Journalistutbildning i Rwanda, Fojo

A) Outcome 1-4, key results from capacity building of SJC (2015-21) With support from Fojo the education and training at SJC has been updated and modernised in several regards, with an emphasis on the practical subjects. Furthermore, lecturers research capacity has greatly improved as more and more of them have produced papers and have taken the opportunity to attend international conferences. Lecturers have introduced innovative teaching methods and have understood the demands and expectations in a modern news room. The volunteer programme with senior Swedish journalists, together with local guest lecturers from the region and the local media industry have provided platforms for practical training thereby updated knowledge of both lecturers and students. Curriculum developed for a Masters degree in Media and Communication Studies. The Project made it possible for SJC to arrange workshops for the lecturers involved in the curriculum review, with external experts supporting the process. Also a review of the curriculum for the undergraduate programme in journalism and communication was finalised in 2016, with input from the media industry, which shortened the programme from 4 to 3 years and led to a more up-to-date curriculum informed by changes in the media landscape and with a stronger gender focus. Research capacity is improved. The Project has made it possible for lecturers to attend international conferences which enhances the content primarily of the theoretical media subjects. Seven lecturers participated in international research conferences. As a result the number of research papers presented have increased significantly. Several articles have also been published in international journalism research publications as a result under this outcome. Also, to advance international networks, several MoUs with universities were made in order to start exchange programmes for lecturers and students and to enhance research networks. Students have acquired necessary practical radio and TV production skills. Through enhanced teaching and new technical equipment more students are now able to effectively practice their skills in hosting, interviewing and editing for radio and TV as a result of the Projects contribution to enhancing the radio and TV production teaching at the School of Journalism and Communication. . Students were offered the opportunity to strengthen their work experience through one-month extra internship. Through the Project the students were able to do one month extra internship, increasing the regular period in a work place from one month to two. Giving them more exposure to the professional world of journalism. Students have been exposed to practical knowledge, international perspectives and an understanding for the role of the media in other countries. International guests have introduced students to medias role in other parts of the world, and the principles of a free, independent and professional media. To contribute to an inclusive journalism education, the project supported 26 disadvantaged students through scholarships and 39 were supported with living allowances. These students would otherwise dropped out of school. An aspect of inclusion involved visually impaired students receiving more assistance from lecturers after a study on their needs was made. As a result, a greater understanding for their situation is developing The student newspaper, the Kaminuza Star, continues to be published. The student newspaper has provided first hand experiences of print and online publication, which is important as the opportunities for students to get practical journalism experiences are few. This has contributed to some students creating their own media houses. The relationship and interactions between SJC and the media industry have been strengthened through stakeholder meetings, short courses for professional journalists and guest lecturers from Rwandan media. SJC as a whole also has noticeable stronger confidence to engage in discussions with representatives from the sector. Interactions also increased significantly in connection with some 200 study tours to media houses for lecturers to visit students at their internships. There was also great interest from active journalists to attend the short courses for professional journalists that the project offered. B) Outcomes 5-7, main results from the bridging project (2020-21) The RBA newsroom in Kigali is updated to the same level of journalism standards as the regional newsrooms (reached in a previous SR MDO project). The 12 participants in the newsroom training (online due to the Pandemic) have started practicing the bottom-up approach based on public service values and international standards of journalism, started a shift towards a reporter-generated agenda, oriented towards the public and where power holders are put to account. As a result, participants have a clear understanding of the principles of public service news production and tools to start applying it on all RBA platforms (radio, TV and online). The participants also improved their skills in public service journalism, digital news publishing, audience dialogue and new insights to manage a multimedia newsroom. Another notable result example is that RBA now uses social media in a more interactive way. The online training in the national newsroom in Kigali is the first to have actively included social media and online content in the development of RBA news. As first steps towards strengthening gender equality in the sector, the project commissioned the report Barriers to women journalists in Rwanda which was well received with great seriousness by media stakeholders at the seminar arranged by the Swedish Embassy on June 9th, 2021, where the report was presented. Additionally, three workshops were arranged to bring together the three female journalists networks, striving for greater cooperation between them. PAX PRESS also organised in-house mentorship to 10 media houses to put in place viable gender policies for each of the media houses. Under the bridging period, a new sector-wide programme was developed. This was done in good consultation with all key stakeholders in the Rwandan media sector and a buy-in from all parties involved. It also inlcuded the first stages of a national audience research survey, and a number or other studies to inform the design of the new programme.    

The contribution includes two consecutive projects: 1) Capacity Building of the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC), University of Rwanda, 2015-2021. 2) Capacity Building of the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC), University of Rwanda, and Strengthening of the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) as a Public Service Media Provider, January 2020 31 May 2021. The latter covers the so-called bridging period/project, an extension of the original project, which included Swedish Radio Media Development Office (SR MDO) and was co-funded by the Embassy and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The Objectives for the Capacity Building of SJC project (2015-21): Overall objective: On a long-term basis, contribute to building sustainable capacity for the development of an independent, balanced and professional Rwandan media that allow for increased democratic participation among media producers, citizens and other stakeholders. Specific objective: Journalism education and training at SJC that is more adapted to the needs of professional demands from the media industry as well as the Rwandan audiences right to professional, independent and relevant reporting, addressing identified capacity gaps for the increasing opportunities provided by Rwandas growing media infrastructure and policy reforms. Outcome 1: SJC provide high quality education to enrolled students and contribute to the international research field of professional journalism Outcome 2: Students understand medias social, economic and political role in a democracy and are able to produce professional journalism in a converged media landscape Outcome 3: A strong mutual relationship developed between SJC and the media industry, where the two influence each other to jointly professionalise Rwandan media and bridge the gap between academia and practice Outcome 4: A well-functioning media institute efficiently and effectively delivering services to students and staff Changes in the Outcomes during the 'bridging project" 2020-21: Outcome 4 was discontinued during the bridging period while three new outcomes were added to the project. Outcome 5: First steps towards strengthening gender-sensitivity among media practitioners and academics in the field of journalism Outcome 6: A new sector-wide media programme prepared Outcome 7: Journalists at RBA strengthened in their capacity to produce and publish news and programs