Marking the 50th anniversary of the Daily Nation, Mawlana Hazar Imam announces a new journalism school to be situated in East Africa
Also see related coverage, video, photographs and speech at the AKDN website, and more information at the Pan-African Media Conference website.
Mawlana Hazar Imam delivering the Founder’s Address at the Pan-Africa Media conference, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Nation Media Group. Photo: AKDN/Gary Otte
Nairobi, 18 March 2010 — Mawlana Hazar Imam announced the establishment of a new Graduate School of Media and Communications today, which will be part of the Aga Khan University (AKU) in East Africa.
The University is undergoing a major expansion in the region, and the School will be an integral component of East Africa’s first regional university. AKU is establishing a new purpose-built principal campus in Arusha, Tanzania, with additional campuses in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
The School — whose initial campus will be situated in Nairobi — will aim to foster a critical mass of diverse, media leaders, enterprises and institutions distinguished by the highest standards of competence, ethics, professionalism and social responsibility. It is anticipated that the School will be formally launched in 2011, although some of its activities may begin later this year.
Hazar Imam made the announcement as part of his address at the inaugural Pan-Africa Media Conference, which marks the 50th Anniversary of the Nation Media Group. The two-day conference is being held in Nairobi, and was officially opened by His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya. Attendees include Their Excellencies President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique and the inaugural winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for African Leadership in 2007, Benjamin Mkapa, former President of Tanzania, Professor Wangari Maathai, Kenyan Environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, as well as a number of renowned media organisations and interested groups from across Africa.
Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya listen to a session on how Africa has been shaped by its image in the media, together with Ismaili Council for Kenya Vice-President Anwar Hajee. Photo: Aziz Islamshah
Named for its flagship newspaper the Daily Nation, the Nation Media Group was established by Mawlana Hazar Imam in 1960. Together with its Kiswahili counterpart Taifa Leo, the Nation provided a civic voice in the years leading up to Kenya’s independence. The Nation Group has since expanded from print into radio, television and digital media, and has spread its influence beyond Kenya’s borders. Today, it continues to be a leading voice in Kenya, as well as throughout the East African region.
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Nairobi two days ago, and is accompanied by Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya.
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