Gregory University, Uturu being one of the fastest growing private universities in this space was founded by Prof. Gregory Ibe, and because its students, well tutored as the case may be, had shown distinctive dispositions at one time or the other, lovers of education have continued to pour encomiums on their lecturers, whose relentless efforts and brilliance have positioned the University at the top, its founder reaping the fruits of his labour, to this day. It is no exaggeration to say that the lecturers of Gregory University, Uturu are academically exceptional, and being under their tutelage in itself is education. This, in fact, brings to the surface the essence of hard work and diligence that have remained the backbones of successful fellows in different climes.
Remarkably, the academic calender of the School for 2023/ 2024 has created room for a professor in the University, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Uwaoma Kalu Uche to lecture the public. The Professor of Mass Communication will be delivering his inaugural lecture, the 8th Inaugural Lecture of Gregory University, Uturu on Wednesday, the 15th of November 2023 at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Auditorium. He will be lecturing on “Communicating Life And Death In Our Atomistic Conflict Prone Society, Media Role In Resolving The Albatross”.
Considering his intellectual acumen and oratory prowess, it is most assuring to state that it is going to be an exhilarating moment with Prof. Uwaoma Kalu Uche, and another time for sound academic exercise.
Who is Professor Uwaoma Kalu Uche?
Professor Uwaoma Kalu Uche is a Professor of Mass Communication, whose area of research interests are in Broadcasting, Film and Multi Media Studies,Tradomedia, Strategic Communication, Audience Engineering, Public Speaking, Media Management and Development Communication. Also in Peace Journalism, Aesthetics, Semiotics, Drama and Tourism Management.
EDUCATION
Born at Akahaba General Hospital, Abiriba, Abia State and hails from Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, Uwaoma had his primary education at Ebem Primary School, Ohafia, Enuda Primary School, Abiriba, McGregor Demonstration School, Afikpo and Umunnabuo Primary School, Ihechiowa. He attended these several schools due to the regular move with both parents who were teachers in the secondary and primary schools, and had to navigate these schools as parents were transferred.
He attended the prestigious Edo College, Benin City. Due to his distinctive and exceptional intelligence, he made the only two nominations from the old Imo State, in the National Common Entrance. This had earned him free secondary education, under the Prof Ambrose Alli government of the then Bendel State. The quest for university education took him through the great University of Calabar, where he obtained the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) with specialization in Radio TV Film Production, Master of Arts with specialization in Media and Arts Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy PhD in Broadcast Media Management.
He cut his professional edge in the mass media fora as a Presenter/Producer with the Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation, Calabar in 1989 .
He has over three decades teaching in the academic world, and it started in 1993 as a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, The Polytechnic Calabar and he moved on to the Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar, Abia State University, Uturu, Renaissance University Ugbawka Enugu, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Hezekiah University Umudim, Nkwere, Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Rhema University, Aba and Gregory University, Uturu.
He has to his record to have been the Head of the Mass Communication Departments in all the aforementioned institutions, and even pioneered the establishment of four, namely: Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Hezekiah University Umudim, Nkwere, Rhema University, Aba and Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
He has 87 publications to his credit as journal articles and book chapters in reputable peer reviewed works locally, institutionally and internationally. He has also published and edited 6 books in Mass Communication, Broadcasting and Media Relations.
Interestingly, he was a two-time elected former Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Abia State University Chapter, and University Orator.
He has also been Special Aide on Political Enlightenment to Governor Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, Special Aide on Orientation to Governor Chief Theodore Orji, Special Adviser on Grassroots Mobilization to Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, all in Abia State.
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Professor Uwaoma Kalu Uche is a member of the following professional bodies.
- Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, ACSPN where he is the Abia State Chapter Chairman
- African Council for Communication Education, ACCE
- Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR
- Institute of Mass Communication and Information Management, IMIM
- West Africa Green Economy Development Institute, WAGEDI as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF)
- Institute of Policy Development Management, IPDM as a fellow of the institute
- IGPCM.
He is a Resource Person to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the National Universities Commission (NUC ), the Technical Committee of the National Development Plan 2020_2050 and the Academic Planning and Quality Assurance of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR.
Prof Uwaoma Uche is a Regular Public Speaker, Public Relations and Strategic Communication Consultant, and an On Air Personality (OAP). Former Dean, College of Social and Management Sciences, Former Director, Joint Universities Pleminary Examinations Board JUPEB, all in Gregory University Uturu.
He is the current Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Chairman, Ceremonials Committee, Gregory University Uturu.
He is a devoted community leader and Publicity Secretary of the Ihechiowa Development Union, IDU in the past 12 years.
He is happily married to his covenant partner, Barr Mrs Peculiar Uwaoma Uche, and blessed with two sons.
Ugochukwu Asiegbu
07/11/2023.
