News and Events

IUIU to Boost Multimedia and Digital Journalism

• 31st January, 2023 10:37pm

By Kabigi Rashid

Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) has stepped up efforts to transform journalism into digital journalism by sponsoring two of its Mass communication staff to attend multimedia journalism and digital skills training. The training happened after the University acquired digital and Multimedia Studios equipment at its four Campuses. The two staff, Dr Muyingo Rajab Idd, the Head of the Mass Communication Department, and Mr Mayanja Yusuf, the IUIU FM Radio Station manager, are expected to roll out the training to other lecturers and students.

Dr Muyingo promised to pass on the skills to other staff in the department, who will then assist in training students to fulfil the University’s agenda of digitalizing journalism training in Uganda. “As a mass communication department, we appreciate the training in multimedia journalism; the skills acquired will enhance our teaching and learning experience and guide us in designing a diploma in Journalism and Digital Communication which is currently ongoing,” expressed Dr Muyingo.

The duo attended the two-day workshop organized by Ultimate media consult with support from the US Mission Uganda for journalism lecturers in Uganda.

Dr Muyingo further explained that the training is University’s effort to digitalize journalism in the country and beyond. He revealed that the University recently acquired ICT enhancement equipment worth 1.5 billion from the Islamic Development Bank. “The recently acquired ICT equipment is for establishing the digital multimedia studio at each Campus of the University, which will be used for audio-Visual and graphic production.” Dr Muyingo revealed.

The IUIU Mass Communication department, which offers more practical skills to students through its 93.1 FM Radio, promised to digitalize the radio section to increase audience reach. According to Mr Yusuf Musisi, IUIU FM Radio Manager, the acquired skills will enable the department to achieve its audio-visual dream. “Digital journalism skills will enable our staff to train students and hence go for our digitalized radio dream,” Musisi emphasized. He added that the aim is to transform journalism education in Uganda so that IUIU journalism graduates can favourably compete in the digital world.

Mr Edward Tumwine, the Training and Mentorship Manager of Ultimate Multimedia Consult, advised journalism lecturers to be vigilant while naming the course units during curriculum design so that the element of multimedia journalism is reflected in their course names and visible on students’ transcripts.

“Recently, NBS TV laid off its workers, and re-advertised jobs, targeting only digital/multimedia journalists. Would your graduates be suitable for such jobs?” He asked.

The multimedia journalism and digital skills training for journalism lecturers held from 22^nd to 24^th January 2023 at Elsie hotel in Masaka attracted 25 participants from 13 universities, including UCU, Victoria University, KIU, and Ndejje University, among others. Notably, the closing ceremony was graced by MR. Tony Kujawa, the US Mission spokesperson, and Ms Nanyonjo Dorothy, who attended virtually.