Collaborations
ICICREMW will collaborate with researchers, research organisations, governments, government agencies, and mass media institutions, as well as Non-Governmental Organisations at local, national, and international levels. The idea for this collaboration is motivated by the desire to train communication researchers locally, with competent skills necessary to enable them to adapt at the international level. The justification is that the current world has become a global village, with globalisation on the increase from all fronts. Consequently, problems affecting one city, region, or country are likely to be found in other contexts. Youth unemployment, job insecurity, overall insecurity, crime, violence, moral decadence, governance problems, and economic meltdown have become general concerns for humanity. The same set of media and communication problems that one will find in one area are likely to be found in other contexts. Thus, collaboration is paramount. This is the manner in which we intend to engage with different stakeholders who form the nucleus of our research operations:
1. Research Communities: Our research communities constitute a core base for our operations. In fact, they are our first contact. Without research communities, we cannot conduct any research. So, we acknowledge the contribution of our research communities towards contributing to the overall success of the mission and vision of ICICREMW. Thus, we aim to continually see our research communities find continuous value in the work we do, the places we go to, and the developments we intend to bring to our communities through quality research endeavours. This collaboration should also be able to bring positive social, economic, political, and cultural development for humanity. We will, in our best, respect the norms, cultures, and traditions of our research communities.
We also respect the traditional institutions in these communities put in place for the interest of the community. Chiefs, opinions leaders, and influencers in these communities will be a valuable point of contact between ICICREMW and the research community. Our goal is to improve the lives of people in the communities we research. We will remain ethical while conducting research in the communities, including communicating research findings to the communities and other key stakeholders, an issue we find problematic in most of our contexts. We will build and maintain trust between ICICREMW and our research communities. With trust, an open mind, and an open policy, we hope to make life sustainable for our communities. We encourage dialogue through feedback, meetings, and conversations that will enable us improve our research endeavours over time.
2. Government: We work in full compliance with rules and regulations established by the government of Cameroon for the interest of Cameroonians and all of humanity. We strongly believe that every government does, or is expected to work for the general interest of the governed. Our research efforts serve as a sustainable bridge between the government (local and national) and the communities we research. We are equally committed to meeting the aspirations of ministries in Cameroon by serving them with reliable data that can be used for informed decision-making. We understand that African governments are making considerable efforts in meeting up with the challenges of the 21st century. We are committed to enabling them further this agenda for the welfare of our communities. We believe that every citizen will rejoice if good decisions are made that enhance the quality of life of the people. We intend to partner strongly with municipal, city, and regional councils to enable them improve on their governance and management strategies.
3. Mass Media Institutions: Research by ICICREMW will heavily focus on the works of mass media institutions, as well as how such works are appreciated by media consumers. We partner primarily with media institutions in Cameroon (Newspapers, Magazines, the film industry, Radio stations, Television stations, and online media platforms) to assist them conduct quantitative (opinion surveys) and qualitative studies about audience use of these diverse media platforms, as well as studies on the respective contents of these media (Content Analysis). The main objective of these studies is to enable the media institutions know what audiences think about the contents they produce, and where possible, to enable the media institutions improve on the quality of what they offer to their respective target audiences. These studies will equally serve as a bench mark
4. Advertisers: We understand the value that advertisers place on quality research findings. These findings enable them know their markets and the degree to which their products and services are consumed by their targets (market research). Our key objective is to enable advertisers make the right choices in the media they would prefer to advertise therein, as well as help them understand the awareness, knowledge, attitude, and behaviour sustained by consumers and potential consumers towards their products and services. This will help the advertisers gain perfect knowledge of the market for their products/services and the existing competition.
5. Sponsors: We believe that our sponsors could be individuals, groups, corporations, or organisations. Our sponsors have a key role in our operations. Without them, we cannot fully achieve our mission and vision. We intend to have regular meetings and presentations with our sponsors. During such meetings and presentations, we will regularly put our research agenda to the sponsors and cause them to see into the importance of supporting our research initiatives. On our part, we ensure that accountability is rendered for support given to our research initiatives.
6. Trainees: Without our trainees, ICICREMW cannot operate. Our trainees are primarily those interested in the role and effects of communication and mass media towards sustainable development. We believe that information is power; and this power governs the world in all dynamic aspects. Our trainees will be given these values of understanding the role of information and communication towards the development of society. Trainees are students and workers. Our duty is to train competent communication researchers who master modern principles and methods of communication research. Even those trained at the centre work under different contexts and with different persons from around the world. It is therefore important for the trainees to begin understanding how collaboration and networking are put to work towards commonly addressing problems confronting humanity. That is why we promote a sense of belonging to our trainees and collaborators. Their work is valued.
They have potentials, and can contribute significantly to the growth of ICICREMW. Trainees are also assisted towards developing independent skills which will enhance their confidence while in school, and in their job settings. That is why we put skills development at the centre of our operations. Our trainees are assisted in developing effective writing skills; a problem which burdens communication researchers and those in other disciplines today. On their part, trainees are expected to carry with them values of humility, commitment, an open mind to learn, curiosity, creativity, perseverance, endurance, team spirit, and respect for self and others (including the environment within which we operate and the research community). With these values, which we reinforce in our training, we believe that our trainees will strive and survive in any kind of job environment.
7. International Organisations: We acknowledge the tremendous efforts that international organisations like the United Nations and its Agencies, the African Union are making towards the general good of mankind. Our hope is to fit into their calendar as a research institute that supports the work they do towards the betterment of life in our communities. Through support from such organisations, we will maximise our potentials and serve then with quality and reliable data that will enable them continue to make informed policies and decisions within and out of Cameroon. Where donations and support is provided to encourage research, ICICREMW will, on its part, render accountability for how such donations were managed in the research process. Our goal is to build strong and sustainable relationships with international organisations and cause them find improved value on the work we do as a research centre (ICICREMW). We are optimistic that our working relationship with international organisations will bring quality of life to the people these international organisations serve. Our role is to provide them with quality data that respects scientific procedures and generates conclusions and recommendations meant to enhance the quality of life for mankind.
8. The Environment: We have a duty to contribute to environmental protection and safety. Our activities will, in no way, be meant to harm the environment or create situations (pollution, unnecessary noise or inconvenience) in the area within which we conduct our operations. We believe that our environment is a key partner to our success. Consequently, our hope is to make the best out of what the environment offers, as well as offer environmental sustainability where and when necessary and possible.
9. Other Research Centres, Institutes, and Organisations: It is not possible for a research centre of this nature to operate in isolation. Collaboration is necessary so as to see what ICICREMW will contribute specifically towards making life better for mankind. The centre will regularly collaborate with other research centres towards providing solutions to communication problems facing the media and communication landscape in Cameroon, Africa, and the world. Such collaboration will enhance the exchange of expert ideas, knowledge, and skills for the betterment of mankind. We will tap from research experts in such reputable academic and professional groupings like The International Communication Association (ICA), Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA), Pew Research Center for People and the Press, amongst others.
10. Researchers / Research Experts / Research Collaborators: From time to time, research experts (local, national, and international) will contribute towards building the knowledge and skills bases of our trainees. The experts will be expected to share their lived research experiences with the trainees. Such experiences will also serve as motivation to the trainees. Collaboration with research experts and collaborators is built on the value of mutual respect. We conduct our activities in such pursuits which give value to our collaborators and stakeholders, and make them a key part of our operations. We will regard the highest standards of ethics in our activities, operations, and interactions with research experts and collaborators.
11. Universities: We regard the modern University system in this information society as a place of knowledge and skills production. We work in collaboration with Universities that look up to social science and development research as an opportunity to bring meaningful changes to our societies from all spheres of influence. We work with individual scholars and researchers in these Universities, Communication Research Centres and laboratories, Departments, and Faculties (especially in Communication and related disciplines) to advance knowledge and practice through research. Our hope is to give our trainees maximum exposure to excellent research, researchers, and scholars from top-ranking and highly valued universities around the world. By so doing, they can enhance their performance in today’s digitally driven and innovative world.