Programme Review Report
Social Sciences Cluster II
Faculty of Arts - University of Jaffna
2017
Prof. P. Hewage (Chair)
Prof. G.D.R.U.U. Abeyrathne
Prof. (Mrs.) S. C. Jayamanne
Dr. (Mrs.) G.A.S. Ginigaddara
University Grants Commission
Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council
Sri Lanka
Final Results:
Study Programme : Media Studies
Media Studies study programme scored marks higher than minimum score for all criteria and obtained a score >70% and received grade “B”.
The major observations made by the Programme Review Team to the Media Studies under the Social Sciences Cluster II where the Media Studies Degree Programme included.
All study programmes except Media Studies, do not use ICT platform and applications for key functions. (Page : 15)
Upgrading the capacity of staff is adequate in Media Studies, Home Economics and Political Science but lacking in Psychology and Sociology. (Page : 16)
ICT facilities and adequate opportunities for students to acquire ICT skills is provided only by the Media Studies but needs to be incorporated in other study programmes as well. (Page : 16)
Programme Design and Development: The Media Studies Degree programme scored better compared to other study programmes in this criteria. (Page : 16)
Programme Design and Development: The Media Studies study programme scored better compared to other study programmes in this criteria although all study programmes acquired scores higher than the minimum score. The Media Studies study programme has clearly defined appropriate measurable process indicators and outcome based performance indicators which are used to monitor the implementation and evaluation of the programmes. (Page : 16)
Programme Design and Development: Alignment of curricula with Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF), and guidance by Subject Benchmark Statements is not strong in Home Economics and Political Science but evident in Media Studies. (Page : 16)
Learning Environment, Student Support and Progression: Co-curricular activities are conducted by all study programmes but internships and gender equity and equality activities are currently practiced only by Media Studies study programme. (Page : 17)
Learning Environment, Student Support and Progression: The inadequacy of relevant books for reference is emphasized by Home Economics and Media Studies study programmes. (Page : 18)
Innovative and Healthy Practices: Use of OER to supplement teaching and learning is practiced only by Media Studies study programme.(Page : 18)
Innovative and Healthy Practices: All study programmes conduct an undergraduate research project as a part of the teaching and learning strategy but industrial training placements are not yet fully practiced by study programmes other than Media Studies. (Page : 18)
Grading of overall performance of the programme : Media Studies, Grade Obtained : B, Judgment : Good (Page : 20)
Commendations and Recommendations: Human and Physical Resources: All study programmes scored more than the required minimum score in this criterion. Upgrading the capacity of staff is good in Media Studies, Home Economics and Psychology study programmes. ICT facilities and adequate opportunities for students to acquire ICT skills are provided only by the Media Studies.(Page : 21)
Programme Design and Development: The Media Studies study programme has defined appropriate measurable process indicators and outcome based performance indicators. Alignment of curricula with Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF), and guidance by Subject Benchmark Statements is also evident in Media Studies study programme. (Page : 21)
Improvements Made after the Programme Review (2017 - 2020)
1. Programme Management
Department of Media Studies declared as a separate Department under the Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna by the extra ordinary gazette notification number 2116/43, dated on 27th of March 2019.
The Media Internship, the course unit provides the opportunity to the final year students in world of work exposure has been extended to private media outlets addition to the state media corporations.
‘Media Club’, the platform for the students to enrich their co-curricular activities has been officially formed.
The ‘Tracer Survey ‘of pass out students conducted and the Alumni Profile has been updated in Media Studies’ website.
Advanced and creative use of ICT has been adopted in revised curriculum through the introduction of Introduction to Animation Techniques (ACMCH 41033) and Digital Visual Effects (ACMCH 42013) with the existing ICT based course units : Contemporary Media Technology (ACMCH 22043), Digital Storytelling: Documentary Film making (ACMCH 32023) and Digital Storytelling: Short Film making (ACMCH 41053)
The ‘Alumni of Media Studies’ has been formed.
2. Human and Physical Resources
Three permanent lecturers have recruited in last three years (2017 – 2019) and all assigned academic cadre vacancies have been filled.
The department library has been established with nearly 500 books and magazines relevant to the field of studies.
3. Programme Design and Development
The revision of curriculum of the Media Studies degree programme general and honours has been commenced as per the latest needs and requirements of academic and professional expectations.
‘Higher Diploma in Media Studies’ which aims to provide a chance to the youths who are unable to enter into the university system and having aspiration to study media has been drafted and approved by the Senate and it will be commenced from this year on wards.
4. Course/Module Design and Development
Integration of diverse courses in new curriculum revision held on 2019 : Media, Democracy, Law and Ethics (ACMCH 21033), Public Relations 9 ACMEH 22013), Gender and Communication (ACMCH 31033), English for Media (ACMCH 32033) and Sinhala for Media (ACMCH 41023)
The post graduate programmes in Media Studies at MPhil and PhD levels commenced in Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Jaffna.
The notable number of graduates got the opportunity to work in regional, national and international media outlets immediate after the internship training and completion of degree programmes in 2017 and 2018.
5. Teaching and Learning
The LMS has been introduced in 2019 to the second year of students.
The feedback of students and peer evaluation have been accommodated in all levels.
The students have produced 14 documentary films in 2018 and released two laboratory journals in 2018 and 2019.
The research culture in the field of studies has been encouraged. Four students of fourth year presented their research papers at the International Conference of University of Jaffna in 2018.
6. Learning Environment, Student support and Progression
The ‘Sharing Session’ has been introduced to provide the space to the students to acquire the professional experiences and exposure from the media professionals parallel to the learning from lecture halls.
The outreach activities have been encouraged along with the application of the knowledge gathered in lectures - Eg.: Development and Journalism : Designing Communication Strategy for the selected social, cultural and economic issues at the grass root.
Make the students to participate in workshops and seminars in common interested topics in order to enhance their involvement in public platform : Social Media Declaration, Land Issues in Northern Province, Election and Media, Media and Gender
(https://sites.google.com/univ.jfn.ac.lk/media-studies/activities/2019)
The collaborative efforts have been extended to work with foreign missions in Sri Lanka to encourage the students to get to know and understand the others’ cultures : The Department of Media Studies conducted ‘Iranian Film Festival’ with the assistance of Office for National Unity and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka and Iran Cultural Center in 2019.
7. Student Assessment and Award
The structure of summative assessment has been reformed from writing traditional essays and short notes to the inclusion of multiple choice questions and structure as per the appropriate evaluation of intended learning outcomes of the particular course units.
8. Innovative and Healthy Practices
The website of Media Studies has been created and included the details of profile of staff members, objective of the department, graduate profile, five year plan, resources available, course units, students’ productions, students’ dissertations, profile of alumni, department activities and updated regularly with all the evidences.