Technical Communications prevents accidents

On Saturday 10th December, a road crush occurred along Naivasha-Nakuru road. This incident that resulted in the loss of over forty lives has attracted condemnation from a wide range of people including the head of state. The main cause being fronted is the lack of markings and signage on the roads. 

Unfortunately, this known fact is taken lightly by senior officials in the transport industry.  Just two months ago (in October), I made a visit to the ministry and asked to talk to the person in charge of safety. Accompanied by a colleague, we were directed to an official who was gracious enough to give us about 45 minutes of his time. Despite pitching to him the importance of the ministry recognising and bringing on board professional technical communication practitioners like myself to help improve transport safety on roads and beyond, the official remained adamant that all was well. 

Whereas, the ministry does not undertake the actual work on the roads since agencies such as Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) have been given the construction function. And additionally, the National Transport Safe Authority (NTSA) has further mandate to oversee good roads’ usage; the ministry is accountable for policy and overall responsibility. 

The senior official could not differentiate between general road signage that communicate direction for instance, Mombasa 500km and Thika 40 km; and safety signage that give strict instructions such as slow down, or pumps ahead.  He therefore continuously boasted on how the roads are already well labeled and there is no room for further help from outside quarters.

At NTSA the receptionist was unfriendly and refused to direct us to the communications department. Instead she rudely told us to post any suggestions we may have on their website.  Of course we declined her unhelpful assistance. 

Beyond the roads, at Kenya Power and lighting Company (KPLC), I was told that the company happily subcontracts the entire communications requirements to a PR company. The communications official that spoke to me confessed that he has never heard of technical communications and kept wondering how different it was from creative! My hand-delivered letter to them in late September, requesting audience with the person in charge is still awaiting response. 

This lack of awareness and accompanied arrogance will hang on to endanger lives of citizens. Public institutions must keep abreast with changing times and new expertise that solve unique problems.   Yesteryears solutions are not necessarily appropriate for todays’ and tomorrow’s challenges.

The technical communications practice in Kenya will not tire to sensitise and educate the public and relevant public agencies on the role of safety communication in the modern society especially in respect to pharmaceuticals and poisonous substances, electricity and energy, and transport matters.

Technical and Professional Communication in Kenya video

TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS IN DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY

Interview Questions

1.  Why did you choose to do Technical and Professional Communication and not the other Communication Courses?

Ans. My choice of TPC as a degree pursuit was strategic. I wanted a career that offers greatest opportunity for flexibility.

TPC is quite different from the other communication courses which are either

1. media-centered and are hinged heavily on journalism i.e Print and Electronic media.  Or

2. Marketing centred – PR and Advertising

With a TPC qualification I don’t rely on media houses entirely for my success nor boxed in one department in an organization. .

Tpc is beyond communication. In fact initially, TPC was under department of Languages and Arts - and not communications!

2.  Why did you take the course in Daystar and not in a public institution?

Ans. Daystar is the only university in sub-Saharan Africa that offers the course.  You may not believe it, were it not for TPC, my chances of knowing about Daystar were somewhat slim.

3.  What are the requirements for a form four leaver to take the course? Do you think that the requirements lock potential students out of taking the course?

Ans. Daystar requires one to have at least C+ overall and B- in English. I believe it is fair enough. Actually, in some universities in other countries the course is only offered as graduate or post graduate course!

I am sure there are also some remedial courses that can be done to bridge the gap

4.  According to you, do you think the word”Technical” makes students scared of taking the course?

Ans. There is likelihood but I have no hard proof. We have students taking technical subjects such as computer science, physics, mathematics, logistics, and economics here at Daystar without fear.

My take is that it confuses them since I have heard some say it is another “cool” name for electronic media

5.  What were the challenges you went through while taking the course in Daystar? In regards to teaching and gaining skills needed and exposure in the professional field?

Ans. The biggest was lack of local content, most texts, case studies, and illustrations were foreign and I kept wondering whether I was going to work in Kenya or abroad. Getting course units projected was a difficult since we were few. Another was being forced to take an internship (instead of just doing a senior project) yet few organisations understand the function- the organisation that took me in for internship posted me to their PR department!

6.  Is the course recognizable when one is applying for a job? Which fields of profession require one to have taken this course?

Ans. The paradox is that many organisations use technical communication without realising it. Technical communication is a broadband profession applicable across many industries however, only highly refined organisations recognize TPC.  So far NGOs are leading the way in the country with some having a full-fledged internal department or constantly advertising for consultants’ services openly eg Agra and LVC T..   

The question of high unemployment is real. Tpc offers wide prospects for self employment.

There are two approaches to TPC in the industry, 1. When members of any profession make attempts to communicate with lay people. 2. When trained technical communicators are recruited to intercede between the professions and lay people.

Technical communication also goes under different designations such as technical writer /editor, technical illustrator technical marketer, knowledge manager, documentation specialists. However, according to me the de la crème of our specialisation is in writing manuals and user guides for manufacturers.

7.  Is it easier to take the course after first taking a Diploma in the Technical field or not?

Ans. absolutely, however reading widely in all fields is a bonus since technical communication is multidisciplinary and cross disciplinary in nature. The more one knows in all subjects, the better a technical communicator they become.

8.  Do you feel that this course is underrated not just in Daystar but in Kenya as well, and why so?

Ans. Definitely. But much more in Kenya than in Daystar.  The society is yet to put a premium on good writing and documentation practices. Also underfunding of research impacts negatively on TPC – TPC draws a lot of is content from research papers and innovations

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9.  What can you do as an individual to help advance this course?

Ans. The question is not what I can do but rather what I am already doing- I work in a company that I started and which deals exclusively in offering technical communications services. Furthermore, I assist as much as possible the students who wish to understand the field. Just this September I came to Daystar Athi River (on invitation) and I gave a presentation to TPC students and answered their questions. I also have a blog on my firm’s website where I share experiences and thoughts on TPC in Kenya and beyond.

10.                   What would you advice Daystar as an institution to do to help improve how the course is perceived by potential students?  In regards to fees, lecturers and exposure to areas of employment? Etc

Ans. I guess there is basically little that can be done in terms of fees and lecturers since they are standard inputs.  Looking critically at it, TPC is a good bargain since it’s a double major at a price of one degree- if you check out the units you’ll notice some 500 level courses being part of the programme!  Nevertheless, I have never understood why we don’t have a brochure till now yet we designed one while I was a student

11.                   Would you consider taking a Masters and a PHD in the course?

Ans. Of course. However, I am not in a hurry because the degree itself is a professional qualification and it is serving me fine.  Later I would wish to teach and conduct research in the field- post graduate qualifications will come in handy.

12.                   1. What inspired you to undertake TPC as a major course?

Ans. I wanted (and still want) to advance technology or technical knowledge for development. Technical communication empowers me to participate in Africa’s industrialisation goals through translating ideas and dreams into concrete concepts, plans, and useable manuals. My view is that Africa’s growth is restricted not by lack of knowledge but lack of understanding.

13.                   .What was your biggest achievement in the technical practice subjects in school.

Ans.?? Designing PHP website was quite great.  Designing technical reports, as well speech wring.

14.                    How was this important to you as an individual? How have you benefitted professionally due to taking the course?

Ans. Earning this qualification has made me a professional communicator, critique, analyst, and writer. I can now discharge services with more confidence, ability, and profitability.

15.                    How have you embraced your skills with the current work opportunities that are available for this career?

Ans. Daystar’s TPC programme is very comprehensive and versatile. It equips one with diverse skills that makes a graduate well rounded and resourceful. I have been published by almost all major Newspapers and leading Magazines in Kenya.

I serve corporate clients by supplying them with quality communication products.

16.                   What's your advice for young individuals who are yet to join university and are not aware of TPC as a course?  Your advice for students who are hesitant about taking the course?

Ans. I am very practical when it comes to career matters. Career counselling must be initiated at all stages of education so that students are sensitised on opportunities available and what it takes to succeed in the careers.

TPC is a rigorous course and it stemmed out of writing. An ideal prospective TPC student or practitioner should have a strong liking for writing, for language, an inquisitive mind, an appreciation for both science and art, and love working hard.

SWOT ANALYSIS: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION INDUSTRY IN KENYA (2016)