Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono has introduced a PhD program in Journalism, Media, and Communication. The program received accreditation from the National Council For Higher Education (NHCE), which verified that UCU’s School of Journalism, Media, and Communication met all the necessary requirements for offering academic training at the doctoral level.
The decision to launch the UCU PhD in Journalism, Media, and Communication followed a comprehensive needs assessment, involving input from industry professionals, academics, and current and potential students. The assessment revealed a demand for PhD-level communication training in the country, with only one university currently offering a PhD by research in this field.
Professor Monica Chibita, the Dean of the School of Journalism, Media, and Communication, noted the timeliness of the program’s introduction, emphasizing its goal to address teaching, research, and supervision gaps in higher education institutions across East Africa. She highlighted the use of contextual curricula and innovative delivery methods.
The program aligns with UCU’s strategic vision of fostering research, innovation, and partnerships. Professor Chibita explained that the program aims to facilitate rigorous research leading to enhanced understanding and innovative solutions to specific challenges, both in Uganda and beyond. It also contributes to UCU’s efforts to recruit and retain staff with excellence in teaching and research.
Professor Chibita highlighted the increased demand for effective postgraduate supervision and research in communication, emphasizing its importance for democracy and development. She expressed that the shortage in this area has adverse effects on the growth of the communication sector, which is crucial for both democracy and development, and the PhD program aims to bridge this gap.
The program will begin with ten candidates and cover four main areas: media democracy and development in Africa, media, gender, identity, and participation, media and crisis, and health and science communication. It will prioritize innovative teaching and research methods and the need to decolonize communication theory, methods, and curricula.
Candidates will engage in coursework, proposal writing, and research. Collaboration with faculty members and partner universities in the region will also be encouraged. Full-time students are expected to complete the program in three to four years, while part-time students will have five to six years. Professor Chibita assured that support systems will be in place to assist candidates in completing their studies on time.
Dr. James Kiwanuka-Tondo, the coordinator of the PhD program, addressed the issue of extended graduate school stays. He explained that the program will focus on expediting the transition from the concept paper to proposal development and dissertation or thesis research, ensuring timely completion.
The program will commence with an eleven-member faculty, including four professors, two associate professors, and five senior lecturers drawn from UCU School of Journalism, Media, and Communication, University of Kwa Zulu Natal, University of Rwanda, and NLA in Norway. This diverse faculty composition reflects strong collaboration between partner universities and ongoing support for capacity development in higher education and research from the Norwegian government under the NORHED II program.
