Many of the participants continue to collaborate on professional journals, research opportunities and conferences. They have also been able to advance their careers with the research and knowledge they gained at the institute.
Ms. Oksana Pochapska now has a scientific level of Candidate of Sciences in Social Communications, which is a degree that is a MA/ PhD equivalent.
Mr. Vlastimil Necas, Czech Republic, is a PhD fellow and lecturer at the Charles University in Prague, in the Department of Media Studies. He relays in an email that after having access to articles and doing research in the University of Florida library he was able to publish an article in a Nepalese journal. The connections he made at the summer institute and the research he did has enabled him to reach a broader, international audience. His article appears here.
Le Trieu Thanh, Vietnam, published her article in the same Nepalese journal, through the connection made at the institute. Her article, Representation of Vietnam in 2006: A comparative Study between Western and Local Media, appears here.
Ronny Mustamu, Indonesia, was instrumental in setting up the international conference in Bali in May 2009, a project he was inspired to be a part of after his time at the institute. The conference is titled “Media in a Fast Changing World.” Two alumni of the Institute on Journalism and Media will be joining him - Saleem Abbas (’08) of Pakistan as well as Pushpendra Pal Singh (’07) of India.
Most participants keep up with each other through the social networking tool, Facebook. Through this media they continue to maintain the professional and personal relationships developed here at the institute.
The following exchanges during the 2008 New Year Season help illustrate the closeness and importance of the bonds that were formed.
Dearest friends,
Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to you all!
May this year be the best of all years in the past, and followed by even happier and brighter years to come!Thank you, Adolf, for your seasons’ greetings note!(I miss you all the time, and so much that I often go to your facebook pages and look at your pictures and lives to feel we are together again:)
Love, kisses, hugs, Maia
Maia Mikashavidz
Georgia
Lauren and dear friends
The memories of our six weeks programme still live on, although we are physically thousands of miles apart. I do hope each one of you is well, and your families.This is to wish you a serene festive season and a very happy and
fruitful 2009. Hope we can chance to meet again in the new year!
Let’s keep in touch
Adolf
Adolf Mbaine
Uganda
Dear friends,
I hope every things going well with you ,your family and your work ,I wishes you Happy new year , God bring you prosperity and more happiness please pray for peace in middle east
Basim Tweissi, Jordan
Dear friends,
Happy New Year 2009. All the best for year 2009.
Let be peace on earth.
Hope to see you in Bali,
Ronny Mustamu, Indonesia
To the lovely friends,
Wish you happy new year and hope that all your dreams come true.
Love,
Abdul
Abdul Monam Al Hasani , Sultanate of Oman
Hi Dear,
We pray for peace on earth especially in middle east.
Happy new year to all.
Saleem Abbas
Pakistan