The Director, of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Stephen Odebero who was representing Prof. Mutai applauded Dr. Schellpeper’s visit to the University and DW Akademie for their incessant support to 103.9 MMUST FM. He noted that the top-notch training offered at the Akademie leads to high competition in the media industry and encouraged them to continue training MMUST’s journalism students.
“We are delighted to have you at MMUST and I believe this collaboration will remain fruitful for the University. Our MMUST FM presenters have enormous talents, especially in Swahili presentation and we look forward to supporting them,” stated Prof. Odebero.
Dr. Almuth Schellpeper explains a point.
According to Dr. Schellpeper, the Akademie is focused on training young people to become professional journalists. She urged young journalists to join the DW Akademie alumni group to network in various areas of expertise. She hinted that she focuses on media development research and is interested in joint research with MMUST scholars.
“I am grateful for your warm welcome to the University. I engage in consulting media viability and supporting journalists at different media stations. This has led to tremendous growth in media viewership. We are going to make MMUST FM better together,” she assured.
A section of MMUST staff at the event
Speaking during the visit, the Ag. Dean, School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Prof. Stanley Omuterema who was representing the Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Peter Bukhala, reiterated that indeed, DW has done an incredible job in media development. He commended the role of media as the watchdog the society and advocated for assisting media in bringing out issues of human conflict like food security. In addition, Prof. Omuterema advised the use of media to champion indigenous knowledge.
The Director, of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Dr. Lydia Anyonje stated that through this collaboration, the MMUST FM staff and students practicing Journalism are achieving top-notch training that puts the station among the best in the region. She challenged the MMUST FM presenters to utilize DW for greater opportunities.
From left; Dr. Schellpeper, MMUST FM studio supervisor, Ms. Lilian Mukoche, and MMUST FM Technical Supervisor, Ms. Marvin Wangatia listening keenly to the discussions.
Expressing gratitude and excitement to DW Akademie, Ms. Mukoche, and the MMUST FM Technical Supervisor, Ms. Marvin Wangatia emphasized DW’s support to MMUST FM through equipment donation. They pointed out that the two media stations have worked jointly in fundamental areas including; consultancy and capacity building in stages of programming, media viability, human resource development, in-house training, networking, and media collaboration which has led to a consortium.
Concurring with other scholars present, Journalism and Mass Communication Lecturer, Mr. Tom Ouko acknowledged the contribution of DW through donations and shaping the skills of our students in preparing them for the dynamic job market.
Dr. Schellpeper had a discussion with student presenters during the interactive session.
Dr. Schellpeper held an interactive session with MMUST FM student presenters led by the Journalism Students Association (JOSA) chairman, Mr. Clarence Majani. The topics of discussion were based on key areas affecting society including Job Creation, Climate Change, Youth and Governance, Gender Based Violence, Women and Community Development as well as relationships.
Also present during the interactive session, 103.9 MMUST FM renowned listener, Mr. Dackitari Franco Washinyalu Bar expressed his love for the entertaining programs of MMUST FM.
Certainly, strengthening the collaboration and linkages between MMUST FM and DW Akademie is a sign of good things to happen in media development and research at the University.
By Verna Awuor
Photos by Linet Owuor
