UniMAC - IFT Holds Orientation for Freshers for the 2024/2025 Academic Year

The Institute of Film and Television (IFT), a Constituent Institute of the University of Media, Arts and communication (UniMAC), has organised a one-day orientation programme for its newly admitted students for the 2024/2025 academic year, at the IFT Campus Television Studio (Studio 3) in Cantonment, Accra.

The orientation programme was organised to acquaint students with the IFT’s specific course structures, rules, and regulations and also provide an opportunity for students to interact with the Institute’s officials.

Welcoming Students to IFT, the Dean of the Faculty of Film and Television, Dr. Ramatu Dadzie, who stood in for the Rector, Prof. Samuel Yirenkyi, welcomed students and also congratulated them for making it this far to UniMAC- IFT. She excitedly told the students that they have made the right choice to be part of the Institute and their time spent would shape their lives and careers forever.

The Heads of the various faculties at IFT addressed students, each taking turn to provide detailed explanations of the faculty and departmental courses and what was required from students for a fruitful academic experience.Dr. Rebecca Hesse, Head of the Film Artistic Department, advised students to start developing their ideas from the first year and not wait until their final year to quickly come up with ideas. Dr. Hesse, also informed the students that they had made a good decision by choosing to study at IFT. He remarked that, “this is probably the most prolific artistic school you will find in the country so you are going to do a lot of artistic stuff”.

Dr. Mary Ayim-Segbefia, Head of the Broadcast Journalism Department, in her presentation, admonished students to maintain good working relationships among themselves since teamwork is crucial in the media industry. She emphasized that, "In the newsroom, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies".

Mr. Eugene Odame, Head of Production and Business Development, urged the students to make good use of the Institute's production equipment because they are there to make learning easier.
Other Heads of Departments that engaged the students during the ceremony included Dr. Joseph Aketema, Head of the Film Techniques Department, and Dr. Sela Adjei, Head of the Multimedia Production Department. They also encouraged the students to take their studies seriously, “because there are numerous jobs opportunities out there after school.”

Baba Haruna and Franklin Adjotor, Examination Officers, engaged the students on academic-related issues, including the registration processes and grading systems.

The Administrative Officers at IFT also took turns to welcome the students and offer them support. Ms. Jennifer Akude, the Institute Registrar, Mr. Doria Danuor, the Deputy Registrar, Ms. Marian Mantey, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Mr. Emmanuel Brown, the Head of Finance, addressed matters related to student regulations, code of conduct, dressing for lectures, financial obligations and payment platforms.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ms. Marian Mantey, concluded the session by urging the freshers to follow the rules and regulations of the Institute for a fulfilling university life.

At the end of the orientation, the over one hundred and fifty (150) students for the 2024/2025 academic year, embarked on a tour of the facilities at IFT to familiarize themselves with their university environment.

UniMAC’s IFT is a specialised Institute committed to nurturing and training artistes for the media, arts and communication industry with breath of skills essential for today’s multimedia communication. With a history of being a premier Institute that has produced Ghanaian celebrities in Ghana and Africa, students are poised for a journey of professionalism and talent

Story by Eyram Yorgbe & Amponsah Kwaku Yeboah