B.A. in Mass Communication
Fax: 255-068-500575
Telephone: 255-068-550560, 552725
e-mail: saut-nyegezi@sukumanet.com
Telex: 46372
ESTABLISHMENT
St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) offers the challenge of strong academic degree programmes in a scholarly atmosphere, preserving at the same time the sense of community and personal concern that characterized the Nyegezi Social Training Institute (1960-98). SAUT inaugurated its Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication in 1998 and will move on later to a Master's degree as well as other programmes. At the same time, the University retains the Advanced Diploma courses in Journalism, Accountancy, and Materials Management as well as its Certificate courses. The University attracts students from Tanzania and many other areas, particularly the countries of East and Central Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Malawi and Burundi. SAUT admits students of all religious backgrounds.
LOCATION
The University extends over 600 acres on two campuses in the Nyegezi-Malimbe area 10.5 km south of Mwanza municipality. Lying 3-4 km off the main Mwanza-Shinyanga road, on the shores of Lake Victoria, the University is a half-hour's ride from Mwanza by car or bus. As part of Tanzania's northern highlands (1140m above sea level), the area to the east of Lake Victoria is noted for its temperate climate. Mwanza can be reached from other parts of Tanzania and East Africa by train, air, ferry and highway.
STATUS
St. Augustine University of Tanzania is an independent higher-learning institution governed by the University Council under the Catholic bishops of Tanzania (Tanzania Episcopal Conference) and is operated with close attention to the requirements of governmental and relevant professional bodies. During the coming decades, the University will incorporate constituent colleges in Moshi and Songea, and at the Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
Conscious of man's orientation toward God and neighbor and fostering an ethical and service-oriented approach in its academic and professional training, St. Augustine fulfils its goal of preparing persons well equipped to contribute to the ideals of social, economic and political development. The University also sponsors short courses and seminars and provides consultancy and research services.
ORGANIZATION AND STAFF
Day to day operations of St. Augustine University are directed by the Vice Chancellor, who works closely with the Administration and Finance Officer, Academic Officer, Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments. Members of the Academic staff come from a wide area of East Africa, Europe, India and America. Teaching and examinations are conducted in English.
B.A. IN MASS COMMUNICATION
This three-year course emphasises a broad academic approach to media studies and how the media function in society. Students are challenged to explore critical questions, engage in extensive research, and examine areas of planning and media management.
Areas studied, either as core subjects or electives:
Mass Communication Photo-Journalism
Writing for Mass Media Radio Production
Communication Research Media and Society
Photo-Journalism Philosophy and Logic
News Reporting and Editing Social Ethics
Radio Broadcasting Graphic Arts
Public Relations and Advertising Economics
Video Production and Reporting Media Management
Newspaper and Magazine Writing
Human Rights and Gender Issues
Communication Law and Media Ethics
Development Studies and Political Science
African Traditional Religion, Christianity, and Islam
Students choose from the beginning to specialise in
Print Media, Broadcasting, or Public Relations. Since the Public Relations and Advertising course is taken in second year, students specialising in that area will also have a good foundation in reporting or broadcasting before moving on to the Advanced Public Relations course in third year.Research is emphasised throughout the programme and students take two full courses in research methodology. During the second course they prepare the research proposal for their thesis, which is based on original data and is written and defended during third year.
The Bachelor's degree course provides extensive professional training in news reporting, editing and production, or in radio production and broadcasting, or in public relations and advertising, so that graduates are prepared for professional employment as well as for media research, planning and management.
Among the outstanding opportunities offered Mass Communication students at St. Augustine are:
Full-scale Computer Centre facilities with Internet
Desktop publishing of The Nyegezi Times
Operating the new University radio station
Radio Nyanza at FM 96.1 MHzDigital and analog production studios
Professional audio interview equipment
Video equipment for on-site production
Extensive library resources in mass communication, print media, broadcasting, public relations and related fields
STUDENT LIFE
Students from Tanzania may choose to live on campus or off campus in the Mwanza-Nyegezi area. Those residing in the University hostels on the Nyegezi or Malimbe campus take their meals in the SAUT dining halls, have ready access to classes and the library, the chapels, dispensary, offices, computer centre and studios, playing fields and on-campus activities. However, there is regular bus service allowing students to commute to and from Mwanza. Wherever they reside, students are expected to observe the student code of regulations.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have completed O-level education with passes in five approved subjects, including English,
andeither
Two Principal Level passes in appropriate subjects at the same sitting, with a total of five (5) points or more,or
Two Principal Level passes in appropriate subjects not at the same sitting, provided they are of C level or higher,or
An appropriate equivalent Diploma or Certificate of not less than 2nd Class/Credit Level and approved by the Academic Senate.Note:
Candidates from countries with an 8-4-4 system of education should point that out in their application. Decisions on their admission will be made on a case-by-case basis and will normally involve a personal interview and entrance examination.Mature age students
(25 years or older) must have obtained at least five (5) passes and three credits in approved subjects, including English, in their Ordinary Level education. If they attended A-level education, it must have been at least five years before starting at SAUT. They must pass examinations in English and General Knowledge and must have four or more years working experience in a relevant field.Strong competence in spoken and written English will be expected from all candidates for the B.A. in Mass Communication. In specific cases, this competence must be demonstrated in a personal interview or aptitude test.
Applicants to St. Augustine University are accepted for a specific course, which ordinarily is not be changed after admission.
OTHER INFORMATION
COMPUTER CENTRE
All students are expected to acquire computer skills in word processing and other appropriate computer programmes at the University's Computer Centre, which has skilled instructors and is equipped for Internet and desktop publishing.
LIBRARY
The Nyegezi Social Training Institute is engaged in creating library resources of significant benefit to students and faculty. During the past few years, the library has been enriched by the acquisition of hundreds of recent books in fields covered by the courses in Journalism, Mass Communication, Broadcasting and Public Relations, bringing total holdings to approximately 12,000 volumes.
FEES
Annual fees for tuition, room and board for the Bachelor's degree for 1998-99 are: 1.4m Tshs for Tanzanian students and $6,000 for students from outside Tanzania.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The ordinary deadline for receiving completed applications is 31st December, but later applicants can often be accommodated. Acceptances and joining instructions are normally sent out in March. Orientation for all new students is held the last full week of August and classes start the following Monday.
All applications, with photocopies of educational certificates and other required materials, should be sent to the Vice Chancellor's office through the candidate's sponsor (including bishop or major religious superior), whose signature and stamp should be affixed. For application forms or further information, please contact the
Admissions Office
St. Augustine University of Tanzania
P.O. Box 307
Mwanza, Tanzania
Additional Information
COMPUTER CENTRE
All students are expected to acquire computer skills in spreadsheet or word processing applications appropriate to their professional field at the University's Computer Centre. Supervised by skilled instructors, the Centre currently has 13 computers and four printers, in addition to complete desktop publishing equipment, with plans for further expansion.
LIBRARY
The Nyegezi Social Training Institute is engaged in creating library resources of significant benefit to students and faculty. During the past few years, the library has been enriched by the acquisition of several thousand recent books in fields covered by the courses in Journalism, Mass Communication, Accountancy, Materials Management and Hospital Administration, bringing total holdings to approximately 16,000 volumes.
IMPORTANT DATES
The ordinary deadline for receiving completed applications is 31st December, but later applicants can often be accommodated.
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