Attachment Report for the Attachment period of October December 2011 at

Egerton University Nakuru Town Campus, Electronic Media Studio.

The Campus is located along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, P.O Box 13357 Nakuru.

PREPARED BY:
JOSEPH WAMBUGU GITHINJI
AP16/30512/09
P.O BOX 634, ELDAMA RAVINE

FOR:
THE DEPARTMENT OF LITERATURE, LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS
P.O BOX 536, EGERTON

ABSTRACT
This is a report of my work experience at the Electronic Media Studio of Egerton Universitys
Nakuru Town campus. This report contains a detailed description of the host institutions
structure, its vision, mission, core values and functions. It contains my t experience, activities,
challenges and recommendations. It also contains my individual future plans and my attachment
contributed to my training and career development.

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INTRODUCTION
Egerton University is one of Kenyas foremost public institutions of higher learning. It caters to
students from various parts of the country in its regular and self-sponsored programs. The
university operates under the following vision, mission and core values.
Vision
A world class university for the advancement of humanity
Mission
To generate and disseminate significant knowledge and offer exemplary education that
contributes to national and global development.
Core Values
Passion for excellence and devotion to duty, integrity, transparency and accountability, social
fairness and professionalism
The mandate of the University as provided by the Egerton University Act of 1987 (Chapter 214
of the laws of Kenya) includes:

Teaching
Discovery, transmission, and preservation of knowledge
Corporate social responsibility
Promotion of social fairness in all matters affecting students and staff
Cooperation with Government in the planned development of university education
Advisory and consultancy services.

The goal of this service charter is to emphasize the universitys commitment to provision of the
highest quality of services and products possible and highlight its core activities, values, set
standards, client expectations, avenues for filling grievances and its obligation to clients.
The universitys main campus is in Njoro, with other campuses in Nakuru Town, Kenyatta and
Nairobi City Campus. It has three constituent colleges; Kisii University College, Chuka
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University College and Laikipia University College.. Egerton University is set-up in various
faculties including health sciences; agriculture; arts and social sciences; education; science;
engineering and technology and commerce.

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ORGANIZATIONAL SETUP
University Administration Structure
University Council
The University Council consists of: Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Honorary Treasurer, all of
whom are appointed by the Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors,
Principals of campus colleges, the Permanent Secretaries in the ministries of Education, Finance,
Agriculture, and Directorate of Personnel Management. Eight members appointed by the
Chancellor, two persons appointed by the Alumni Association, three Senate representatives, two
student representatives and two co-opted members.
Functions:
The University Council, as the governing body of the university, through the Egerton University
Act 1987;

Shall administer the property and funds of the university in a manner and purposes which
shall promote the best interests of the university but the Council shall not charge or

dispose of immovable property of the university without prior approval of the Chancellor.
Shall provide for the welfare of staff and students in the university.
May, after consultation with the Senate make regulations governing the conduct and
discipline of students of the university.

University Senate
The Senate consists of the following:

Vice-Chancellor Chairman
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Principals of Campus Colleges and University Colleges
Pull Professors
Directors
Dean of Faculties
Dean of Students
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University Librarian
Faculty Representatives
Student Representatives
Registrar (Academic Affairs)
Registrar (Administration)
Finance Officer

Chief Officers of the University

The Chancellor
Chairman of the Council
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Extensions)
Registrar (Academic Affairs)
Registrar (Administration)
University Librarian
Dean of Students
Finance Officer

Section attached to
The electronic media studio, to which I was attached, falls under the faculty of arts and social
sciences. It specifically caters to students undertaking a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Communication and Media at the Nakuru Town Campus. Activities at the studio include

Audio production
Video production
Photo
editing

using

Adobe

Photoshop

Video shooting
Video Editing using Pinnacle 15.0
Audio recording and editing using
Adobe Audition 3.0

MAIN BODY OF THE REPORT

The electronic media studio is a single independent entity within the faculty of arts and social
sciences and caters specifically to communication and media students. The studio is run by
Senior Technologist Mr. Manoah Mukhwana, who was also my supervisor.
Role of the Electronic Media Studio
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a) The studio is important to the university as it is essential for communication and media
students to learn their trade in an environment that involves their course undertakings.
b) It plays a very important role in ensuring that Egerton University is recognized as one of
the premier learning institutions as far as BA (Communication & Media) goes.
c) The studio also gives students to express their talents as far as media production goes in
an unrestricted and conducive environment.
d) Students also get an opportunity to record demos in the studio to add to their portfolios.
e) The electronic media studio is also used for learning and demonstration purposes, as
recording and editing equipment are available.
Working in the electronic media studio was a great and enlightening experience for me. I felt
very much involved in every activity in the studio.
Video production
The process of video production begins from video shooting, then capturing, editing and finally
rendering. I was able to use different types of cameras for both video and still pictures. The
videos would then be captured to the computer for editing. Pinnacle Studio 15.0 is the main
program that is being used for editing. The edited videos would then be rendered into movies
which would be either burned into DVDs or just saved in the computer. Some of the videos I
edited included Nairobi-Magadi trip by students in Third year and school functions like the Big
Debate during the student union election campaign.
Audio production
The electronic media studio provided a great learning base for me as far as my training in media
communications goes. I learnt how to record and edit audio tracks on the Adobe Audition 3.0. I
was able to add sound effects and cutting out unwanted parts. I recorded and edited voice-overs,
jingles, mid-cues and sample news programs. I also gained great knowledge from older students
who had already been on attachment on how to go about editing to meet deadlines.
Graphic design
The main program used in graphic design is Adobe Photoshop 7.5 program. I was able to edit
various still pictures for the institution and other students who needed them like those who were

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vying for the various seats in the student union election. I was also able to design posters and
cards for some of the aspirants.
Other tasks that I undertook include:

Demonstration of studio operations in the absence of Mr. Mukhwana. First and second
year students werent particularly familiar with studio equipment and how to operate
them. Whenever they came to the studio for class in the absence of Mr. Mukhwana, it was
up to me to show them how to set up and use studio equipment. I would also teach them
on video and audio editing. This was a junior teaching role that I relished as it helped

me polish up on people skills as well as communication skills.

Ensuring all studio equipment was in good working condition before they were used for
any activities outside of the studio. I was responsible for making checklists to ensure that
everything that went out came back and also in the same condition that they left in.

Possibly the most important thing I learnt while attached to the Electronic media studio is
responsibility. My supervisor entrusted me with a lot of trust and I tried my utmost to ensure that
never at any moment did I betray that trust. As a result, I built up my leadership potential as well
as my communication skills that I am certain will go a long way in ensuring that I prosper as a
media communications professional.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
I thoroughly enjoyed my attachment at the electronic media studio but there were some
frustrating moments as well that I think Egerton University could do well to improve. Though
the shortcomings were not glaring, I believe that my attachment would have been more
productive had the following been made available.
i.

The electronic media studio should be well equipped with fast computers with high disk
space. There was only one operational computer available for editing and another one
that couldnt handle the bulk of the editing work. This therefore constrained editing effort
as there was only one dependable computer whose disk space as well is almost running

ii.

out.
The studio requires more cameras to make video recording easier and of a more
professional level as opposed to the quality that the electronic media studio can currently
produce. There was only one functional camera and we therefore had to depend on
cameras lent out to us by students. The university administration would be well advised

iii.

to acquire at least four more cameras to equip the studio.

Though I learnt how to set up studio equipment during a recording session, the university
should as well move fast in setting up Egerton University radio station and start
broadcasting. This would help improve the quality of media and communications

iv.

curriculum as well as exposing students to a professional working environment.

The major activity done in the studio is video production. Since there are plans to start a
radio station, I suggest that more attention be given to audio productions.

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CONCLUSION
Since I joined the media program at Egerton University, Ive had the desire to be the best I can
be at whatever I do. I have an ambition to become a sports radio presenter at one of the major
stations in the country. My attachment at Egerton University helped me to build on a lot of skills
that I believe are necessary for my career path.
Working under Senior Technologist Mr. Manoah Mukhwana was the best experience. He was
very helpful in guiding me through the various activities in the Media Studio.
As well as learning much about recording and post production, the attachment helped me build
on responsibility, leadership, organization, trust and most of all, the willingness to learn new
things.
I sincerely thank Egerton University, the Electronic media studio and Mr. Manoah Mukhwana
for affording me the opportunity to complete my attachment.

APPENDIX

I have attached a DVD containing:

o The Nairobi-Magadi trip- I was part of the editors and my name can be seen in the
credits.
o The Big Debate film- I was part of the editors.
o Sample audio that I was able to record.
Sample scripts that I wrote.
A sample of a poster that I designed.

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