UEW Launches Institute of Public Relations Student Chapter
The Department of Strategic Communication of the School of Communication and Media Studies (SCMS) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has taken a monumental step in advancing public relations education with the official launch of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, student chapter.
This event, held on Thursday, 15th August, 2024, at the North Campus Mini-Conference Room, marks a significant milestone in UEW's commitment to fostering excellence in public relations practice.
The launch event drew a distinguished gathering of PR professionals and academics, including luminaries such as Ms. Esther Cobbah, President of IPR-Ghana and CEO of STRATCOMM Africa, Mr. Arik Karani, President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA); Mr. Samuel Mutahi, Assistant Treasurer of the Public Relations Society, Kenya; and Ms. Ivy Heward-Mills, Coordinator of IPR Student Chapter.
The occasion celebrated not only the inauguration of the student chapter but also the enduring partnership between UEW and IPR-Ghana in nurturing the next generation of PR leaders.
Prof. Mavis Amo-Mensah, Head, Department of Strategic Communication (STRATCOM) at UEW, in her opening remarks, lauded IPR-Ghana's 50-year legacy of excellence in public relations. She underscored the significance of the launch in connecting UEW students with the professional PR community, offering invaluable opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development.
Prof. Amo-Mensah expressed her anticipation for a productive collaboration, aimed at enhancing PR students' skills and contributing to the growth of the field locally and globally.
Prof. Albert Agbesi Wornyo, Dean of SCMS at UEW and Chairman of the event, highlighted the key benefits of joining the IPR student chapter. He spoke passionately about the potential for networking, professional growth, and staying updated with industry trends. He advised the new student chapter executives to uphold integrity, honesty, and transparency.
The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Esther Cobbah, a prominent figure in the PR industry and a vocal advocate for the profession. Ms. Cobbah encouraged UEW's strategic communication students to actively shape their futures and become influential assets in the field.
She stressed the importance of going beyond theoretical knowledge to demonstrate real value and earn respect in the industry. Her speech emphasised the role of mentorship and the newly enhanced IPR-Ghana mentorship programmes, designed to support students through broad group, and individual mentorship opportunities.
Ms. Cobbah also shared her personal journey, highlighting the need for intellectual diligence, creativity, and analytical thinking in public relations. She urged young professionals to transform challenges into opportunities and to contribute to ethical communication, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections and peacebuilding initiatives.
Her call to action underscores the broader impact that PR professionals can have on Ghana's development, Africa's unity, and global peace.
The successful launch of the IPR, Ghana, student chapter at UEW not only marks a new era for strategic communication students but also highlights the university's ongoing dedication to excellence in public relations education. As UEW joins the IPR community of student chapters, it reaffirms its commitment to nurturing future PR professionals who drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to the industry.
