Olufemi Adesope’s Post

Professor Owunari Georgewill: A Leader by Tact and Time The University of Port Harcourt holds a unique place in Nigerian academia. As its 9th Vice Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill embodies that uniqueness. He is a leader not just by title, but by a remarkable blend of tact, social engagement, and an unwavering commitment to efficiency. Professor Georgewill's strength lies in his ability to navigate complex situations with finesse. He is a master of tact, fostering collaboration over skirmish. He isn't an ivory tower leader – he is readily accessible, even through unconventional channels like WhatsApp. This accessibility fosters trust and open communication, allowing him to address student and staff concerns effectively. This accessibility extends beyond the physical world. Professor Georgewill is a social media enthusiast, actively engaging with the University community online. This two-pronged approach, both physical and virtual, creates a vibrant social network where students and staff feel heard and valued. His public relations skills are a marvel to behold. He has cultivated a "kaleidoscope of public relations," a multifaceted approach that garners widespread support and fosters a positive image for the University. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Professor Georgewill's leadership style is his relationship with time. He is a man who respects its power and wields it with precision. Long before assuming the Vice Chancellor's mantle, he was known for arriving at meetings hours early, demonstrating a deep respect for others' time as well as his own. This meticulous approach is evident when he once chaired the School of Graduate Studies Seminar presentations [Yours truly was a witness to this]. Under his guidance, a process that typically lasted n for six hours was streamlined and completed in less than four. This anecdote beautifully illustrates his ability to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions that benefit everyone. Professor Georgewill's focus on efficiency extends beyond isolated incidents. It speaks to a larger vision he holds for the University. He understands that time is a precious resource, both for students and faculty. By streamlining processes and fostering a culture of punctuality, he empowers the University community to achieve more in less time. This begs the question: where does Professor Georgewill find this seemingly boundless energy and unwavering commitment? The answer likely lies in his passion for education and his dedication to the University he leads. His enthusiasm is contagious, inspiring those around him to strive for excellence. Professor Owunari Georgewill is a leader unlike any other. He is a man of the people, and a champion of efficiency. He is a testament to the transformative power of leadership that is built on tact, social engagement, and a deep respect for time. The University of Port Harcourt is fortunate to have him at the helm, steering it towards a brighter future.

At PR Academy Ltd Insights, we've published the second part of the research that Richard Bailey Hon FCIPR and I have done this year into PR education. This is an important read for anyone interested in the ways that public relations education is evolving in the UK. It follows up on the report that we published in 2023 and covers the following points: • Public relations degrees and the marketisation of higher education • The focus of academic public relations research • The transfer of academic research knowledge into practice • Training and professional qualifications This year's report is being published in four sections. Last week we published the executive summary of the report. This week the second section explores the marketisation of the higher education sector and the impact on public relations degrees. It also considers the ways that public relations is a frustrated academic discipline. Our conclusion is that if there has been a decline in public relations courses in universities in the UK it seems it has been limited specifically to undergraduate programmes; and the losses have been within lower ranked universities. Meanwhile, public relations has found a place at some of the UK’s most prestigious universities, though it tends to go by another name. Links to the report in comments below. #publicrelations #strategiccommunication #corporatecommunication #education #professionalism

The best time to share about your upcoming talk or presentation is before it happens. Some people find that their most engaged post on social media is announcing that you’ve submitted your abstract to speak (or your publication). I've got a new article for you on The Social Academic, professors. People are excited by the possibility and what you care about. Telling your story of your upcoming speaking engagement is a great way to do that. Enhance your online presence before, during, and after your academic presentation or speaking engagement. Ideas and inspiration. Plus, a resource specifically for you if you're headed to a virtual event in 2025. Links to The Social Academic in the comments below. #HigherEducation #Research #PresentationsAndSpeaking

I attended my first in-person communication conference; I was initially nervous about having to meet so many new people, but the experience was worth it. Before leaving for the conference, our lecturers gave us some form of orientation, which helped prepare us better. We were reminded that we were going as ambassadors of the University, so we should always act professionally. They advised us to avoid alcohol if possible, which wasn't a problem for me. We were told not to use our phones during the panels. I'm glad they mentioned that because I get easily distracted by my phone. We were also taught the academic form of an elevator pitch. Which is how we would introduce ourselves to the scholars we meet. And finally, they told us not to forget to enjoy the whole experience. I had always seen conferences as huge scholarly gatherings where I could never fit in, but going to the CSCA conference proved me wrong. Yes, you will meet lots of really smart people doing great work in academia, but you also are doing cool stuff too. And even more importantly, you will leave the conferences with so many new ideas generated from the panels you have attended. If you're a graduate or PhD student, then going to conferences should be on your to-do list. Also, you need to choose schools/departments that are known to be supportive of their student's goals. I remember we were informed about this conference as early as our first week in graduate school — not just that, but the department also sponsored our trip. If I had to choose again, I'd choose Western Michigan University - School of Communication. #communicationscholar #communicationstudent #graduatestudent

At Footnote, we’ve long believed that communication bridges the gap between research and impact. With colleges and universities facing declining trust, it’s more important than ever to invest in communicating big ideas in easy-to-understand ways. Read more in this blog post I co-authored with Nadav Ziv for Inside Higher Ed: https://lnkd.in/etN2UdwV

🚨 Academic Email Red Flags? 🚨 I just received this email offering "academic collaboration opportunities." While it’s carefully worded avoiding any direct references to academic malpractices, I can’t shake the feeling that something seems off. 🤔 Key points that raised my skepticism: 1️⃣ Vague but enticing promises about "competitive compensation for expertise" without much detail. 2️⃣ An emphasis on editors of "WOS-indexed journals" and potential involvement in manuscript refinement – terms that can sometimes overlap with paper mill practices. 3️⃣ Only very vague institutional affiliation. As academics, we must stay vigilant to offers that might exploit or compromise our integrity. While this could be legitimate, I have my doubts (to phrase it carefully). Transparency and caution are essential.

Panic is setting in. Millions of students (and their parents) – both American and international – now face perhaps the scariest deadline of their young lives: applying for admission to U.S. universities. Don’t worry! I can coach you through the most stressful part: producing your #PersonalEssays. In just three sessions, I can steer you through the entire process of writing your #CommonApp essay or university-specific #SupplementalEssays: from brainstorming an idea, to polishing your final draft. For more on my unique skills, strategies and storytelling – which I adapted from my career as an #InternationalJournalist – read this chapter from my  "Global Communications Toolkit": https://lnkd.in/ekD-BPdS. I’ve recently coached nine students: five Americans, three Chinese and one Hungarian. (That’s my Hungarian student, with his mother, in the photo below.) For each, I helped identify their persuasive “core messages”; unearth “credible evidence” to prove they truly embody those messages; and woven it all into “humanizing” content that opens a window onto their authentic self. Here’s how our three Zoom sessions unfold: 1) In the first, we brainstorm and strategize, then I write an outline – like a roadmap – for how to open your essay, then lead the reading Admissions Officer from beginning to end. 2) In the second, after you’ve written your first draft, I now critique it, showing how exactly you can improve it – such as, by filling holes. 3) In the third, with your revised draft in hand, we now polish it together. It’s that easy. I GUARANTEE that you (and your parents) will be satisfied: students I’ve coached have been admitted to undergraduate and graduate programs at schools like Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Emory, University of Florida, Amherst College, University of Indiana, Rutgers University, Carnegie-Mellon University, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and many others. Contact me to learn more about my rates and availability. #CollegeEssay #EssayAdvising #CollegeCounseling #CollegeCounselor #UniversityAdvising #UniversityAdvisor #CollegeAdvising #CollegeAdvisor #InternationalStudents #ChineseStudents #UniversityApplications #WritingSkills #WritingCoach MJ Method Communications

Surely you can trust the experts the most? 🧐   Why is there so much scepticism towards academics? 👩🏫   Academic expert mistrust has been fuelled by various factors in recent years. However, there's been a noticeable shift in these attitudes and the value of academic expertise is only increasing. Therefore, it is important that experts are the most prominent voices, not those with little expertise, but large influence.   So, how can business schools, academics and industry experts tackle misinformation themselves and debunk it? The main way is to simply challenge it. 💡   Our PR Consultant Peter Remon shares more on why it is crucial for academic experts to share the facts and educate others.   To find out more, visit Peter’s full blog below!👇 https://lnkd.in/eDNzrnBC #AcademicExperts #OnlineMisinformation #SocialMedia

This international seminar provides an opportunity to revisit the two decades of the academic journey of an indigenous communication model. It also contributes to advancing the discourses on De-Westernization and Reorientation in the communication discipline. https://lnkd.in/dwAvKrex

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐑 🤩📰 Academic research must reach the public to have an impact on society. Despite its potential to influence and educate, much of it remains within academia. PR can amplify research, ensuring it reaches beyond academic circles. By highlighting key findings and presenting them in a newsworthy way, PR helps journalists share this valuable information with broader audiences.💡📝 Our PR Consultant Thomas Willis shares a comprehensive guide on how to do PR for university scholars’ publications. If you want to learn more about how your institution can enhance their visibility and impact, visit our new blog below! ⇩ https://lnkd.in/gNY4TaMN #BlueskyEducation #PublicRelations #UniversityResearch #AcademicResearch