Accra, July 21, GNA – Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged universities in the country to adapt smart and digital technologies to facilitate teaching and learning and compete favourably with peers across the world.
He noted that the world, over the last decade, had entered into a digital era, one which dictated almost every aspect of human life.
Universities must, therefore, adapt these technologies to create the required learning environment to enhance delivery.
Former President Mahama said this in a recorded speech at the launch of the 50th Anniversary of the Department of Communication Studies (DCS), University of Ghana, in Accra, of which he is an Alumnus.
The anniversary is to, among other things, celebrate successes chalked over the past five decades by the Department as well as restructure to deliver quality communication training to meet current trends.
It was on the theme: “50 Years of Excellence in Communication Scholarship and Training: Reimagining the Field in a Digital Era.”
Mr Mahama noted that digital communication had enhanced education delivery with online learning reaching a far expansive population beyond the confines of a physical classroom, while encouraging inter and intra institutional exchange of library materials, facilitating easy teaching, learning and research.
“In this respect, I look forward to seeing a future where all our traditional universities can fully embrace smart, digital technology and adapt an immersive learning technology to stimulate the required learning environment scenario to facilitate teaching and learning,” he said.
“ In our time here in this school, video, voice and data stood independently of each other with minimal interface.”
“From a previously analogue world in which we existed and we were taught, we have over the last few decades entered a digital era, one that dictates almost every aspect of our way of life.”
He commended Management, staff and students of the DCS, as well as the entire University, for their contributions toward molding the school into a world-class institute.
Mr Mahama urged the Department to build on the gains made for present and future generations to leapfrog to higher heights and pledged to support the ICT programme of the University with computers.
Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, the Deputy Minister of Information, applauded the Department of Communication Studies for its enormous contribution to the information sector.
She assured it of the Ministry’s continued support to enhance its research work.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana, charged the Department to leverage on its reputation as a centre of excellence in media and communication scholarship and training to spread its impact.
“As you continue to maintain your niche in post graduate studies, it is time that due consideration is given to undergraduate programmes such as a BA in Communication Studies as a critical component of the liberal arts education that the University of Ghana is well known for,” she said.
“This will be in line with current global trends and satisfy a yawning market need.”
Dr Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, the Head of Department, said for an institution that prided itself in excellence, it was well-aware of the changing media and communications landscape anchored on the power of technology and innovation.
The ever-changing digital technologies, she said, had not only transformed communication practice but also required newer, more robust theorising and testing tools to make sense of the evolutions.
To ensure the DCS’ continued relevance while making communication studies accessible to more people, as well as training professionals well-fitted to current needs, it was restructuring its offerings by introducing four new programmes, Dr Yeboah-Banin said.
These programmes (two regular and two flexible) are in Strategic Communications and Multimedia Journalism.
“We are also working towards introducing short courses that tackle emergent needs in industry, including, for instance, local language broadcasting,” she disclosed.
Dr Yeboah-Banin appealed for financial support to enable the Department to construct a larger office complex fitted with adequate teaching and learning facilities to promote the cause of the school.
She commended the Anniversary Planning Committee, chaired by Dr Kweku Mensah Bonsu, an Advertising and Marketing Consultant, for the yeoman’s job.
Activities for the year-long programme include the launch of the State of the Media Report, monthly lecture series on Communication, and a Homecoming event.
Established in 1972 as the Institute of Journalism and Communication Studies, and later changed to the School of Communication Studies, the DCS sought to improve practice and understanding of Journalism and Mass Communication, as well as add knowledge through research.
