From an analysis of the issues to action
Moving forward, I start by sharing the following thoughts that came to my mind after reading through all the feedback on this discussion.
Context:
·
The discussions generally confirmed that academically based C4D training is weak around the world. However I get the idea the extent differs according to regions.
·
Experts who have visited diverse NGOs around the world have confirm too that there is general lack of communication capacity (would be good if they could give an indication of the regions)
·
Sub Saharan Africa region seems to be the weakest with most University focusing on journalism, public relations and marketing communications. (Would be good to understand why through a research of some sort. If such research exists somewhere please share a link)
Map of a network/database: It is important to have a Map of a network/database of C4D courses and Universities by region. I am not sure what the current survey will establish but this is important information as we proceed. (If not done maybe one action point)
MOOC: I support the idea, and would like to point out the following contextual issues:
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Uptake especially in the sub Saharan region might be a challenge because of a number of factors that include among others:
o
Access to internet data,
o
Employers’ attitude towards online courses. Most including UN still give little recognition to qualifications gained through this route.
o
This demotivates potential students because the number one motivation for uptake of courses is professional career development
My experience in the region is that an institutionalised blended course with residency block release is more successful in terms of uptake.
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Institution and the residency/block release becomes the glue that binds the students. One can embark on this without resigning from their job position. (e.g. UNICEF has partnered with a local University in Zimbabwe and they run a Post Graduate Diploma in Child Sensitive Social Policies course which uptake is very good).
Against this background I think there is need for advocacy actions.
- Lobby for C4D courses to be "embedded" in select existing journalism, PR and marketing degree courses or
- A standalone postgraduate diploma could be better targeting students who already have some experience or background in other fields or specialisations.
- This course on C4D could be structured as a regional course in partnership with Universities, UN and NGOs
The MOOC curriculum or module developed can be included in existing University courses
I look forward to your feedback
Comments
Proposal - advocacy actions" concerning C4D in universities
I wish to address the issue of promoting "advocacy actions" concerning C4D in universities. I have several proposals but will only present one – with two parts – in this message.
Would it be useful to present the C4D issue in some of the international conferences that take place this year? For example, I suggest that someone join me in submitting a paper for the international conference on Education, Psychology, and Social Sciences, to be held at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, August 2-4, 2017. I would be willing to participate in Bangkok and pay the US$400 registration fee, and welcome a co-author in the network to join in the presentation or only join as a co-author. If someone is interested I will suggest an outline. However the deadline for an abstract is May 31 so an immediate Response is important.
A second suggestion for this proposal is that a group of 3-4 persons in our network participate in an upcoming international conference in November 2017 on Development Communication and Engaged Learning with the Community. ("Engaged learning" implies a link with universities.) This could be done in a panel format with some agreed upon discussion points concerning the introduction of C4D in universities. I'm working on the program for the conference which will be sponsored by the Asian Institute for Development
Communication based at the University of Selangor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Then that panel session could be converted into a paper for the December 2017 issue of The Journal of Development Communication. (I'm currently the editor.) I believe there will be no or a minimum charge for registration for the conference in Malaysia. Any one interested? Contact me at rdc4@cornell.edu where I am an emeritus (retired) professor in both Communication and International Development."
Best wishes,
Roy Colle
Dr. Royal D. Colle
International Professor Emeritus
460 Mann Library, Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
Interested to join the 3-4 group or panel
Hi, Roy. I am Cleofe S. Torres, professor and former dean of the College of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB). I am interested to join the 3-4 group or panel who may discuss how C4D may be introduced in universities. I understand that we have the opportunity to do this during an international conference on Development Communication and Engaged Learning with the Community tis coming Nov 2017 in Malaysia. I am willing to participate in working out the discussion points. Let me know if I qualify to be part of that group.
I can raise my own funds for my attendance to this conference. I just need an official invitation later to enable me to proceed with processing my travel papers. Congratulations for taking the initiative to act on the issue.
Cleofe S. Torres, PhD
Professor
College of Development Communication,
University of the Philippines Los Baños,
College
Join the panel
Dear Cleofe and Roy,
I am also very interested to join the panel and will talk to my administration regarding the logistics. Is there already a date for the event in November?
All the best,
Tobias
—
Tobias Denskus, PhD.
Senior Lecturer & MA Program Coordinator Communication for Development
Konst, kultur och kommunikation, K3 | School of Arts and Communication, K3
Malmö högskola | Malmö University
205 06 Malmö, Sweden
Need to sustain the C4D in academic institutions initiative
Dear All,
I am a Senior Lecturer in Language and Communication in the University of Malawi with over 14 years lecturing experience.
Firstly, let me register my intention to join this initiative though late. Secondly, I would like to share the experience in my university, particularly at The Polytechnic College where I am based. Within our faculty, we have the Language and Communication Department as well as the Journalism Department who are mandated to offer C4D programmes. Despite our university being around for about 52 years, I have realised that we do not have programmes focusing on C4D except for an Masters degree programme in Behavioural Change Communication. Now we are faced with the challenge of implementing a top-down approach to come up with similar C4D programmes at the undergraduate level.
Outside our university, the situation is worse. Most public and private universities have focused more on Linguistics and Journalism rather than C4D. If this initiative could be sustained, I will encourage my peers in the other universities to join so that we could learn from the expriences elsewhere.
Best regards,
Andrew
Andrew Chimpololo, Senior Lecturer, Language and Communication, University of Malawi (Polytechnic), Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi. Email: achimpololo@poly.ac.mw
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