PR body promises internships

A student chapter of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) was launched in July by the organisation’s local branch. The student chapter incorporates PR students from both the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the new University of Science and Technology (NUST).
The launch was held at the UNAM campus in Windhoek. PRISA membership is open to all public relations students.
The chapter was introduced by the PRISA Namibia Chair-elect Mrs Ilke Platt-Akwenye and newly elected Chairperson, Mr Rhingo Mutambo. The two PR practitioners were welcomed by over 30, third and fourth year Public Relations students. The session served as a platform to inform students about the activities of PRISA Namibia and how they can benefit by becoming members.
On behalf of PRISA Namibia, Platt-Akwenye and Mutambo committed the profession to take in ten new interns who will then have the opportunity to gain experience from PRISA committee members.
They will be exposed to real-world PR activities, which will complement the skills that they have acquired during their formal education. The students applauded PRISA for the new internships as they often find it difficult to find placement.
Eveline Indongo, a fourth year Public Relations student at UNAM, expressed her gratitude for being chosen as one of the interns. “This is a brilliant opportunity for me to learn from professionals and experienced individuals in our field“ she beamed.
Platt-Akwenye said UNAM is only the first institution which PRISA would like to engage with noting that the PR students at NUST have also been engaged. “We rely on the support from institutions to avail their students and remind them that their commitment is essential. [When] students are given an opportunity it is equally important for them to utilize such platforms wisely,” she said.