Journalist residency at the University of French Guiana: «UG, a hub of creative culture» supporting students

A new chapter for student voice

With the «UG, land of creative culture» journalism residency, the University of French Guiana is taking a new step forward in its efforts to support student life. This initiative also promotes civic engagement and media and information literacy.

Organised as part of the university’s student life policy, the journalism residency at the University of French Guiana aims to support students as they explore journalistic practices. It provides them with a framework for understanding, producing and sharing content related to their everyday lives.

This project also provides students with a forum to express their views on the issues affecting their university, their local area and their lives as young citizens. In this way, it encourages freer, more informed and more responsible expression.

Teaching students about media and information

In a context characterised by a proliferation of information sources and digital content, media literacy is a key issue for younger generations. Students need to be able to identify sources, understand messages and develop their critical thinking skills.

The residency will provide an opportunity to explore various stages of content production. Students will be able to tackle topics such as information research, conducting interviews, journalistic writing, presenting, reporting techniques, audio editing and the creation of digital content.

Beyond technical skills, this approach aims to strengthen their ability to analyse information. It also helps them to exercise their critical thinking and to develop informed civic discourse.

A participatory project for the university community

The residency aims to involve the wider university community. Students, lecturers, staff and partners will be able to contribute to the discussions, outputs and initiatives that arise throughout the project.

This collective approach will foster exchanges between the various parts of the University of French Guiana. It will also help to highlight the projects, events and initiatives that contribute to the region’s vitality.

For students, this environment provides a space for experimentation. Here, they will be able to develop their creativity, independence and ability to work as part of a team. This approach places student engagement at the heart of the programme.

Promoting the cultural and scientific diversity of French Guiana

French Guiana is a multicultural and multilingual territory. It also has close ties to the Amazon and the Caribbean. This context makes it a particularly fertile ground for the creation and production of content.

The journalist-in-residence programme will help to highlight student initiatives, inspiring personal journeys, research projects, cultural events and the many talents to be found at the University of French Guiana and across the region.

It will also foster dialogue between academic knowledge, local cultures and the concerns of the public. This dialogue will strengthen the university’s role within its cultural, scientific and social environment.

Building links between campuses

Rolled out across the Cayenne, Kourou and Saint-Laurent du Maroni campuses, the accommodation scheme will help to strengthen links between the various university sites. It will also facilitate the flow of information within the institution.

By giving a voice to students and stakeholders on each campus, the project will help to build a shared culture. It will also strengthen the sense of belonging to the university community.

This approach is important for bringing together the experiences, ideas and initiatives that exist at each site. It helps to raise awareness of the diversity of students’ backgrounds and commitments.

A co-creation approach

This residency is, above all, an opportunity for experimentation, reflection and collaborative creation centred on student media practices at the University of French Guiana. It invites the university community to collectively explore its forms of expression.

The journalist recruited will support the students in this process. They will contribute their professional expertise, lead workshops and encourage the development of initiatives driven by the students themselves.

The aim is to enable the academic community to consider the forms of media expression best suited to its needs, its ambitions and the specific characteristics of French Guiana.

Through «UG, a hub of creative culture», the University of French Guiana reaffirms its commitment to student participation, cultural openness and citizenship education.

The «UG, land of creative culture» journalism residency programme strengthens media literacy, student expression and the links between the Cayenne, Kourou and Saint-Laurent du Maroni campuses. It also promotes the cultural, scientific and human diversity of French Guiana. The entire university community is invited to get involved in this initiative by putting forward ideas, topics and projects to bring this collective endeavour to life.