The University of Abuja has entered into a multi-year partnership with communication firm Drawbridge CM Limited to provide practical industry training for students in Advertising and Public Relations.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Wednesday by Drawbridge CM Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hassan Abdul, and the Head of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Dr Kamaldin Babatunde, on behalf of their respective organisations.
The partnership will target 300- and 400-level students through semester-based industry immersion programmes.
According to the agreement, students will participate in hands-on workshops, portfolio clinics, guest lectures and mentorship sessions led by experienced agency practitioners.
The programme will also expose students to campaign planning, media buying, creative strategy and crisis management using corporate case studies, as well as applications of artificial intelligence in advertising and public relations campaigns.
The agreement establishes a joint coordination committee comprising faculty members and Drawbridge executives to oversee course design, monitoring and student evaluation.
Babatunde said the partnership would strengthen the practical orientation of the department’s programmes by bringing current industry experience into the classroom.
The Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Dr Barnabas Gbam, said the faculty and university supported the initiative.
Abdul said the partnership would expose students to current commercial practices and emerging technologies in the communications industry.
The first workshop series under the agreement is scheduled to commence at the University of Abuja main campus during the upcoming academic semester.
