Competencies Needed by University Graduates of Agricultural Communications in the Republic of Mali, West Africa

Abstract

This study indicated that more than half of the Malian media professionals (57.7%) were in their mid-career with an age range of 36 to 45, and the majority were male (73.1%). More than half of the media professionals held a master's degree (61.5%). The average professional experience was almost five years (M = 4.92). The study included eight constructs. Media professionals responded to seven items, which comprised each construct, and rated their levels of importance and competence related to these items. The Borich (1980) needs assessment model was used in the development of the questionnaire. A mean weighted discrepancy score for each construct was calculated. The constructs were ranked from highest to lowest using the MWDS. The construct with the highest MWDS was the most important area for curriculum development for agricultural communications programs in the Republic of Mali. "Layout and Editing" had the highest MWDS (3.09) and "Malian agriculture" had the lowest MWDS (-.155). The rest of the constructs scores were as follows: "Broadcasting" (MWDS = 1.95), "Ethics" (MWDS = 1.57), "Knowledge of agriculture" (MWDS = 1.52), Technology (MWDS = 1.13), and "Writing" (MWDS = 1.10), "General communications (MWDS = .95). Based on the findings of this study, a curriculum of agricultural communications in universities in Mali should be developed primarily in the following areas: layout and editing, broadcasting, ethics, agriculture, use of technologies, and writing.