GMIT launches spring talks series in association with RTÉ

As part of GMIT’s partnership with RTÉ, the Institute is pleased to announce a new series of talks with key individuals from the public service broadcaster which commenced in GMIT’s Dublin Road campus today (17 February) to the end of May.

The first guest speaker, broadcaster Sean O'Rourke, presenter of the mid-morning current affairs programme ‘Today with Seán O’Rourke’ on RTE Radio 1, was interviewed by Paidi O’Lionáird, News Editor of RTÉ Nuacht and TG4 current affairs TV presenter (Tuesday 17 February).

The discussion focused on Mr O’Rourke’s life including his time in the Jes (Coláiste Iognáid) and UCG, the Connacht Sentinel, the Irish Press and RTÉ, from sports to politics then and now.

Three masterclasses, organised by Brid Dooley, Head of Archives, RTÉ Digital, will be delivered to GMIT’s Film and Documentary students in the GMIT Centre for Creative Arts & Media (CCAM) from now until April.

The masterclasses will form a critical part of the learning experience for students.
 

Maeve Flynn, digital Content and Products Manager, RTÉ Player, will deliver the first workshop on Wednesday 18 February on ‘Digital creative media: Insights into the evolving roles, skill sets and trends’; Dhruba Banerjee, Independent Producer, Strike Films, will deliver a workshop on Wednesday 25 March on ‘Creating editorial content, through to managing large teams and delivering high profile projects’; and Brid Dooley, Head of RTÉ Archives, will give a master class and lecture on Wednesday 22 April, titled ‘Today’s production-Tomorrow’s Archive. Aligning the creative production & digital archiving processes.’

The final event in the series will be delivered in late April by RTÉ’s Business Editor and journalist David Murphy, who will give a presentation to final year Business and Tourism & Arts students on "Challenges of Business Journalism'.

The GMIT/RTÉ agreement, formally established in 2012, provides opportunities for both organisations to collaborate and work together for mutual benefit. Through the series of Masterclasses, media students in GMIT gain additional insight and understanding into RTÉ operations and the state broadcaster offers unique opportunities for the students to access expert knowledge. RTÉ personnel are also involved in external examining and curriculum review.

GMIT’s Head of College of Tourism & Arts Cáit Noone says “Working with colleagues in RTÉ over the last two years has opened up many opportunities for our students studying the honours degree in Film and Documentary programme here in GMIT, and we look forward to expanding this collaboration.”

Speaking about the opening event on Tuesday (17 Feb), TG4 current affairs presenter Paidi O’Lionáird said:  "Seán O'Rourke has been a great servant to the Irish public over many years of journalism and broadcasting at the very highest level and laterally as host to RTÉ's most prized, most listened to daily mid-morning radio slot."