By Abasi Ita
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Offiong E. Offiong, has pledged to transform the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies into a benchmark faculty, capable of competing with similar institutions across Nigeria.
Speaking during a familiarisation visit to the faculty on Tuesday, Prof Offiong highlighted the critical role of communication across all sectors and said the faculty would be repositioned to meet industrial needs and deliver high-quality programmes.
He noted that the administration would prioritise strengthening existing programmes over constructing new facilities. While acknowledging challenges with office space, the VC assured that essential resources would be provided within the university’s budget constraints. Plans are also underway to rehabilitate the faculty library, with a contractor expected on site by the end of the year and full completion projected for next year.
“We have proposed to TETfund to construct another office complex beside the Faculty of Engineering to accommodate more staff and classrooms,” he said. “Since this is a new faculty, we will ensure its needs are fully met so it can stand strong and compete with other communication faculties nationwide. We are committed to consolidating existing faculties rather than rushing to build new ones.”
On the upcoming verification of new departments in 2027, Prof Offiong urged all units to secure affiliation with relevant professional bodies to avoid future accreditation challenges. “We will do everything possible to ensure all departments meet accreditation requirements,” he added.
The VC directed the Directors of Works and Academic Planning to provide permanent seating for mini-lectures and a theatre venue for the faculty. He also instructed the Director of Academic Planning to work closely with the Dean to provide offices for the Heads of Departments, including Mass Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, Broadcasting and Advertising, Public Relations, Strategic Communication, and Development Communication.
Earlier, the Dean, Prof Esekong Andrew-Essien, commended the VC for promptly appointing new HoDs and enabling the signing of indemnity forms for final-year students to facilitate their mobilisation for NYSC.
Prof Andrew-Essien said the faculty, which has a first-year intake of about 700 students, urgently requires additional classrooms, office equipment, and infrastructure. He stressed the need for more staff, promotion opportunities, and well-equipped Radio and TV studios, control rooms, and technical staff to ensure students are trained to meet industry standards.
“Our goal is to equip students to meet industrial demands and position the faculty as a model within and beyond the university,” he said.