The Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) on Friday held its 14th matriculation ceremony for a total of 820 students who are undertaking various courses.

Out of the number, 490 students are offering degree programmes, 240 students are reading diploma programmes while 96 are undertaking the new master’s degree programmes.

More than 1,800 applications were received for the degree programme in communication studies, 600 for the Diploma programme, and more than 300 including 20 foreign and international students applied for the postgraduate programmes.

Mr Perry Philip Kwabena Ofosu, Registrar of GIJ took the students through the matriculation oath which ushers students formally into the university.

Commenting on the newly introduced master’s programme, Dr Wilberforce Dzisah, Rector of GIJ said there was a competitive selection examination conducted for qualified applicants out of which 167 were successful after which 96 were selected for the programme through an interview section. He explained further that 11 students were offered programme in Masters in Arts (MA) Journalism, 15 for MA in Media Management, 35 students offering MA in Public Relations and another 35 offering MA in Development Communication.

Dr Dzisah said the rigorous selection criteria are indication of the Institute’s commitment to ensure the highest standards for the programmes being offered by the School.

“Besides, the ultimate objective is to turn out graduates who will not only be on top of their area of expertise but also exhibit that rare quality of knowledge and skills in the ever demanding and competitive job market,” he said.

He assured the student body that GIJ is now a full-fledged university which awards its own degrees, diplomas and certificates after being awarded a presidential charter in 2009.

He asked the matriculants to be disciplined and worthy ambassadors of the Institute as well as strive to live in accordance with the rules and regulations of GIJ.

On the constraints of office space for lecturers of the School, Dr Dzisah said such challenges are being tackled and that the new campus made up of a four-storey administration and classroom block at Okponglo in Accra is still under construction.

He said Ghana Education Trust Fund, which is sponsoring the project had settled its indebtedness to the contractor.

“By this we expect the contractor to go back to site and continue the project while we talk about other issues that have come up as a result of the delay,” Dr Dzisah said.

He said there are also talks with other estate developers under a public-private-partnership and built operate and transfer agreement to construct hostels at the new site to help lessen the burden on students who struggle to find accommodation while they study at the institute.