Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has elevated Dike Harcourt Whyte to the rank of Professor, making him the institution’s first Professor of Strategic and Corporate Communication.
The elevation marks a significant milestone in Professor Whyte’s academic career and represents a major development in the advancement of Strategic and Corporate Communication as a specialised field of study at the university.
In an interview with our correspondent in Port Harcourt on Friday, October 9, 2026, Professor Whyte described his elevation as a call to greater responsibility, expressing his commitment to academic excellence, student development and the promotion of strategic communication.
He said the achievement would motivate him to expand his influence beyond the university environment and contribute more to the development of communication practice and scholarship.
“I feel happy. For every lecturer who is putting in their best, this is what they expect. Each and every one of us is working hard towards becoming a professor someday.
“I will continue to do my best. At this point, I am looking at how we can influence more people because it is not just about the university. We also have to represent the university outside this place,” he said.
According to him, becoming a professor comes with expectations that extend beyond academic qualifications, noting that he hoped to live up to the responsibilities associated with the position.
On the importance of Strategic and Corporate Communication, Professor Whyte said the discipline was essential to individuals, organisations and institutions, stressing that effective communication required more than constant speaking.
He explained that strategic communication also involved knowing when to remain silent, describing the concept as “strategic silence.”
“Strategic communication is something everybody needs, and every organisation needs it. Sometimes, when people hear strategic communication, they think it means they must communicate or speak all the time.
“But sometimes, you also have what we call strategic silence. We need to understand how to bring these elements together,” he said.
Professor Whyte said he would continue to equip students with the knowledge and practical understanding of Strategic and Corporate Communication, including their application in organisational management and reputation building.
He also emphasised the need for lecturers to adopt student-centred teaching methods, urging academics to understand their students’ perspectives to improve learning outcomes.
According to him, lecturers must encourage students, help them understand the purpose of their university education and impart knowledge in ways that make learning accessible.
“As a professor, you need to put in your best. First and foremost, you need to encourage your students and make them understand why they are in the university.
“You must put yourself in their shoes because if you judge them by what you already know, nobody will learn anything from you. You need to bring yourself down to their level and make them understand,” he said.
Quoting a fundamental principle of communication, he added: “In communication, if the message sent is not the message received, then communication has not taken place.”
The new professor expressed appreciation to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, his colleagues in the department and faculty, and the wider university community for their support throughout his academic journey.
He noted that attaining professorial status in the university system required sustained academic work, particularly research and publications.
“In the university, we say you either publish or perish. If you do not publish, it becomes a problem. My colleagues have supported me, and I thank them for standing by me throughout this journey,” he said.
Professor Whyte also acknowledged his students, describing them as a major source of motivation in his daily academic activities.
He said their role in his academic journey remained invaluable, adding that he was grateful for their contributions to his growth and continued commitment to teaching.
His promotion recognises his years of academic engagement, professional dedication and contributions to communication scholarship.
