Kingsley Okon|Abibat Shittu
The Association of Communication Students (ASCOM) has successfully held its orientation programme, welcoming newly admitted HND 1 and ND 1 students to The Polytechnic Ibadan campus and offering them insight into academic and extracurricular opportunities within the department.
In his address, the ASCOM President, Frank Ohamuo Uchenna, outlined planned activities including workshops on media production, public speaking, and digital storytelling. He also emphasized the importance of networking, noting that students would benefit from engaging with senior colleagues and faculty advisers.
The Head of Department, Dr. Olusoji Olatunji, explained that orientation is a compulsory activity designed to help students understand and align with the rules and expectations of both the institution and the department. He advised students to be mindful of the company they keep and stressed that academic rigor remains the bedrock of success in the communication profession.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Bisi Olawuyi spoke on the theme, “The New Power of the Media: Life Devices Before, Now, and in the Future.” He highlighted the rapid evolution of the media landscape, noting that while media in the past was largely analogue, today’s digital environment allows content to go viral within seconds. According to him, algorithms and virality now define the power and reach of modern media.
The programme featured an interactive question and answer session during which the ASCOM President explained the differences between secondary and tertiary education. Other executives encouraged students to attended lectures regularly, ask questions, actively participate in academic activities, and understand proper CGPA calculation.
A panel discussion session followed, where students were advised on how to prepare effectively for graduation and adhere to the expected code of conduct throughout their academic journey.
The highlight of the orientation was a debate competition between HND 1 and ND 1 students, which attracted a large and enthusiastic audience. The motion, “The Beauty of Journalism: Birthing Chaos,” sparked an engaging intellectual exchange, with the HND 1 team opposing the motion and the ND 1 team arguing that journalism can generate necessary disruption in society.
Both teams presented clear and well structured arguments supported with relevant examples. After a closely contested debate, the HND 1 team emerged victorious. Certificates of participation were presented to all participants.
Awards were also presented to the HOD Mass Communication Department for outstanding performance in the growth of the department, award of excellence were also presented to lecturers and past leaders and executives.
The Ascom 2025/2026 Orientation is a testament to the department aim of grooming create and a representative of the Mass Communication, The Polytechnic Ibadan in almost every media and government organisation in the country and beyond