The University Relations Office (URO) of UENR on Thursday, July 11, 2024, organized a training session for student bloggers of the University as well as students with an interest in communications related issues. The programme which was initiated by Ms. Jennifer Naa Jaaga, a Principal Administrative Assistant at the URO sought to equip participants with the skills to create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that effectively represents the university online.
Speaking at the event held at the old auditorium, the Head of URO, Dr. Alfred Ohenenana Appiah, appreciated the support of the University Management in organizing the training and emphasized the importance of information sharing in promoting a positive and unified image of UENR. He urged the student bloggers to collaborate and be mindful of their online presence, reminding them that in the context of online information sharing, “what is seen cannot be taken back”.
The training programme which is the first edition also offered a wealth of practical knowledge to participants. One of the facilitators, Mr. Benjamin Gyamera, an Assistant Registrar and Head of Events and Media Section at URO, kicked off the session with “How to Write Good Journalistic Reports as a Blogger.” He delved into the fundamentals of blogging, guiding participants in identifying their niche, conducting research, and crafting compelling headlines. Mr. Gyamera emphasized the importance of citing credible sources, avoiding plagiarism, and proofreading meticulously to ensure accuracy.
Recognizing the student bloggers’ interest in graphic design and visual content, a Senior Administrative Assistant (Graphic Designer) at URO, Mr. Emmanuel Appiah, presented “The Do’s and Don’ts of Graphic Design”. Hinging on the statement “a good designer is a happy blogger”, he took his audience through the history and evolution of art and how art is deeply connected to the artist. Mr. Appiah covered best practices for selecting, using, and creating visuals to enhance blog posts for excellent and outstanding visual storytelling.
The training extended beyond technical writing skills as Mr. David Twumasi-Ankrah, Head of General Administration Division explored “Branding and Content Creation.” He introduced the concept of the “5 C’s” of branding: character, competence, confidence, clarity, and congruence. Mr. Twumasi-Ankrah offered valuable advice on tailoring content to specific audiences, maintaining brand consistency, and optimizing content for mobile platforms. He also delved into the psychology of branding, encouraging student bloggers to identify niche markets, establish brand missions, and collaborate with others for rapid growth, efficiency and productivity.
Mr. Abubakar A. F. Pambo, of InspiNest, a non-governmental organization in Sunyani on his part delivered on “Digital Literacy for Entrepreneurs”, which addressed common misconceptions about the technology industry and offered guidance on online safety. Mr. Pambo also provided insights on building a successful blog and exploring revenue streams such as advertising, services, sponsorships, and product sales.
A presentation on financial literacy was also delivered by the UENR Credit Union Manager, Mr. Papa Kwame Asante. He mentioned the importance of saving habits for young people and how preparing daily for financial independence is key to having a great and peaceful financial life.
By equipping student bloggers with the knowledge and skills to excel in the online world, the training programme successfully empowered them to become valuable brand ambassadors for the university. Some of the bloggers who attended included Ask UENR, Voice of UENR, UENR Online, and UENR News Arena among others. The SRC President, Mr. Gideon Aidoo, and the SRC Public Relations Committee members were also in attendance.
