Koketso Rabanye
02 Oct 2024
North-West University (NWU) celebrated a milestone in communication education yesterday with the successful hosting of the School of Communication Industry Summit that took place on the 2nd of October 2024, an event that connected students across all three campuses—Vaal, Potchefstroom, and Mahikeng. The summit featured a special focus on the Mahikeng campus, which was honoured for its distinguished specialisation in broadcasting, media, and journalism.
Industry professionals from the communication field, branding, multimedia, corporate communication, strategic communication broadcast media and journalism gathered to share their expertise with NWU students, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the communication industry.
The summit, held across the three campuses, was attended by students from first year to honours level, oSering them an opportunity to engage with leading figures in the field.
At the Mahikeng campus, the spotlight was on the school's broadcasting, media, and journalism programs, which have consistently produced graduates with strong practical skills in these areas. Special guests, namely, Mr. Malebo Phage, Founder of Xpose Digicontent and Training Hub, Mr. Solly Magalefa presenter and producer at SABC News and Ms. Marietta Lombard, Editor-in-Chief at Caxton Greater Johannesburg, delivered talks and participated in panel discussions, where they emphasised the importance of adaptability and innovation in the fast-paced world of communication.
Students from all levels had the opportunity to interact directly with these industry professionals, gaining firsthand knowledge about current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of media and journalism. Attendees also learned about the real-world skills necessary to succeed in broadcasting, from content production to journalistic integrity in news reporting.
“Convergence is changing our world, we see it every day, gone are the days where we have to wait for certain time for a programme to air, we have everything available on our smart devices- welcome to the era of convergence,” added Mr Phage, who shared insights on how journalism and broadcasting is adapting to the digital age.
The summit's cross-campus format allowed students from Vaal and Potchefstroom to benefit from the event’s industry expertise, while the Mahikeng campus was singled out for its strong emphasis on practical experience and industry readiness, particularly in broadcasting and media studies.
NWU’s School of Communication continues to prioritise industry engagement, ensuring that students are equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This summit represents the university’s commitment to fostering relationships between students and the media industry, helping to bridge the gap between academic study and professional careers.
The School of Communication Industry Summit concluded with students expressing excitement about their future careers, inspired by the real-world advice and stories shared by industry veterans.