Malaysia varsity names Achievers don research fellow

Dr. Chike Duru, an Associate Professor of Mass Communication at Achievers University in Owo, Nigeria, has been appointed a Research Fellow at INTI International University in Malaysia. This prestigious appointment, effective from May 19, 2026, to December 31, 2028, acknowledges his significant contributions to strategic communication, media studies, governance, international development, and communication research.

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The fellowship is aimed at promoting research excellence, strengthening institutional research standards and advancing international academic collaboration.

The fellowship, as stated by the Malaysian university, is designed to promote research excellence, elevate institutional research standards, and advance international academic collaboration. During his tenure, Dr. Duru is expected to actively participate in collaborative research projects, present at international conferences and research symposiums, supervise postgraduate students, deliver guest lectures, contribute to curriculum development, offer research consultancy, and publish scholarly works.

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As a Research Fellow, Duru will participate in collaborative research projects, international conferences, research symposiums, postgraduate supervision, guest lectures, curriculum development, research consultancy and scholarly publications.

Dr. Duru brings a wealth of experience to this role, heading the Department of Mass Communication at Achievers University while also possessing over two decades of professional experience across public, private, humanitarian, and international development sectors. His past roles include serving as a Communication Expert with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria and leading communications for a World Bank-supported project.

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He recently served as a Communication Expert with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria. He previously led communications for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project, a World Bank-supported initiative co-funded by the European Investment Bank and the French Development Agency.

His consultancy experience is extensive, having served as a Lead Communication and Advocacy Consultant for European Union and UK Department for International Development-funded programs focused on the rule of law, anti-corruption, and justice sector reforms. He also held a position as Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Governor of Imo State and was instrumental in Nigeria's Open Government Partnership. Dr. Duru has authored several textbooks and published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles.

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His consultancy portfolio includes serving as Lead Communication and Advocacy Consultant on the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme and the UK Department for International Development-supported Justice for All Programme, where he contributed to transparency, justice sector reforms and citizen engagement.