This partnership reflects the global nature of journalism in the 21st Century, by offering students top-tier training from both an African and an international perspective, encouraging mastery of journalistic techniques and the opportunity to develop a career with a unique international background.
"This arrangement will enrich our university experience," says Anton Harber, Caxton Professor of Journalism and head of Wits Journalism. "Our students, who will receive degrees from both institutions, will gain a wider perspective on the world and on journalism and will bring this vision back to Africa. I am confident, too, that the knowledge and experience of Africa that the Columbia students will gain will be equally enhancing."
Nicholas Lemann, Dean of Columbia's Journalism School adds, "We are delighted to form a partnership with Wits University, one of Africa's leading academic institutions. It shares our belief in the value of graduate-level university professional education for journalists and in the importance of giving journalists an international perspective."
Students who participate in this programme will be selected by a joint committee consisting of two representatives from each school to select a maximum of five students per year from each institution for the exchange programme.
While in Columbia, Wits students can add a Masters to their Wits Honours degree or get a Columbia Masters alongside their Wits one. The initial agreement will last for three years. Students will be responsible for covering the cost of tuition with the understanding that the host institution will try to offer some financial assistance.
