The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has stressed the critical place of a functional relationship between the media industry and academia in the attainment of practical industrial exposure for students in journalism training institutions.
MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo says gaps between training and actual industry work for media graduates in Kenya have impacted the quality of reporting on matters of public interest.
Mr Omwoyo who spoke today when the Media Council of Kenya signed a working pact with Kabarak University in Nakuru County said the Council, through its Africa Media Academy, has developed curricula for training journalists in emerging subjects of interest.
The Memorandum of Understanding provides a framework for the two institutions to collaborate in conducting activities geared towards enhancing training and capacity building of journalism students.
Under the collaboration, the Media Council will partner with Kabarak University’s Department of Mass Communication on among others, developing and providing a current and updated curriculum on climate change, election reporting and child protection among others focusing on public interest. The curriculum will be regularly updated to align with changing market needs.
The Council will also provide Kabarak University journalism students with opportunities for networking and internships under its Industrial Placement Programme.
“To address professional gaps and in our efforts to set standards for professional practice of journalism and training, the Media Council of Kenya has developed a modular curriculum to integrate specialised short courses with mainstream training of media professionals” said Mr Omwoyo.
He revealed that Academy has developed curricula for training journalists in emerging subjects of interest including climate change and food security, health and child protection among others.
Mr Omwoyo said the Council remains committed to mentorship of journalists, saying that it plays a key role in boosting professionalism.
Kabarak University Vice Chancellor Prof Henry Kiplangat said the partnership will boost the institution’s standing as a media training centre of excellence.
“This engagement comes at a time when we are expanding and aligning our media training to market needs and the partnership with the Media Council of Kenya is timely owing to its place as a key stakeholder in media development in Kenya”, said Prof Langat.
He added that the two institutions will leverage each other’s expertise for mutual benefit of the training of journalists and media industry.