Mr. David Newton, Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, on Saturday, announced that the institute was reviewing its curriculum, expanding facilities and introducing new programmes in line with of the presidential charter granted it. The charter allows the GIJ to award its own degrees, certificates and diplomas, he explained, saying the institute is already experimenting with new courses such as Globalization, On-line Journalism and Multi-media Studies. The rector was addressing the 10th Matriculation of the institute in Accra. "New areas to be developed as part of the curriculum review are Information Communication Technology (ICT), Business Management, Entrepreneurial and Leadership Skills and Languages," he added. Mr. Newton noted that 420 applicants, including four foreigners, gained admission to pursue various programmes. This year's group of freshmen and women represents the second batch of students to be matriculated by the institute under its new charter. He also said the focus of the university has been on strengthening its human resource capacity, research and documentation, improving on its ICT and infrastructural development. Currently, the institute is working with an American NGO to implement a multi-country project to improve access and the use of demographic data among researchers, media organizations, donor agencies and other users for development planning. The project is expected to develop training programmes for both media practitioners and students. Mr. Newton said the institute launched its maiden edition of the academic journal, known as the Journal of Communication, Media and Society (JOCMAS). He urged the new students to work hard to develop an analytical mind in such a competitive environment and asked them to the obey rules and regulations and must maintain strict adherence to the disciplinary code and ethical value of the institute. Mr. Paul Dzandu, Deputy Executive Secretary of National Council for Tertiary Education, who represented Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education, said the institute had made some strides in improving and strengthening learning, teaching and research since the presentation of the charter. He said the government has been pursuing initiatives aimed at utilizing options both locally and internationally to upgrade and improve the infrastructural capacity of the institute. Mr. Tettey-Enyo urged the institute's governing council and management to explore other avenues to secure funds to speed up the development of GIJ's infrastructure. He asked the new students to utilise the opportunity to broaden their horizon, imbibe the tenets of leadership and discipline and to develop an inquiring mind. Source: GNA