PRNigeria Centre, Nasarawa University Seal Partnership for PR Academic Excellence
The Department of Public Relations at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has announced a significant partnership with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publisher of PRNigeria and several other prestigious titles. This collaboration aims to enhance academic excellence and provide formidable opportunities for students in the field of Public Relations.
The partnership was formalized during a recent visit by Dr. Anthony Ogande and management representatives from the Nasarawa University’s Department of Public Relations to the PRNigeria Centre in Abuja.
Dr. Ogande emphasized that this collaboration would lead to the establishment of an endowment fund dedicated to supporting Public Relations students and improving their thesis writing skills. He elaborated that this partnership aligns with the recent transition of the Department of Public Relations into a full-fledged academic program, following its evolution from the previously established Department of Mass Communication within the newly formed Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.
Among the key initiatives of the partnership, Dr. Ogande highlighted several exciting prospects: the creation of an endowment for the Best PhD thesis in Public Relations, awards for outstanding undergraduate students in science journalism and PR copywriting, sponsorship of annual guest lectures on PR best practices in Nigeria, and industry immersion internship training for students.
Dr. Ogande commended the PRNigeria Centre for its commitment to fostering growth in strategic communication and enhancing the Public Relations sector through its array of publications, awards, and various events.
In response, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of IMPR, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and assured the management of Nasarawa University that their suggestions would be seriously considered. He noted that PRNigeria has established partnerships with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and various higher education institutions offering courses in communication, journalism, and public relations.
Furthermore, Mr. Shuaib unveiled an exciting initiative: the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship, hosted at PRNigeria Centres in Abuja, Ilorin, and Kano. This program aims to provide training and mentorship, opening doors for young Nigerians pursuing careers in media and communications.
He stated, “The PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship is an intensive program designed to launch the careers of young Nigerians in the media and communications industry. We also curate various programs for our interns to enhance their skills in Development Journalism, Fact-Checking, Social Media & AI, and Crisis Communication within the scope of Public Relations.”
The partnership which also witnessed the presence of Dr. Ukam I. Ngu Esq. of Faculty of Communication, University of Calabar, marks a promising new chapter in the academic landscape for Public Relations in Nigeria, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing the next generation of communication professionals.
