NAFTI increases student intake
The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), at the weekend held a matriculation ceremony for the highest ever number of students admitted into various programmes for the 2013/2014 academic year since the inception of the school.
The 95 students made up of 60 men and 35 women were led by Mrs Emelia Agyei Mensah, representative of the University of Ghana Registry, to swear the Matriculation Oath, which binds each student to abide by all rules and regulations, and also be of good behaviour while pursuing their studies in order to promote a positive image of the institute.
Professor Linus Abraham, Rector of the institute, said the students constitute more than 300 per cent increase over the 2010 intake
“Before 2010, the institute was admitting just about 30 students annually. We have since made a conscious effort to try to increase the numbers admitted,” he said.
He said the intake partly reflects NAFTI’s realisation of its responsibility to ensure that the media industry in Ghana is filled with the appropriate expertise to enhance the development of the industry and the country.
Prof Abraham noted that Ghana’s media industry is growing exponentially, and that NAFTI is at the point in time needed to start professionalising the industry to yield the benefits of the quality that come from skilled and professionally trained workforce.
He congratulated the students for coming into the institute at a time when it is transforming itself to better serve the needs of the country.
“Beyond simply being a television institute, NAFTI is transforming itself into a Media and Creative Arts University that will better serve the ever growing convergences in the creative and media arts industry in the country.”
Prof Abraham said the institute had added Broadcast Journalism and Multimedia departments to its curricular as well a working with Musicians Union of Ghana to set up a music production programme.
He urged students to make good use of the golden opportunity offered them by the university by staying focused, working hard and remaining conscious of the efforts and sacrifices of their parents and guardians towards their future job security through quality education.
Prof Abraham admonished the students to live by their by words as contained in the matriculation oath and also advised them to collaborate with fellow students as well as alumni of the institute to try and imbibe some of their experiences.
Mr Kwame Dartey Executive Secretary of National Accreditation Board said the students have chosen the right place to develop their creative talents, which would hopefully be harnessed for national development.
He noted that NAFTI has been an excellent tertiary institution and products of the Institution are at the helm of production and television houses both in Ghana and many parts of Africa.
“Film and television and for that matter, the media in general is a powerful tool for dissemination of information and communication. To a large extend, film and television have been important tools in shaping the images and identities of the society,” he said.”
Mr Dartey revealed that the National Accreditation Board is satisfied with the qualifications of students admitted to NAFTI and the periodic review of the curricula to bring it abreast of modern trends and needs in film and television training.
He said in line with emerging trends such as convergence in the media industry, due to advancement in technology and its implications for media education, “NAFTI has rationalised its curriculum to make the Institute a centre of excellence in media and the creative arts education, placing equal emphasis on both intellectual and professional development”.
“From the scratch, that is level 100, the curriculum provides that you the students would be introduced to Liberal Arts and ICT courses to enable you lay solid foundation for broad knowledge acquisition, critical awareness and comprehension of the broad spectrum of professional film and television production.”
Source: GNA