To enhance visibility and ensure the accurate dissemination of information about the Centers of Excellence, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) took the lead in conducting a communication training workshop for its centres’ communications officers. The workshop, held from 27 to 31 May 2024 at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, brought together communication officers from ACE II Centers of Excellence in Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique, as well as the IUCEA communication team.

Mr. Jimmy Kainja, the Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, and Ms. Lawrencia Kapina, a Communications Intern at the University of Malawi, attended the workshop. The sessions covered various topics, including social media engagement, media relations, branding guidelines, and internal communication. The sessions also allowed the communications experts to finalise their communication strategies and receive feedback on the Centres’ websites. 

The facilitators employed diverse training methods, including group discussions and practical exercises, which made the sessions more interactive and engaging, enhancing learning and encouraging active participation.

Ms. Kapina remarked that the training equipped her with communication skills to increase the Centre's and the University’s visibility. “I believe that the knowledge I have gained through the workshop will enable me to know what to do and avoid when dealing with the media and how best to write and document stories and highlight achievements for the Center and the University,” she said.