Eldoret Media Hub, ECPS College Sign Partnership to Strengthen Practical Training for Journalism and Media Students
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will allow ECPS students to undertake structured industrial attachment, internship, and professional mentorship at the Eldoret Media Hub—one of the regional media hubs established by the Media Council of Kenya
The leadership team holds copies of the signed Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the partnership between Eldoret College of Professional Studies and the Eldoret Media Hub. Pictured from left are James Gitaka.Michael Nyankuru and Joseph Mecha from the Media Council of Kenya.
The Uasin Gishu Journalists Association (UGJA), which manages the Eldoret Media Hub, has entered into a strategic partnership with Eldoret College of Professional Studies (ECPS) aimed at strengthening practical training and mentorship for students pursuing media and communication-related courses.
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will allow ECPS students to undertake structured industrial attachment, internship, and professional mentorship at the Eldoret Media Hub—one of the regional media hubs established by the Media Council of Kenya to promote professional journalism, media innovation, and digital skills development.
The collaboration is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom instruction and practical industry experience by exposing students to real newsroom environments and modern media production tools.
Under the agreement, students pursuing programs such as Journalism and Mass Communication, Radio and TV Production, Graphic Design, Digital Media and Content Creation, ICT Support and Networking, Computer Applications, Photography, and Videography will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the hub.
Through the program, the Eldoret Media Hub will provide mentorship, supervision, and orientation on professional journalism standards while facilitating access to available equipment and workspaces for learning and production. The hub will also collaborate with ECPS in assessing students’ performance during their attachment period.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Joseph Mecha, the Media Council of Kenya Coordinator for the North Rift region, welcomed the partnership and described it as a key step toward strengthening the professionalism of upcoming journalists.
“Partnerships such as this are important in building strong media institutions and preparing students for the realities of the newsroom. By providing practical exposure, students are better equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the modern media industry,” Mecha said.
UGJA Chairperson James Gitaka, who led the association’s leadership during the signing ceremony, said the collaboration would significantly contribute to mentorship and skills transfer for aspiring journalists.
Gitaka was accompanied by members of the association’s office leadership, including Vice Chairperson Edmond Kipng’eno, Secretary Naomi Cheruiyot, Treasurer Elvis Wasike, and other members of the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association.
He noted that structured engagement between media professionals and academic institutions is essential in nurturing competent and ethical journalists.
“With the evolving nature of the media landscape, young journalists today require more than theoretical knowledge. Through the Eldoret Media Hub, students will have an opportunity to learn directly from experienced journalists, gaining mentorship and day-to-day newsroom skills that prepare them for professional practice,” Gitaka said.
He added that the partnership reflects the association’s commitment to promoting professional journalism and strengthening media training within the region.
“Our goal as the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association is to ensure that upcoming journalists are well prepared for the demands of the industry. By opening the Media Hub to students, we are creating a platform where they can develop practical skills, learn ethical reporting standards, and interact with career journalists,” he added.
On his part, the Principal and Director of Eldoret College of Professional Studies, Michael Nyankuru, described the partnership as a critical component of modern learning that emphasizes hands-on training.
“This partnership is crucial for the learning process because the new curriculum strongly emphasizes practical skills and industry exposure. Our students will benefit greatly from working in a professional media environment where they can apply what they learn in class,” Nyankuru said.
He added that collaboration with industry stakeholders such as the Eldoret Media Hub ensures students graduate with both academic knowledge and practical competence.
The MoU outlines several obligations for both parties. The Media Hub will facilitate training, mentorship, supervision, and evaluation of students during their placement, while ECPS will retain responsibility for curriculum development, academic standards, student deployment, and ensuring students adhere to professional conduct during their attachment.
Students placed at the hub will not be considered employees but trainees undertaking practical learning as part of their academic programs.
The Eldoret Media Hub continues to play a critical role in advancing journalism and media development in the North Rift region by providing training opportunities, collaborative workspaces, and digital media support for journalists and upcoming media professionals.
The new partnership with ECPS is expected to further strengthen journalism training while creating a pipeline of skilled media practitioners capable of adapting to the rapidly evolving digital media landscape.
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