Department head Professor Christopher Schmidt awarded diplomas to the twelve International Media Studies (IMS) students during a festive graduation ceremony held in August. They were the first set of students to graduate from the program.

They “were highly motivated and resolute in their approach,” said Schmidt. He also praised the work of the IMS team comprised of staff from DW-AKADEMIE, Bonn University and the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. The dean, Michael Krzeminski, commended the team spirit that prevailed during the two-year period. He was confident the students had learned how to contribute to solving media-related problems in the world.

“Contributing to more freedom of the press”

Oscar Rafael Schlenker from Venezuela is a graduate of the program. He aims to advocate for more press freedom in his country in his role as a journalist or media specialist. “I want the Venezuelan media to become independent, and I’d like to contribute to this process,” he said following the diploma ceremony.

Most IMS graduates have already received job offers. Danh Quy Nguyen has accepted a position as a Digital Manager at an international fashion and lifestyle publishing house in his home country, Vietnam. During the past two years he had learned much regarding future career plans, he said. The most important aspect for him, however, was that he had “developed new friendships”.

Ana Cristina from Brazil is aiming to work in Brazil’s Ministry of Communications. “The Master’s degree is a key step in that direction,” she said.

The start of a new academic cycle

Thirty-one new IMS students began their studies on September 7th and will complete their Master’s degree in Bonn in two years time. They will be officially welcomed during an opening ceremony on October 6th.