AE-FUNAI to Unbundle Mass Comm Programme into Eight New Disciplines – VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Professor Sunday Elom, has reaffirmed the university’s readiness to unbundle its Mass Communication programme into eight distinct academic disciplines, in line with the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) recently developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Professor Elom made this known through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Abel Ezeoha, during a courtesy visit by the Association of Communication Scholars and Practitioners of Nigeria (ACSPN), led by its National Deputy President, Professor Ifeyinwa Nsude.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ezeoha described the proposed curriculum overhaul as a timely and commendable innovation, noting that AE-FUNAI was fully committed to the unbundling process once necessary infrastructure and resources are in place.

“We are ready to unbundle the Mass Communication programme in our university as soon as the required facilities are provided. We understand how important this reform is for national development. It will prepare our students to meet the demands of the evolving media and communication industries,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to ACSPN for selecting AE-FUNAI to host its upcoming Eminent Persons Series and pledged the university’s support within the limits of its financial capacity.

In her remarks, Professor Nsude explained that ACSPN was founded in 2012 to strengthen the link between academic theory and professional practice in the communication field. She noted that the association’s sustained advocacy was instrumental in prompting the NUC to split the traditional Mass Communication programme into eight specialized disciplines—Journalism, Broadcasting, Public Relations, Advertising, Information and Media Studies, Film and Multimedia Studies, Development Communication, and Strategic Communication.

Professor Nsude encouraged AE-FUNAI to begin the unbundling process even if it means introducing only three or four of the new programmes initially, with plans to expand as resources become available. She also commended the university’s rapid academic and infrastructural development under Professor Elom’s leadership.

She concluded by announcing that ACSPN’s Eminent Persons Series would hold at AE-FUNAI on July 24, 2025.