Communication skills have always been important but never so much as now in the twenty-first century when advances in transportation and technology have made people and nations of the world inter-connected into a true ―global village‖. Advances in technology have made it possible for people of different cultures and countries to interact, but it is human skills in communication that will ensure that the interactions are positive and constructive. The crucial role of communication is to bring understanding through a process of shared meanings and the transmission of symbolic messages. For effective interaction at interpersonal and international levels, communicators must be sensitive to cultural and gender issues in communication. Corporations have recognized the need for better communication hence the increased use of communicative facilities.
Many professionals make their living as communication consultants. There is also a greater reliance on mediation and negotiation skills in situations ranging from civil cases to labour/management disputes to third party diplomacy in resolving regional conflicts. The media has become important and powerful in shaping worldview and attitudes.
Media personalities/professionals must be trusted to give a clear, honest and objective picture of the world. Also rapidly expanding are career opportunities for writers and editors in technical fields, computer software. The graduates of this programme will work in the following areas; print media (editors and writers) television media (presenters, editors, producers and screenwriters), public relations officers, business managers, consultants, diplomats, teachers, lecturers, researchers and photojournalists.
The target group is school leavers, para-professionals in the mass media and other interested parties in the related disciplines.
