The ICT University has officially launched the 100 Million FCFA media support initiative announced by the President of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Victor Mbarika, bringing together journalists, bloggers, media executives, and communication leaders for the Media Innovation Roundtable 2026. Held in celebration of World Press Freedom Day, the high-level gathering focused on the future of journalism and Artificial Intelligence under the theme: “𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲.” The ceremony marks the beginning of a nationwide effort to support and empower media professionals in Cameroon.
The President of the Board of Trustees and founder of the ICT University, Prof Victor Mbarika, has donated 5 million FCFA to some media organs and associations of journalists in Cameroon. The donation was handed to beneficiary media organs and associations in Yaounde yesterday, May 12. The offer is part of a special support fund to media organs in Cameroon, particularly and Africa, at large, which Prof Mbarika announced months ago.
Speaking through zoom, Prof Mbarika underscored that the media remains an integral part in the development of any organization. He stated that the media has contributed to pushing the ICT University to another level. Prof Mbarika announced that ICT University will initiate a special support fund with the help of partners to support media organs in Cameroon and Africa at large. He underscored that: “We appreciate the work of journalists in Cameroon. On behalf of ICT University, I salute the role of media practitioners in Cameroon. In this light, we are launching a special support fund for media organs in Cameroon to enable them to carry out their duties with much ease. ” The ICT University Founder ” encouraged media organs to continue with the good work they are doing as it goes a long to contribute to the development and growth of our country Cameroon.”
Underscoring reason d’etre of the discussions, the Vice chancellor of the ICT University Prof Emmanuel Tonye said the conference paves the way for Journalists in Cameroon to get used to the AI era and postulate in making it a tool in improving on their job. He said that journalists should not be afraid of AI, insisting that it has come f to ease their work of relaying information.
Prof Tonye also said, “We organised this conference to draw the attention of media men on the trend artificial intelligence is taking. The conference aims to bring to their knowledge of the role artificial intelligence can play in making their job easier and more professional. So we are encouraging them not to be afraid of this era but to use it as a stepping stone for growth. ” The Vice Chancellor also said the conference was to appreciate the media men for the enormous contribution to nation-building and national integration.
He said it is thanks to media organs in Cameroon that ICT University has become very popular reason they are extending gratitude to the media in Cameroon.
The meeting had In attendance heavyweights in the media landscape, including the President of the Association of English-Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ, Jude Viban; the President of the Union of Francophone Press Union, UPF, Evelyn Mengue, amongst many others. Speaking to the Press shortly after receiving their special support, the President of CAMASEJ, Jude Viban, said the sum of 500 000 FCFA handed to them will go a long way to empower members of the association.
He also said, ” At a time when the press in Cameroon is faced with economic challenges, the support of institutions as such serves as a booster to our activities. CAMASEJ, which is the umbrella association for English- speaking journalists in the country, is grateful for this support from ICT University, and it will go along to boost our activities, ” Viban noted” .He also noted that: “The Conference we attended here today serves as an eye-opener that we can use AI for growth as media organs, not seeing it like an opponent.”
Evelyn Mengue of UPD saluted the efforts of ICT University to empower the media. She said, “The support we have received here comes to reassure us that the work we are doing is being recognised. We thank ICT University for this support it will go a long way to foster our activities. ” The ceremony also saw the award of special prizes to media organizations and media men for their contribution to the nation building.
