Stage set for ASMAC 50th anniversary celebration June 14-16.

The activities were unveiled Wednesday May 10. This was during a press conference at the Hervé Bourges Amphitheater of ASMAC.

The press conference was chaired by the Director of ASMAC, Prof Alice Nga Minkala. Co-chairpersons of the presser were the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo and the Secretary General at the Ministry of Communication, Prof Felix Zogo. 

The MINCOM scribe sat in for the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, who is also Chairperson of the Board of Directors of ASMAC.

The 50th anniversary will take place under the theme: “50 years of life in the service of excellence in information and communication”.

Speaking during the presser, ASMAC Director, Prof Nga Minkala, noted that the ceremony to mark the 50^th anniversary of the institution promises to be filled with rich activities. 

Prof Nga Minkala stated that in 50 years, ASMAC has witnessed manifold challenges. She said the school has moved from being an institution for the training of journalists to a place where communication professionals are trained. 

She cited the fields of Publishing, Advertising, Organisational Communication, Library Science and Archiving as key areas where the school is making its name.

The last 50 years for ASMAC, she noted, have been “five decades of change, five decades of full history and five decades of participation in the construction of the media landscape”.

The 50^th anniversary, she added, would provide an opportunity to reflect on the road covered and chart a new course for ASMAC. The event, she also said, would culminate in a joint graduation ceremony for the last five batches of trainees.

For his part, Prof Fame Ndongo, averred that 50 years is time enough to salute the different generation of students that have passed through ASMAC.

Fame Ndongo, who is one time Director of ASMAC, saluted the lecturers of the institution for what he said is the admirable job done in training young Cameroonians.

“You are privileged to be part of this institution; the future is bright as the institution now teaches you not only to be job seekers but equally to be job creators and entrepreneurs who can in return employ others,” the Minister stated.

Anniversary goal

The 50^th anniversary of the institution, according to the organisers, seeks to establish an intergenerational link between the various batches of ASMAC. 

They also said it will be a time to promote excellence in the teaching of information and communication programmes, raise funds for the various projects of the institution, create beneficial partnerships and celebrate achievements.

Activities to mark celebration

The anniversary would feature a football tournament that will bring together partner institutions, present students and ASMAC alumni, workshops and networking of communication professionals.

There will also be the launch of the ASMAC alumni, trade fair and a gala night during which trophies will be awarded to the winner of the football match.

About ASMAC

The institution, it should be stated, was created in 1970 as the Yaounde International School of Higher Education, ESIJ. 

It was later changed to the Advanced School of Information Science and Technology and then to the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC.

The institution has had six directors viz; Hervé Bourges, a French national who headed the institution till 1976. He was replaced by a Gabonese, Jean-Paul Nyalendo (1976-1981).

Nyalendo was replaced by a Cameroonian, Jacques Fame Ndongo, who served from 1981-1993. Marc-Joseph Omgba Etoundi took over and piloted the institution from 1993-2005. Laurent-Charles Boyomo Assala, who ran the affairs of the school from 2005-2021, handed over to current Director, Prof Alice Nga Minkala.