No fewer than 2,000 Nigerian scholars and media professionals have benefited from capacity-building programmes supported by RUDN University, aimed at strengthening digital pedagogy, entrepreneurial journalism and ethical standards in academic writing.
According to a statement obtained by Daily Feeds Newspapers through the Head of Project, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Geopolitical Communication, RUDN University, Mustapha Jamiu, the initiative was implemented through the university’s Centre for Continuing Professional Education since 2023.
Jamiu highlighted that the project also forms part of efforts to enhance academic collaboration and enhance professional competence among lecturers, researchers and media practitioners in Nigeria.
Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at the university, Elizaveta Telegina, said the programmes reflect the importance of continuous learning in an era defined by technological change and evolving professional demands.
“Continuing education programmes in media communications enable participants to improve their practical skills while working on real projects relevant to modern professional environments.” Telegina said.
She added that the initiative also promotes knowledge exchange among professionals from different cultural backgrounds, strengthening the role of education in sustainable development.
The training programmes were conducted under the academic direction of Mustapha Muhammed Jamiu of the Department of Mass Communication, who coordinated the sessions across partner institutions in Nigeria.
According to Jamiu, the courses focused on areas such as digital pedagogy for higher education teachers, entrepreneurial journalism in algorithmic systems, and the ethics of academic writing and research in emerging technologies.
He explained that the programmes were organised in collaboration with several Nigerian institutions, including University of Ilorin, Kaduna State University, Nasarawa State University, Fountain University, and Afe Babalola University, among others.
Training sessions were held across multiple locations, including Kwara, Nasarawa, Abuja, Osun and Ekiti states, bringing together participants from academic and media sectors.
Director of the Centre for Continuing Professional Education, Kristina Abdus, said the project has also facilitated cooperation agreements with African organisations such as the Centre for Research on the Development of Media Management and Society in Africa (CEREDEMS Africa), the African Centre for Media and Intercultural Dialogue, Customer Service Awards Limited, and the Wakanda Media Foundation.
She noted that the partnerships help align training programmes with local realities while strengthening long-term cooperation between educational institutions and industry stakeholders.
Some participating institutions later honoured Jamiu with awards of recognition for his role in facilitating the programmes, which stakeholders say have contributed to strengthening professional training and academic collaboration between Russia and Nigeria.
