CAIRO: The German University in Cairo (GUC) unveiled its new state-of-the-art campus radio and television center Tuesday. The center was inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education Dr. Hani Helal, the German Ambassador to Egypt Bernd Erbel, the university's Founder Ashraf Mansour, representatives from Deutsche Welle and the Fraunhofer Institute - the bodies that provided the facility's equipment - and many university and government officials. Running since September, the station's television and radio channels are operated by over 30 students as well as a number of full-time university staff, many of whom received intensive broadcast training in Germany with Deutsche Welle. The station's aims, according to its founders, are to both provide students with a wide range of media skills and experience, and become a research institution that offers valuable media and training services. Currently the campus' radio and television channels broadcast university news and interviews with high-profile guests and celebrities visiting the GUC, as well as information about events in Cairo. Wider coverage is planned for the future. Following the inauguration, Ashraf Mansour told Daily News Egypt of his delight at the opening of the station, especially so soon after the university was founded in 2002. Mansour said he was confident the station would become a valuable addition to Egypt's growing independent media, and produce highly-skilled digital journalists and broadcasters. "That has been our mission since the beginning, he said. Safa Al-Motasem, 25, a graduate of mass communications at the American University in Cairo, is media affairs coordinator at the GUC, and was one of four individuals who received training with Deutsche Welle in Germany. She is currently working with students at the station, supervising their activities, and assisting with tasks like news writing and programme scheduling. "So far we are mostly covering campus news, but we will be expanding to cover wider issues in the near future, she told Daily News Egypt. Although those working at the station are primarily studying in the area of communications, other students are encouraged to join in, and many, like engineering students, are required for their technical skills. "Anyone can get involved, she said. "There is a lot of work, but we are all enjoying it very much.
