UniMAC launches strategic plan to drive academic excellence

Prof Eric Opoku Mensah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Media, Arts and Communication, has unveiled a five-year corporate strategic plan.

Speaking at the launch of the strategic plan on 21st May, 2026, Prof Mensah said the initiative was designed to consolidate the gains made by the university while positioning it to respond to rapidly changing technological and industry demands.

Explaining that the strategic plan would serve as a roadmap for the university’s development over the next five years, which aimed at transforming the institution into a centre of academic excellence.

Reflecting on the institution’s growth, the Vice-Chancellor noted that UniMAC currently has seven faculties and 16 departments spread across its three constituent institutions.

He added that as of November 2024, the university had a total population of 4,195, supported by 456 full-time staff and 39 contract staff.

“It is our quest to build on these successes to ensure that we are all on board to translate our collective vision into actions to propel this institution forward,” Prof Mensah stated.

He said the plan was anchored on the university’s vision of becoming “a first-rate university that pursues excellence in research and professional education and training in the broad fields of communication and creative arts for societal transformation.”

According to him, the institution’s mission is to deliver value-based education through a technology-driven platform that enables collaboration among academics, industry professionals, alumni, entrepreneurs, and students to strengthen research, teaching, and learning.

Prof Mensah explained that the strategic plan was guided by six core values — excellence, integrity, transparency, unity, discipline, accountability, and industrial and community relevance — which would shape the university’s operations and long-term development.

He disclosed that the university had identified nine thematic areas under the strategic plan, each supported by measurable objectives, performance indicators and designated officers responsible for implementation.

“These are not just broad long-term plans, but actionable activities and daily, weekly and monthly operational moves that will lead to the attainment of the thematic objectives of our strategic plan,” he stressed.

Touching on the first thematic area, Academic Excellence, Curriculum Innovation and Experiential Learning, Prof Mensah said UniMAC would prioritise innovative and industry-driven programmes to maintain its competitive edge in media arts and communication education.

He explained that the university intended to introduce fully accredited programmes, strengthen industrial collaborations, expand internship opportunities and improve teaching and learning resources to prepare students for the demands of the modern workplace.

On research and innovation, he described them as the hallmarks of every forward-looking university, adding that UniMAC aimed to strengthen its global standing through impactful and policy-relevant research.

“Research and innovation are key to UniMAC’s global position,” he said, noting that efforts would focus on increasing research grants, boosting visibility and enhancing teaching impact across the media, communication and creative arts sectors.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted infrastructure development and digital transformation as critical priorities, saying the university planned to invest in modern facilities and technological systems to support teaching, learning and research.

He revealed that projects under the plan included the construction of lecture halls, completion of an ultra-modern auditorium complex, establishment of a multimedia hub, a university clinic and a fully equipped e-learning centre.

Quoting leadership thinker James Morgan, he said, “A great regime without great people is irrelevant,” underscoring the importance of building a motivated and skilled workforce to drive the university’s ambitions.