MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING HEAD OF DEPARTMENT Warmly, I welcome all mass communication students, old and fresh, to the new academic session, 2013/2014. In the Beginning When the Department took off in the 2005/2006 academic year, it had a great welcome. As the Pioneer Departmental Coordinator then, I can reveal that the development satisfied a relentless enthusiasm from a teeming number of aspiring students, who had been applying to study it even when the Department had not yet been established. The hunger for it had been annual and ardent. Since the last nine years or so, Mass Communication has consistently attracted the highest number of applications for admission in the Faculty of Arts. With such an appeal, who says it is not the Jewel of the Faculty? Knowledge, in all departments of life, benefits mankind. At this juncture, let’s see how Mass Communication justifies itself as a popular and prestigious profession. The Remarkable Reasons for Studying Mass Communication Mass Communication is a course that captivates many. It readies individuals to make a great mark in life. Mass Communication stands its practitioners in good stead. In many ways, the discipline enables specialists to make significant contributions to social welfare Mass Communicators live for accomplishments. Just as blood is indispensable to the body, so is communication to social existence. Through their words and works, they touch lives. They make valuable and inestimable contributions to human progress. For example, from observations and conversations, reporters can gather stories that make a difference in people’s lives. They paint enduring pictures of reality with words (written and spoken), with visuals and with sounds. Mass Communication is 50% facts and 50% presentation. It is a tie between the points you have selected to convey and how you report them. Facts gathering and facts framing weigh equally important. Therefore, caution and conscience should guide word usage in spreading messages through the mass communication industries of print journalism, broadcast journalism, advertising and public relations. Mass Communicators write and writers use their art to effect possible changes in the society or, at least, be a voice of the community. Mass communicators, whether in the field of news gathering and reporting or in advertising or in public relations, are men of ideas who give thoughts that empower and send men and women to higher heights. A man’s most important asset is his mind. With it, he thinks, dreams, imagines, creates, envisions and generates. It is a working mind that puts men ahead. Thinkers and idea generators rule the world. All outstanding people are ideas people. Imagination is the life blood of achievements. Ideas are valuable tools for successful living. And Mass Communication industries are ideas industries. For example, when people need concepts, viewpoints, lessons, impressions, interpretation or understanding, they turn to the pages of newspapers and magazines, listen to voices over the radio and watch pictures on television, the visual version of radio. For us, the label “journalist” or “reporter” or “presenter” or “producer” or “director” or “public Relations (PR) man” or “advertising executive”, is a badge we wear proudly and passionately because our lives are eventful and fruitful. And the question now arises: what is life without Mass Communication? Dull, depressing, disorganized and dark. Uneventful and uninteresting. These realities are understandable and unassailable. Mass Communication is a job for every day, every week, every month and every year. When will people cease to be curious about things happening in their environment to themselves, their relatives, their acquaintances and even to total strangers from whom they may learn valuable lessons? Mass Communication is not only exciting but eternal. What you have done for yourself alone dies with you (e.g eating). However, what you have done for others and the world remains and is immortal (e.g writing). What is a good life it doesn’t touch other lives? Thus Mass Communication is a delightful and deathless profession. Hardworking Staff As worthy words from wealthy minds say, the best team contains people with different strengths. And so it is with this Department. Peopled with a team of highly motivated, experienced and research-active staff who have contributed to journalistic thought and literature, it trains students to discharge their duties with uprightness and professionalism. You can look forward to a unique educational experience and also to many challenges. Achieving Students Already, some of our students are striving and inspiring a sense of pride and possibility. Impressively, they have shaped up intellectually. While some have authored books, others have returned from their media attachment programmes with prizes Theory Married to Practice It is said that a boy only educated at school is an uneducated person. Obviously, one cannot learn everything in the class. Accordingly, the Department has an internship programme for 200 level and 300 level students that exposes them to the industry, where they carry out real journalistic duties in real media houses around the country. From the awards they have been winning and from the commendations they have been earning from media managers, it is plain that they have been performing encouragingly. Interestingly, even after the formal media attachment programme, they continue to contribute stories and features to the pages of some national newspapers. Decided Departmental Direction Here, in this Department, students are prepared to be hugely ambitious. When we produce our students, we want them to be competent, confident and competitive. They are encouraged to work while it is day. At the same time, they are advised that if they stay awake through the night, there will be a brighter day. They are inspired to have the dream, to have the belief in order to experience the pinnacle of success in Mass Communication. Students are challenged to work hard because no one can do better for them than themselves. Commitment and diligence are the best investments they can make so that they may be high and hopeful of making a bright start, after their 4-year degree programme. Whatever the assignment, task or responsibility, they are inspired to let their professional fire lead the way. It is their conviction and dedication that will make all the difference in the world. Students are encouraged to learn from their experiences and keep on trying to reach their goal. In Conclusion From their attitudes and appearance, I am convinced that our students are hearty and hard working. Accordingly, I say to you: don’t wither away, chase your dream. Read and rise. Study and succeed. Endeavour and excel. Attempt and accomplish. It is man’s to strive and heaven’s to give success. Therefore, as you work, don’t forget to also worship. The Handbook This handbook is designed to help you with information you can use concerning the university, the Department and your academic pursuits. It gives a background on the university’s establishment and operations, identifies its visitor, members of its governing council and its principal officers. It moves on to give a brief on the Department: its philosophy, staff members and their responsibilities, teaching modes, grading system, admission requirements, registration procedure and the requirements for graduation. Additionally, the handbook outlines rules and regulations governing the conduct of examinations and penalties for malpractices. Finally, it lays out the approved courses for the B.A Mass Communication programme. Welcome to the watchful, wonderful and winsome world of the information industry. Muhammad S. Rabiu Senior Lecturer & Acting Head Department of Mass Communication
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 12:05:54 +0000
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