-year journalism curriculum leading to a diploma. • In July of 2002 the Department of Journalism and Communication was upgraded to a school. • Two-year diploma program expanded to a three-year degree program. School of Journalism and Communication Offices

  4. The Partners: University of Georgia • The Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is a fully-accredited journalism program with nearly 1,000 students. • The collaboration with Unity is managed as an outreach activity of the College by the James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research, a unit of the College. Journalism and Mass Communication Building

  5. Activities in Year Two • Two-person team visited Unity in January of 2003. • One member of team visited Unity in July of 2003. • Academic Vice President of Unity visited U.S. in July of 2003. • Faculty member of Unity School of Journalism and Communication visited U.S. in July and August of 2003.

  6. Outcomes of Team Visit in January 2003 to Addis Ababa • American team met with Unity faculty and reviewed curriculum proposed for degree program. • Written critique and sample curricula provided after visit. • Team taught outreach course for working journalists on “The Challenges of News Selection and Writing.” • Met with IT Director to discuss web product for the School of Journalism and Communication and its interface with the new web site for Unity College. Yikirta Alemu and Dr. Roushanzamir

  7. Outcomes of Activities in July 2003 in Addis Ababa • Continued consultation and collaboration on the new curriculum. • Assisted with updated application for Knight International Press Fellow to assist in teaching in School of Journalism and Communication. • Taught a class for students on Civic Journalism. Dr. Melinda Robins with students

  8. Outcome of Activities in July 2003 by Academic Vice President of Unity University College • Academic VP met with administrators and faculty at • University of Georgia • Piedmont College • Clark Atlanta University • American University • Academic VP was interviewed for African Perspectives at WUGA • Academic VP visited CNN, Athens Banner Herald and Red & Black • Academic VP visited International Center for Journalists and VOA Dr. Eyayu at CNN

  9. Outcome of Activities in July 2003 by JAC Faculty Member of Unity University College • Observed classes of Grady College • Visited newspaper, radio and television facilities. • Met with professors and students at universities in Athens and Washington. • Reviewed the web product created for Unity. • Attended the meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Prof. Alemu with Prof. Dan Keever

  10. Summary: What has partnership done to strengthen host country capacity • Visits by the team have assisted Unity with its outreach program, allowing it to serve important constituencies and strengthen its own image in the country. • Provided books and other resources for Unity faculty and students. • Helped with curricular revisions during transition stage to degree program. • Provided web product that can be used in instruction in the future. • Provided to faculty and leadership at Unity new ways of looking at professional education. Nancy Mace presents web design Web Home Page

  11. Problems Encountered • Communication continued to be a problem. • Infrastructure in country is simply inadequate. • Lack of funding for equipment. • Instability of educational and training policy of Ethiopia. • Turnover in leadership of JAC and in faculty. • Lack of support in country for free and independent media system.

  12. Challenges for the Future for Unity University College’s School of Journalism and Communication • Lack of funding for equipment. • Lack of qualified instructors. • Limited student capacity, particularly for English-based instruction. • Limited student confidence that journalism is a viable career in Ethiopia. • Limited internship opportunities.

  13. Long-Term Needs of Unity • Equipment and laboratories for students. • Visiting faculty from abroad for semester or year-long periods. • Continued opportunities for the current faculty to travel abroad and learn of media behavior and journalism education abroad. Dean Tegest Heruy visits Grady College Laboratory

  14. Sustainability of Project • Cox Center is committed to continue to work with Unity University College. • Center is seeking funding for continued collaboration with Unity’s School of Journalism and Communication. • Cox Center is assisting in application for visiting faculty member. • Used equipment has been provided to Unity by VOA and USAID, providing some assistance with laboratory needs. • This equipment could be used for distance education.

  15. External Communication • Reports of the partnership appear on the web site of the Cox Center. • www.grady.uga.edu/coxcenter • A report on the project has appeared in Grady News, a publication of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. • Unity used a television clip from one of the workshops conducted through this project to promote it outreach Training Center. • On July 10, 2003, an interview with Unity Academic Vice President was broadcast on WUGA’s African Perspective. Dr. Becker at end of workshop

  16. Members of the Team Seyoum Alemu, Tegest Heruy, Elli Roushanzamir, Abdu Mozayen Tegest Heruy, Seyoum Alemu, Melinda Robins, Lee Becker Eyayu Lulseged, Fisseha Eshetu

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