1. ACE II Communication Strategy 2016-2021
Agnes Asiimwe Okoth
Information and Communication Officer, ACE II
October 26, 2016

2. Background
Objectives
Communication Strategy Pillars
Key Partners and Communication Roles
Key Messages
Target Audience
Implementation
Evaluating Success
Communication risk

3. Background
This Communication Strategy aims to support the objective of the ACE II Project by contributing to improved internal and external communication & understanding with all stakeholders
Ensure that key messages about the project design and impacts are widely disseminated
Give a roadmap for the implementation of strategic communication interventions to achieve the overall project objective

4. Objectives
Increase awareness about the Africa Centers of Excellence project among key stakeholders and the general public
Support collaboration within the ACEs by encouraging use of communication tools -- website, social media as networking platforms
Promote relationships between the ACEs and the private sector  
Support dissemination of ACE II project results
Identify and support effective channels for internal and external communication

5. Communication Strategy Pillars
Media Engagement – Press conferences, press releases
ACE II Newsletter - Shared quarterly
Website - Updated weekly with info from ACEs & RFU
Video Stories of 2-5 minutes - Footage from ACEs
Events – Conferences on Higher Education & Exhibitions, national and regional meetings on education, etc.

6. Communication Strategy Pillars
Annual Reports – To be shared widely
Social media - Facebook & Twitter
Digital Advert – ACEs to place a banner of project website on a leading website in the country
Brochures and briefs for dissemination at events

7. Key Partners & Communication Roles
All stakeholders ACE II ambassadors
RSC & NSC - to foster strategic partnerships, mobilise support for the project
ACEs – Each to implement own communication activities
Heads of institutions – to canvass support & visibility
RFU - coordinate communication activities at the regional level
The World Bank – popularize the project

8. Key Messages
ACE II will enable faculty and students to benefit from improved teaching and research conditions and professional development opportunities
ACE II will strengthen the capacity of the ACEs, improve quality, support benchmarking with other institutions and facilitate regional collaboration
ACE II will enhance labour productivity and skills development

9. Target Audience Internal & External
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Finance
RSC
NSC
Heads of Institutions
ACE Leaders
RFU
World Bank
CHANNELS
, Memos, Letters
Phone calls, Video Conference, Skype, WebEx
Annual meetings
Collaborative web page

10. Communication flow between task teams
SENDER
MESSAGE
RECEIVER
COPY
RESPONSIBLE
ACEs
Inquiry
RFU
WB Country Education Team
Project Coordinator
RFU, WB Country Education Team, VCs
ACE Leaders
NSC
RFU, WB Country Education Team
Chair, NSC
WB ACE II Core Team, WB Country Education Team, Vice Chancellors
Center Leaders
RSC
WB ACE II Core Team
RSC Chair

11. Communication flow between task teams
SENDER
MESSAGE
RECEIVER
COPY
RESPONSIBLE WB
Inquiry
RFU --
RSC
RSC Chair
NSC
RFU, ACE
WB ACE II Core Team, WB Country Education Team
Project Coordinator
ACE
RFU, WB Country Education Team, Vice Chancellors
Center Leaders
WB ACE II Core Team

12. External Communication
EXTERNAL AUDIENCE
- Research & academic institutions
Gov’t ministries
Private Sector
Students & Faculty
Development Partners
Regional Institutions
The media
TOOLS & CHANNELS
Success stories – 400 words
Short videos
Press releases
Brochures
Signpost
Print media. Radio. TV

13. Overall Communication Flow Chart

14. Branding This should be consistent in all web
and print communications.

15. Implementation Annual Work Plan
Communication officers & focal points from ACEs to (Virtually/Video conference) review preceding year’s work plan and develop the next year’s work plan.

16. Evaluating Success Web site traffic hits and online feedback.
Social media followers, likes and comments [Twitter & Facebook]
Attendees at events
Positive & increasing reporting by leading influential media
Demand for information on ACE II
Number of Information, Education and Communication materials produced and distributed to stakeholders
Calls for information and media appearance requests by the media houses

17. Communication risk
Cross country and multi-sectoral project with multiple collaborations and partnerships. Risk of miscommunication is high.
To minimize - regular information sharing by stakeholders through online and face-to- face meetings
Contacts of Project Staff at the RFU and World Bank staff shared in the POM and Communication Strategy.

18. Thank you.
Questions? Comments?