69 successfully complete UG/ Ohio University TV workshops

Aug 28, 2009 News

“When that chisel gets too heavy…the rest must pick it up”- Professor Mary Rogus

Students and lecturers at the conclusion of the workshops

Television news, programmes and other productions in Guyana may soon be in for possible overhauling of an international, more professional nature.
On Wednesday last, a cadre of 69 prospective and professional television media operatives committed to forming a network aimed at shining the media light of truth, balance and accountability in Guyana’s developing democracy.
This commitment was made by the participants as they were issued certificates for the successful completion of the first phase of a three-year University of Guyana/ Ohio University Media Development project.
Sessions for the two workshops which were conducted were held at University of Guyana’s Centre for Communication Studies, Turkeyen, and the Little Rock Suites in New Amsterdam, Berbice, through sponsorship from the United States Agency for International Development.
They were supported by the Higher Education for Development and the American Council on Education.
Forty-four (44) persons completed three weeks of sessions aimed at enhancing local capabilities in television production and news gathering, while twenty-five (25) others benefited from a special three-day workshop in Berbice.
Facilitated mostly by Associate Professor Mary Rogus, and Guyana-born Professor Vibert Cambridge, of Ohio University, the workshops focused on theory and ethics; news gathering and interviewing; television news production and presentation.
The other instructors included Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Carolyn Walcott, Terrence Esseboom, Alexis Stephens and Denise Hopkinson.
Dr. Mohamed, Director of the Centre for Communication Studies, reported that save for two Cs, most of the participants gained A and B grades in their examinations.
As such, she noted those who graduated will be awarded credits to further augment their qualifications to pursue studies at the University of Guyana.
Among the presenters at the closing ceremony, Dr Michael Scott Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Guyana encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge and techniques that they were taught. Noting that if they do not, the effort would have been in vain. He advised them to celebrate the collaboration formed, knowing that there is strength and advantage in such.

Kaieteur News Reporter Mondale Smith collects his certificate from Ohio University Professor Mary Rogus.

Graduates Alfred Ramsaran, Naomi Christie, Mondale Smith, Nafeeza Yahya and Calvin Brutus in their student testimonies all agreed that they were fully energised, informed and motivated to face the challenges of creating a united Guyana after completing the intense, practical and theory workshop.
Speaking for the graduates they also pledged to set the agenda for a developing democracy. Further they committed to forming a network to “shine the media light” on all issues, events and personalities fairly, presenting the issues with balance and accountability.
Christie, a second-year Communication Studies student gained the most marks after three tests.
Professor Vibert Cambridge addressing the Guyanese television reality, challenged the graduates to take hold of the local product to make it more professionally produced and more of a commendable Guyanese orientation.
Professor Mary Rogus, meanwhile, dubbed the graduation “a momentary rest in a journey filled with engagement, opening minds to new ideas, honesty about obstacles and determination to overcome them”.
She however warned the students that their journey is far from over and challenged them to daily chip one more piece out of those barriers that stand in their way.
She said too that they should “be there for one another and when that chisel gets too heavy for one I expect the rest of you to pick it up.”
Encouraging the participants to use their tools to “teach, illuminate and inspire” in her parting words Professor Rogus emphasised that “it’s up to you to make sure that Guyanese television is not just lights and wires in a box.”
The next phase of the University of Guyana/ Ohio University ‘Project Phoenix’ workshop is slated for 2010.