The Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), on Friday June 24, organised a Strategic Cascade Workshop on ‘Implementation of Mass Communication Curriculum Unbundling’ at its National Secretariat, Caleb University Imota, Lagos
The event featured participants, mostly Heads of Department of Mass Communication, from ten Institutions within the South Western Zone of Nigeria, who converged on the CASMAS Boardroom of Caleb University, to highlight, investigate, review and proffer solutions to the Unbundling of Mass Communication Curriculum in the country.
Prof Nosa Owens-Ibie, Caleb University Vice-Chancellor, who doubles as ACSPN General Secretary paid glowing tributes to the incumbent President of the association, Professor Umaru Pate while presenting a paper “Unbundle or Expire”. He went down the memory lane, when the ACSPN, in collaboration with UNESCO organised a Community Journalism Course Review and Development Workshop from November 26 to 27, 2015. The Scholar emphasised that unbundling is a game changer, maintaining that the imperatives of unbundling will certainly initiate a new mindset, skillset, flexibility and receptivity. He added that the duty of a teacher is to change lives. Hence the wisdom to see academia as more than a job. He also advocated the need to engage lecturers, assign clear roles, participate in Webinars and take advantage of Sabbaticals.
In his presentation, Prof Lai Osho, the immediate past President of the association, gave a comprehensive analysis of the unbundling from the involvement and perspectives of the National Universities Commission (NUC). Prof Osho stated “the objective should be to produce students with all-round knowledge. In the new Curriculum, among others, General Studies (GST) have been streamlined and reduced from 36 to 12 units; Entrepreneurship has been refined to be course/programme – tailored and specific; all institutions must take 70% of Core Courses and 30% for peculiar needs or areas”. He challenged academics to ensure ‘they produce graduates they could employ in their (own) private businesses’.
Also while delivering a paper on “Nigeria’s New Unbundled Curriculum- The Way Forward”; Dr Solomon Oyeleye, HoD Mass Communication, Caleb University, stressed that while there is a need to unbundle the courses in Mass Communication, the skills involved in Mass Communication should remain bundled. He also spoke on the need to shift emphasis on students’ assessment towards skill evaluation, rather than written tests and examination.
The robust interactive sessions featured questions, comments, observations and remarks from participants drawn from tertiary institutions across universities in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Kwara state. They include Prof. Olufemi Onabajo (Chrisland University), Prof.Olusola Oyero,( Anchor University), Dr. Oludare Ogunyombo (Brooks and Blake), Dr Dele Odunlami(Olabisi Onabanjo University), Dr Wunmi Olaseinde(Adeleke University), Dr Semiu Bello (KWASU), Dr Adebola Aderibigbe (BOWEN), Mrs Olayinka Idowu (LASUTECH), Dr. Prosper Zannu (LASUTECH), Dr. Abiodun Fagbohun, Dr Sunday Ogbonna, Dr John Ibanga and Mrs Ifedolapo Ademosu all from CALEB UNIVERSITY.
ACSPN, an umbrella for Communication Scholars and Professionals, is a Strategic initiative to fill a critical gap in the rapidly evolving development of Communication, is committed to advancing the scholarly study and practice of communication, by promoting and facilitating the pursuit of excellence in academic research and professional practice in Nigeria.
