On the night of Thursday, November 7, 2024, a group of 31 journalists received awards recognizing their contributions to various fields and dedication to the journalism profession.
The annual awards ceremony took place at the Kigali Exhibition and Convention Village (commonly known as Camp Kigali), organized by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) in collaboration with the Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ) and supported by several institutions, including Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK).
Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, the CEO of RGB, expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative efforts of public and private institutions in elevating the standards of journalism.
She remarked, “The establishment of a media development team within RGB has enhanced our cooperation and our united commitment to advancing journalism. This partnership has enabled us to pool efforts towards initiatives that empower the media sector.”
She added that this collaboration allows RGB to understand the needs of media outlets and journalists, making resource allocation more effective in enhancing media capabilities.
This 11th edition of the awards celebrated journalists across various categories, with 16 men and 15 women among the recipients. The highlights included the “Journalist of the Year” award and a special scholarship from ICK.
This scholarship is a three-year journalism program at ICK for a talented journalist without formal training in the field.
Speaking with ICK News, Father Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana shared that ICK partnered with ARJ and RGB because they share a common goal of advancing professional and impactful journalism.
This collaboration also aims to motivate exemplary journalists who set a positive standard for others in the profession.
Father Prof. Dushimimana noted, “The success of several ICK alumni who have excelled in journalism strengthens our resolve to support active journalists in the field. When our alumni are recognized as outstanding journalists, it affirms the value of our work.”
He emphasized ICK’s commitment to high-quality journalism education, highlighting the Journalism program’s reputation and its contributions to producing well-prepared graduates. “Our goal of training professional journalists is being realized, as our graduates are making significant contributions in the media industry,” he said.
Father Prof. Dushimimana also praised ICK News, the institute’s online newspaper, which is gaining a wide readership.
He explained, “ICK News is not only a platform for students to hone their writing skills but also a source of educational content for the community, offering informative articles that go beyond mere news reporting.”
In closing, he outlined ICK’s future goals for journalism education, which includes expanding beyond traditional media like radio, television, and print to focus more on modern journalism skills such as social media and artificial intelligence.
“We aim to update our curriculum to meet the demands of the current media landscape, preparing students for professional, accessible journalism,” he explained.
Additionally, short courses in photography, filmmaking, and other hands-on journalism skills are planned, aiming to meet the practical demands of today’s media professionals.
The ICK Faculty of Journalism and Communication Studies, established in 2002, has been dedicated to promoting ethical journalism as a response to the unfortunate history of media misuse during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, emphasizing professionalism and responsible reporting.
