BUK to commence degree programme in PR, advertising | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
27th November 2019
Bayero University Kano is set to commence degree programmes in Public Relations, Advertising and Broadcasting.
This follows the recent unbundling of the Mass Communications department of the institution, which gave birth to the Faculty of Communication.
This is expected to take off once the National Universities Commission (NUC) completes the guidelines for the implementation.
EduCeleb.com had in March reported that a team of experts drawn from the academia and the media had drafted a new mass communication curriculum that sought to separate the different components hitherto under it as separate programmes.
While speaking a Conference and Dinner organised by the graduating Masters in Public Relations (MPR) class of 2018/2019 session of BUK in Kano, a professor of communication, Ali Pate disclosed that the new curriculum guidelines would determine how soon the institutions would implement same.
Pate who is the Dean of Postgraduate School at BUK said the new curriculum would be beneficial to students and aspiring professionals.
In his words, “The NUC, after consultations with academia and institutional stakeholders, has approved the curriculum for the unbundling of the Mass Communication Programme in Nigerian universities, which will result in the emergence of seven Degree-awarding programmes and the phasing out of the single BSc/BA Degree Programme in Mass Communication.
“The seven new programmes or departments that are awaiting further guideline from universities authorities include Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Film & Multi-Media Studies, Development Communication Studies, Information & Media Studies.”
Also speaking at the occasion, the panel of discussants urged government at all level to deploy public relations strategies in national challenges, especially on insecurity. They insisted that with effective information management, the public could be mobilised to support developmental and peacebuilding efforts.
The panel members included the President Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, Kano Chapter Chairman, Mr. Hamza Aminu, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka (rtd), ACP Baba Mohammed. The session was moderated by Yushau A. Shuaib, a PR Practitioner.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating student of Masters in PR, chairman of the organising committee, Baba Kandi expressed their delight for the panel who were all graduates of the Mass Communication of Bayero University Kano.
“What can be more pleasing and fulfilling than having to celebrate our graduation ceremony in the midst of professional PR gurus, including National President NIPR, top crisis communicators, scholars and PR practitioners in the country who out their busy schedules jettisoned all prior engagements in order to grace this occasion.