Establishment History and Past Engagements

The International Relations and Communication(IRC) Office of SMU, before taking its current name and status/roles and responsibilities, had different names and statuses. It was called Public Relations Office at the beginning and got different names at different times. It was initiated in 2002 as a Public Relations Office, under SMC, to undertake very limited activities that included: preparing publications (Newsletter, calendar, executive diary and best wish cards), working with local media, facilitating voluntary activities, inviting public speakers to share their experiences to students, representing the College in press conferences, and participate in education related external meetings. With its upgrading to the External Relation Office in 2006, this time under SMUC, the roles and responsibilities of the Office expanded to initiating and maintaining programs designed to strengthen public understanding and support of St. Mary’s missions of teaching and learning, research and community services; keeping the University College’s community and the external public informed through publications; initiating and supporting visitors’ services, community, organizational and institutional relations; initiating and facilitating various events; attending external meetings and events; keeping documentations; preparing summary reports to the president and making policy consultations with the president and the administration. Its name changed to Information and Communication Office, under SMU, at the restructuring made in 2010. It was in 2013 that the Office got its current name and status.

Areas of Responsibilities

With an ever increasing number of local, national and international stakeholders and partners, the International Relations and Communication(IRC) Office of St. Mary’s University wishes to build and maintain effective internal and external relationships to help the University meet its objectives and hence its mission and vision.

The IRC Office serves as a marketing platform and a channel of information on the activities of the University to the rest of the world. It is accountable to the President of the university and is responsible for:

Marketing, communication and public relations services:

      • Promote the University’s image, ensure its visibility and access to its quality services. These include serving as a major office for public media representation, acting as a press representative, and management of sponsorships and channel of communication to internal customers.

International Relations that includes:

      • Facilitating links with local and foreign institutions.
      • Seeking and availing academic and other related information for faculties and students to maximize benefit from international opportunities.

Publications:

      • Coordinating the preparation, publication and dissemination of the SMU in Stride News letter, and follow up printing and undertake distribution of other University’s publications and collect feedbacks for improvement. Some of the publications among many  in category are:-
          • Annual Publications such as: proceedings of international conferences on private higher education, annual multidisciplinary seminars, CODL Seminars, annual student research forums, prospectus, book of profile, handbooks;
          • Hybrid publications that include: Quality Matters, Assessment in Focus, and the Teacher;
          • Journals: Mizan law Review, Journal of Business and Administrative Services(JBAS), Journal of Agriculture and Development(JAD); and
          • Quarterly newsletters like SMU in Stride prepared both in English and Amharic.

Website and social media administration:

      • Edit content, post and authorize posting and upload of information and data, and follow up on timely posting and update of such.

Event management and documentation:

      • Manage and document events that include graduation ceremonies, campus and other external events, documenting those events through variety of media.

Planning and conducting marketing and public opinion research for improved performance of the University.

The IRC office considers its role to be critical in managing both internal and external relations in a coherent and collaborative manner in order to grasp opportunities that will contribute to both the University’s profile and reputation.

Contact us at: International Relations and Communication (IRC) Office

Tel: 011 558 06 16

Fax: 251-011- 58 05 59

E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

P.O. Box: 1211 /18490

Addis Ababa