mcsa annual report - Waikato Management School - The University ...

PRSA Accreditation
09A semester will be remembered as a challenging and exciting time for MSCA members and
WMS - MCOM faculty: we were all scrutinized by two senior delegates from the world leading public
relations association – the PRSA. In order to be certified as a programme meeting the educational
standards of PRSA, the rigorous evaluation process included a visit of Waikato at the end of March by Mr.
John Paluszek and Dr Barbara DeSanto from the U.S. Fortunately, all went well. In their final report the
reviewers described their impressions from MCSA members with whom they spoke after the Maori powhiri
welcome, in personal meetings with board members, in a group meeting and then in a farewell lunch at the
Performing Art Centre. They mentioned the high level of academic knowledge demonstrated by the
students as well as the opportunities for exposure to the public relations industry. The report noted MCSA's
affiliation with PRiNZ and said it was well-grounded with regard to PR practice and practitioners.
Kylie Nichol who led MCSA throughout the certification process, all board members and students who were
involved in the process deserve special mention and credit for the successful ending. In the November
2009 PRSA conference Waikato University will receive PRSA certification and become only the 3rd
university outside the U.S. to have won this prestigious recognition.
PRSA certification opens new doors for MCSA members as well as for all MCOM students and graduates.
PRSA's affiliated organisation – the PRSSA (the Public Relations Students Society of America)
representing 10,000 members, has expressed an interest in establishing relationships with Waikato
students.
MCSA is already preparing a " country profile"
for their global PR students'
website http://
www.
prssa.
org/
prsic/
. The opportunities for mutual enrichment in joint projects with PR students around the
world are limitless.
PRSA certification will also add a valuable asset to the CV of any MCOM graduate while job hunting in New
Zealand and anywhere in the world. Potential employers will recognize MCOM graduate quality and
practice-relevant education as an advantage.
MCSA's success sets a challenge for further successful projects. If you will take advantage of the PRSA
certification momentum, you will be able to develop global relationships with future practitioners and
colleagues and from there – the sky is your limit. Go for it.
Thank you
Margalit Toledano
MCSA involvement was a valuable asset for MCOM
certification by the PRSA, the Public Relations
Society of America.
Margalit Toledano, Faculty Mentor for MCSA
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