The University Senate of the University of Public Relations and Leadership convened its 14th regular sitting on 5 June 2026 and unanimously approved a landmark set of curriculum reforms designed to position UPRL graduates at the forefront of Africa’s communication and leadership landscape.
Key Reforms Approved
- Digital Communication Labs: All undergraduate programmes will now include a compulsory digital communication and AI literacy module from Year 1.
- Industry Integration: A mandatory 12-week industry placement has been introduced for all B.Sc. students in their third year.
- Research Enhancement: MSc and PhD programmes will include an expanded research methodology component and minimum publication requirements before graduation.
- New Electives: 14 new specialist elective modules in areas such as data journalism, sustainability communication, and crisis intelligence have been approved.
- Grading Reform: A revised grading scale aligned with international standards will take effect from September 2026.
Implementation Timeline
The new curriculum will be phased in commencing with the 2025/2026 academic session. Existing students will be provided with transition pathways to minimise disruption. Full implementation across all programme levels is expected by the 2026/2027 session.
The Senate extends its appreciation to all faculty members, students, and external stakeholders who contributed to the curriculum review process over the past 18 months.