The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) has taken a bold step in strengthening its global academic footprint with the hosting of a high-powered delegation from New York University (NYU), in a visit poised to reshape perspectives and deepen mutual interests in higher education, research, and institutional collaboration.
The twelve (12) member delegation, led by Professor Michael Funk, engaged UniMAC’s leadership in a series of discussions aimed at exploring strategic partnerships in teaching, research, and academic exchange.
Welcoming the delegation to the University, the Director of Public Affairs, Ms. Nana Efua Rockson, used the Ghana Month occasion to steep them in the traditional practices of welcoming guests, by offering them water, and how important their actions of taking a sip of the water would imply that they feel welcomed. She introduced the welcoming delegation on UniMAC’s side and invited the guests to introduce themselves.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Winston Abroampa, who stood in for the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah, to Chair the meeting, highlighted UniMAC’s rich legacy and strategic vision. He shared the university’s mission of producing world-class professionals in media, arts, and communication while advancing innovation and critical scholarship. Prof. Abroampa underscored UniMAC’s enviable reputation built over decades of excellence and expressed strong optimism about the partnership, assuring the NYU team of the university’s readiness to transform the collaboration into a mutually beneficial and impactful venture.
Using the opportunity, UniMAC also told its unique institutional story one spanning over six decades of academic leadership in media, arts, and communication education in Ghana and beyond. This narrative, grounded in excellence and transformation, positioned the university as a critical player in shaping Africa’s communication landscape.
Articulating the purpose of the visit, Prof. Michael Funk noted that NYU’s interest in UniMAC is driven by the university’s growing reputation as a leading hub for media, arts, and communication education in Africa. He emphasised that the visit was intended to build meaningful academic bridges, foster cross-cultural knowledge exchange, and identify concrete areas for collaboration that would benefit both institutions.
The Rector of the Institute of Journalism, Professor Christiana Hammond, reaffirmed the Institute’s vision of attaining global relevance in media studies. She expressed delight at the visit and called for deeper collaboration between UniMAC and NYU, particularly in the areas of joint research, faculty development, and student exchange programmes.
Further enriching the discussions, the Dean of the School of Journalism and Media Studies, Professor Gideon Este Sikanku, presented a comprehensive overview of the media landscape in Ghana, highlighting its dynamism, regulatory frameworks, and the critical role of journalism in national development.
The Director of Global Education and Collaborations, Dr. Lawrencia Agyepong, also outlined ongoing efforts to position UniMAC among the world’s leading institutions through strategic partnerships with top-tier universities globally, stressing that such collaborations are central to the university’s internationalization agenda.
The Acting Registrar, Dr. Obaapanin Adu expressed excitement about the visit indicating that the university would do everything administratively possible to ensure that the relationship with NYU yields positive outcomes for both institutions to promote cultural exchange and academic excellence.
In response, members of the NYU delegation expressed profound satisfaction with the visit, commending UniMAC for its clarity of vision, institutional strength, and academic excellence. They noted that the engagements had not only deepened their understanding of Ghana’s higher education and media ecosystem but had also reinforced their commitment to building a lasting and impactful partnership with UniMAC.
As part of the engagement, Prof. Abroampa delivered an insightful presentation on the overview of higher education in Ghana, tracing its historical evolution from basic and secondary education to the development of a robust tertiary system. His presentation provided a contextual foundation for understanding the academic environment within which UniMAC operates.
The visit marks a significant milestone in UniMAC’s journey toward global prominence, signalling a future defined by strategic alliances, academic excellence, and international collaboration. Both parties exchanged gifts as a sign of good relationship for the future.
