The Aga Khan University is an institution of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), with global reach and local relevance. AKU has 35 years’ experience in the fields of education and research, serving populations across three continents. In East Africa the Aga Khan University is focused on establishing a consulting service that provides technical expertise to clients’ core to the AKDN as well as external clients and partners.
The Graduate School of Media & Communications (GSMC)
GSMC’s mission is to foster a diverse, independent, innovative, ethical and economically thriving media and communications sector that contributes to the creation of successful and sustainable societies in an era of technological change.
Technology is revolutionising economies at every level. At GSMC media and communication professionals learn to harness its power to collect and analyse information, connect with audiences and tell compelling stories across multiple platforms. Executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals are able to understand the forces reshaping industry, innovate and defend against disruption, exercise leadership, build teams and nurture talent and turn their ideas into realities. We aim for impact while making a lasting difference in East Africa and beyond.
MA in Digital Journalism (MADJ)
GSMC’s Masters in Digital Journalism (MADJ) not only trains students to be accomplished multimedia journalists but also equips them with the knowledge and skills to tackle the complex issues reshaping East African society. The students work with world renowned journalists and scholars to blend practice, reflection and theory in their coursework. The programme is taught in state of-the-art facilities and builds expertise in multiplatform storytelling, specialist reporting and editorial leadership. The culmination of the programme is a specialist reporting project and research thesis. By focusing on regional issues and drawing on local and global trends, we would like our graduates to develop the creativity, critical thinking and professional competence required to lead East Africa’s media in the 21st century.
Executive Masters in Media Leadership & Innovation (EMMLI)
Executive Masters in Media Leadership & Innovation (EMMLI) is a 24-month MBA-styled programme designed to develop leadership skills to advance the business’s vision and strategy. EMMLI fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, preparing participants to start new media businesses or transform existing workspaces in response to changing market needs.
The programme has been designed to address the specific leadership and innovation needs of the media and communications industries operating in the complex context of emerging economies like East Africa’s amid technological change and uncertainty. In order to address these issues, the following four pillars form the foundations of EMMLI:
- Strategic thinking
- Creative and responsible leadership
- Innovation and constructive change
- Sustainable enterprise
Professional Development & Continuing Education (PDCE)
The aim of our PDCE training is to build communications capacity at a time of technological change. We offer an array of short courses and masterclasses for journalists, media and communications professionals, civil society actors and both public and private sector organizations. They cover varied skills, ranging from basic ones such as social media for communicators to more targeted training like Health Reporting and Media Engagement.