The International Communication Association (ICA) has approved a Regional Hub in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for hosting its 72nd International Convention. Port Harcourt is one of 11 cities across the world – three in Africa: Cape Town and Nairobi – that have been designated to host the #ICA22 Conference Regional Hubs. The ICA conference which has as theme ‘One World One Network’ will be held at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to the organizer of the Port Harcourt Regional Hub and Doctoral candidate in Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Ekaete George, Port Harcourt will not only enjoy live streaming of in-person sessions at the ICA conference, but will also make a panel presentation which is to be viewed by the ICA global community. She added that she was working with a team of committed scholars and professionals, in close coordination with the ICA, to welcome attendees from Nigeria and West Africa, and to ensure a truly international conference experience for all attendees.
Interested scholars and professionals who intend to register for and participate in the international conference through the Port Harcourt hub are advised to email their applications to: The Organizer, ICA22 Port Harcourt Regional Hub, to @ica22portharcourt@gmail.com. Female scholars across Nigeria and West Africa, as well as people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply. George has also called on individuals and corporate bodies to sponsor and partner ICA Port Harcourt Regional Hub in the areas of accommodation and other logistical requirements for attendees. They are to call +234705850199.
George, who expressed excitement at the approval of Port Harcourt as ICA regional hub, said, ”International Communication Association (ICA) is a global organization that aims to advance the scholarly study of communication by encouraging and facilitating excellence in academic research worldwide. With more than 4,500 members in 80 countries, the approval of a Regional Hub for Port Harcourt will create an avenue to build a robust ICA community in Nigeria.”
An acknowledgement letter from ICA headquarters in Washington DC, U.S., signed by Laura Sawyer stated, ”I’m writing with the happy news that your application to host a Regional Hub for #ICA22 participants in your region has been approved. We received 11 applications overall, from as far-ranging locations as St. Petersburg, Santiago, Hefei, Beijing, Shanghai, Cairo, Cape Town, Nairobi, Port Harcourt, Jakarta, and Manipal. All have been approved, in hopes of creating a global network of hubs during this conference that may grow into their own robust ICA communities.”