our roots

Strides in Communication thro
and the
By Wandia Njoya and Mercy Milanoi
The School of Communication
Language and Performing Arts
is currently the largest school
in Daystar University, with over
2000 students taking different programs
at different levels in communication,
languages and performing arts.
It houses two departments; the
Department of Communication and
the Department of Language and
Performing Arts.
Over the years, the school has
produced outstanding graduates who
have made a huge contribution in
media, teaching and the arts in the
region. To maintain these standards,
the school provides state-of-the-art
facilities to give the students hands
on experience. The school operates
studies in both Nairobi and Athi River
campuses where both communication
and music students record their audio
and visual projects. The school also
supports Involvement, a student run
newspaper, and the Writing and Speech
Centre where students get help from
trained student tutors to improve their
writing and speaking skills. There is also
a radio station, 103.1 Shine FM, which
broadcasts to a radius of 40 kilometres,
and which is managed by the students.
The School recognizes the
importance of keeping up with the
changing times so as to equip the
graduates with relevant skills for the
market. Both departments therefore
foster collaboration with the industry
and the real world in the training of
communicators, teachers and artists.
For instance, the department of
Communication has partnered with
bodies such as the Standard Group,
Royal Media Services, Nation Media
Group and the Public Relations Society
of Kenya. The department is also
conducting empirical research, which
includes interviews with alumni and
employers at different levels of learning
and the market place, in order to keep
the program relevant to market and
social needs.
To provide forums where students
can interact with media professionals,
the school organizes local and
international visits to media houses
with the view of exposing them to
what happens in the media industry.
In March 2015, senior communication
students visited the East African
Community and the International
Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, both in
Arusha. In 2014, the students went to
Europe where they visited international
media houses such as BBC and Reuters.
The next envisaged international trip is
to the Far East.
The Language and Performing
Arts Department has been on a spirited
campaign to network with the outside
world and keep globally updated in its
programs. From January to April this
year, it held a workshop called Creatives
Academy, which brought together
writers, publishers, journalists, film
writers, media personalities and lawyers
to discuss with students and members
of the public the opportunities open
to students interested in writing as
a career. The department has also
been vigorous in keeping ahead in
social media. It was nominated for the
best education blog in the Kenya blog
awards, and is currently mentoring
students as social media interns.
The Language and Performing
Arts department is also very keen on
promoting music in the university.
It recently won the Carnegie African
Diaspora fellowship and hosted Prof
Jean Kidula, professor of Music at
University of Georgia. Prof. Kidula
helped the department conduct
20 • DaystarConnect 2015