CERCOM is a university center of the National University of Ivory Coast (NUIC) and was created in 1988 by law decree 88-586, replacing CERAV (Center d’Enseignement et de Recherche Audio-visuel) founded in 1969. CERCOM is a public institution, staffed primarily by civil servants. The mission of CERCOM is to

• Direct basic and applied research in communication science.
• Assure basic and continuing education in communication science.
• Provide an audio-visual center to the university.
• Conduct research with the intent to improve teaching with the use of audio-visual methods.

CERCOM is the only center in the region that provides both teaching and research in communication. In addition, CERCOM is also involved in production of communication materials; the organization maintains a national and international perspective.

CERCOM involves itself in many research programs which revolve around the topics of communication and development, communication and teaching, communication languages and techniques, the ethnology of communication, and communication and organizations. In addition, CERCOM undertakes specific research activities at the request of various national and international agencies such as UNESCO, Ministries of Health and Social Affairs, the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP), and USAID.

CERCOM produces a wide range of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials for the university as well as interested parties outside the university. These materials vary from print media (logos, brochures, posters) to film, video, and radio production. CERCOM also provides a variety of services such as technical assistance in communication, audio-visual equipment loans to other departments within the university, and videotaping of special university events.

The SFPS Project through the IEC component (SFPS/IEC) plans to support CERCOM becoming a center of excellence for the development and production of IEC materials in the West and Central African region. Collaboration in the past year has brought important international experience and exposure to CERCOM. In the future, SFPS/IEC will focus on decreasing the supervision and technical input to the materials development process, offering CERCOM greater independence. Areas for growth include: the conceptualization of new materials (as opposed to previous years’ adaptions), the pretesting of materials on an international scope, the management of printing contracts and the distribution of new materials to the SFPS project country partners, and the development and integration of IEC materials into a training program to improve communication at the clinic site (a first for CERCOM). In the coming year, the SFPS project will assist CERCOM to publish and present its experiences in conferences and publications. This will enhance CERCOM’s reputation as a research and materials production expert.

Contact Information:

Centre d'Enseignement et de Recherche en Communication (CERCOM)
Universite Nationale d' Abidjan
B.P. V 34
Abidjan, Cote d' Ivoire

Phone:(225) 44.30.31 or 44.35.31
Fax: 225.44.14.07

Director: Dr. Regina Traore Serie

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