- The Rongo University Writers Club has marked five years since its founding in 2021, hosting a mentorship workshop bringing together students, alumni and media professionals.
- Club patron Dr Marren Akong’o has encouraged students to embrace hands-on learning and responsible use of AI while maintaining professional writing values.
- The event has drawn participation from secondary schools, university management and partner organisations such as Africa Check, reinforcing the club’s role in nurturing young writers.
The Rongo University Writers Club has been in existence for the past five years, and this workshop gathered continuing students and former students, media practitioners, university management and secondary school students for a mentorship programme at the university.
The club was set up in 2021 to provide an opportunity for students to practise their writing outside the classroom and meet others who work in media and communication.
Speaking during the event, club patron Dr Marren Akong’o said the idea of forming the club was born after she realised that learners needed extra time to practise the skills they learn during class. Since then, she added, the club has expanded to include other creative outlets such as journalism, poetry, graphic design, social media, drama and music. Some of the members have gone on to write articles and books for publication, some have launched their own social media channels, while others have entered the creative and media industry, according to Dr Akong’o.
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She urged students to learn by doing and working together. “Learning by doing is the best way to learn,” she said, explaining that students simply won’t be able to make substantial progress on their own.
Dr Akong’o also addressed the changing media landscape of the future, particularly the rise of Artificial Intelligence. She encouraged students to learn how to use the technology without losing sight of professional values, including authentic work, fact-checking and responsible reporting. She also encouraged the high school students attending the event to begin planning their careers from a young age and prepare themselves for opportunities before entering university.
Also speaking at the launch, Dr Millicent Otieno observed that the Writers Club had provided a platform for learners to discover their own voice and use the art of writing to explore society. She expressed appreciation to the alumni for coming back to their alma mater to talk to students.
The event also attracted former members of the club now working in various sectors of media and communication. Magonya Silas, the Registrar for Planning, Administration and Human Resource at Rongo University, represented the management and welcomed the graduates, who were later joined by other guests. “This alumni return is definitely a reminder to our current students that whatever skills the university imparts to them can be the foundation for their future careers,” he said.
The programme also drew partner institutions and colleagues outside the university, such as Africa Check. The university library was represented by University Librarian Dr Joel Nakitare, who urged aspirants to cultivate a reading culture, saying that reading is closely tied to writing. “If you want to write, you read,” he said, urging the students to bring books into their lives on a daily basis.
Journalist and editor Lynet Otieno, who was the keynote speaker at the workshop, urged students to grab available opportunities, be authentic and build a portfolio that could help them sell their skills to prospective clients and employers.
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The secondary schools represented included Didi Girls High School, Kanga High School, Kanyawanga High School, and others.
Rongo University Writers Club continues to work toward expanding its efforts to empower upcoming writers and help students gain access to professionals in the media and communication industry.
By Tonny Kyule
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