Unapec launches Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Journalism to transform communication in the DR
APEC University (Unapec), through its Faculty of Arts and Communication, has officially launched the Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Journalism. This innovative academic proposal, developed in conjunction with the Dominican College of Journalists (CDP) and the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP), seeks to raise the professional, scientific, and technological standards of the national press in the face of the challenges imposed by the digital age and artificial intelligence.
The program emerges as a strategic response to bridge the academic gap for more than 500 communication professionals who, despite having extensive work experience, do not yet possess an undergraduate university degree. This initiative will allow them to validate their competencies and will open doors for postgraduate studies, master’s degrees, and doctorates.
A commitment to the professionalization of the sector
The rector of Unapec, Erik Pérez Vega, highlighted that this bachelor’s degree is not a conventional academic program, but a necessary response to the demands of the current communication ecosystem. According to the academic, the integration of artificial intelligence, 3D animation, and digital platforms requires constant updating within a framework of professional ethics.
It is not about the implementation of just another academic program, but the activation of a bachelor’s degree that will fill a void in the field of higher education institutions in the Dominican Republic.
Erik Pérez Vega, Rector of UnapecFor her part, the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Communication, Alicia Álvarez, explained that the degree program incorporates the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) modality. This mechanism allows for the assessment of the technical and empirical experience of journalists, formalizing their knowledge and strengthening the democratic system by raising the quality of journalistic practice.
Journalist challenges in the age of algorithms
During the event, the keynote lecture “The journalist of today: the craft in the face of abundance, algorithms, and artificial intelligence” was delivered by Aníbal de Castro Rodríguez, National Journalism Award winner and a key figure in Dominican communication. The expert emphasized that, although technology has democratized content publishing, the essence of journalism continues to lie in judgment, fact-checking, and editorial independence.
- Comprehensive training: Focus on ethics, scientific research, and new technologies.
- Flexible modality: Recognition of competencies acquired through professional practice.
- Future vision: Preparation for the challenges of AI, digital journalism, and multi-platform content production.
With this proposal, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), Unapec seeks to mark a turning point in the training of Dominican communicators, ensuring that local journalism is up to global standards of excellence.
