By Christine Kabazira
MA Journalism and Media Studies, Oslo Metropolitan University-Norway.
My Undergraduate program in Journalism and Communication at Makerere University was a period of new discoveries, challenges, hard work and determination. My goal throughout all my levels of education had always been to excel and I always strived towards that. When I joined Makerere University in 2016, my goal was to attain a First Class Degree. In 2021, I completed the Bachelor’s course with a First Class Honors Degree.
In February 2022, the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University in line with its bilateral co-operation with Oslo Metropolitan University and with funding from the Norwegian Research Council under the Norwegian Partnership Program for Global Academic Cooperation (NORPART), called for applications for a fully funded scholarship for a Master’s in Journalism and Media Studies at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) in Norway. I am very honored to have won the scholarship to pursue my Master’s at OsloMet. I deeply appreciate the Norwegian Research Council, OsloMet and the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University for putting in place this project to help academically enthusiastic but financially disadvantaged students like me.
Coming to study in Norway is a dream come true. I have always wanted to study my Master’s and PhD from a different setting. I always desired to know how higher learning institutions in parts outside East Africa and Africa at large approach academics. I have always wanted expand my horizon; see things in a different angle and get exposed to new ideas. Coming to Oslo Metropolitan University specifically excited me because I learnt that some of my best lecturers have done their graduate and post-doctoral researches here in Norway.
Each day, since my arrival in Oslo on August 17, 2022, I learn new things that can be replicated back in Uganda for the betterment of all. The learning environment at OsloMet is very conducive. There are plenty of resources to put to use to enhance one’s research and education.
This program has given me an opportunity to discover a lot more about my academic abilities. I have access to all kinds of study material and a team of very supportive professors and lecturers to help me improve my research skills and be able to discover new knowledge that could lead to the further development of the field of Journalism and Media in Uganda.
This Master’s program is not just an opportunity to further my education and build my career. I see it as a great opportunity to acquire new knowledge, observe and compare best practices especially in the field of Journalism Education, find out and compare the different approaches and perspectives to different issues and build resourceful networks. I see it as an opportunity to impart, share knowledge and collaborate with the Norwegian Master’s students on different research projects.
It has so far been interesting to share with the rest of the Norwegian students about the Media in Uganda; our history, where we came from and where we are now and to know their perceptions of Media in Uganda and Africa as a whole.
I believe that by the end of my two years here, I will be well grounded with enough skills and experiences to enable me to contribute to the development of Journalism and Media research in Uganda and the world at large.
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