By Chiekezie Emmanuel

The Head of Mass Communication Department, ESUT, Barr. Dr. Chidiebere Ezinwa, has pledged to incorporate experiential learning into the department’s curricula which uphold Governor Peter Mbah’s new policy with emphasize in experiential learning in the state.

Dr. Ezinwa revealed this during the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) three-day Film Production training for the students of the department in Enugu

During an interview with the ESUT Monitor, the HOD noted that, “This event is an eye-opener, which incites what happens in the film industries. I am sure that those students who paid proper attention to the Programme will benefit greatly.”

He stated that what they film training is in line with what the Governor of Enugu State, Barr Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has instructed – “experiential learning, people learning things practically, not just reciting theories and concepts, but actually doing things with practical knowledge,” he emphasized.

The programme organizers are using films to bring about social change in different sectors. For example, the issue of gender-based violence has become rampant in society. However, the film training aims to enlighten students on how to use documentaries and films to change some situations in society.

“I am really happy we are doing something that aligns with the dream of His Excellency, which our VC, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has also inculcated in the staff.

“I have succeeded in using one stone to kill two birds; we are talking about unbundling the department. We have an interest in including Film and Multi-Media Studies as one of the departments. With this contact, we have gained now; we will try to see how we can collaborate with people already in the film industries.

The organizers promised to support the department in training the students who have interest in film-making.

One of the students, Edennaji Ezinne, from the Mass Communication Department, 200 level, expressed gratitude and happiness to the HOD for giving them the privilege to be in the programme.

She stated that the event is a “mind-blowing and impactful one because it is here to teach people who do not have the knowledge or who want to know more about storytelling and film production. I am happy and honored to be here,” she said.

While the ENIFF Film Production training ends today in Enugu with many students from the department attending from Thursday, it is important to emphasize that Dr Chidiebere Ezinwa ‘s leadership of the department has reinvigorated and repositioned it to be the pacesetter among others.

Dr Ezinwa has consistently exposed the students to practical aspects of journalism including visiting AfiaTV where a collaboration between the department and the company was reached; ensuring their participation in the second edition of the ENIFF training where the students are tutored on how to use their smartphones to creat and make movies and tell stories; reviving the ESUT Monitor Newspaper and also playing integral role in the restoration of ESUT Radio, 106.5FM, among others.

It could be recalled, that His Excellency, Barr Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah while delivering the first ESUT’s Distinguished Personality Lecture on Tuesday, 19th November, charged tertiary institutions in Enugu State to Implement Experiential Learning in their academic curricula as the bedrock for equipping the students with requisite knowledge to become productive before and after their gratulation.