Students and researchers at BGU's Sede Boqer campus recently completed a training course as radio announcers and will begin broadcasting new radio programs on the Internet radio station SB Campus Radio. Earlier this week the Albert Katz School of Desert Studies hosted a launch party for the new season together with the graduation ceremony of those who successfully completed the course.
The radio station is the initiative of Buzi Raviv, a doctoral student at the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR). "After taking part in the course 'An Introduction to Radio' run by the Ramat Negev Regional Council, a year ago I initiated the establishment of a radio program SB Campus Radio which aired once a week on the Internet on the MIXCLOUD station," says Raviv. "I worked with several foreign students and all the broadcasts were in English and included scientific surveys, music reviews, interviews with artists and students and more. The broadcasts in this format include 30 programs, one every week, recorded and edited using basic home equipment but with a lot of resourcefulness and lots of joy and satisfaction," he adds.
Due to its popularity, it was decided to extend the project by establishing a professional radio station and studio. Those who rose to the challenge were the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR), the Albert Katz School of Desert Studies and the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism, who allocated funds for the project. The new management team includes in addition to Buzi Raviv, Prof. Simon Barak and a student, Rani Salboldy.
The establishment of a professional radio station and studio, including infrastructure, began with the process of recruiting announcers from the student community, Midreshet Ben-Gurion and the Ramat Negev Regional Council. Those interested were enlisted in a professional course on radio broadcasting taught by radio broadcaster and anchor Yaniv Giladi. Twelve people registered from and achieved a dream.
Graduates of the course worked throughout on the production of radio news programs in Hebrew and English, already uploaded to the site and available for listening via MIXCLOUD. They will engage in international culture and music, in-depth interviews with local residents and researchers from Midreshet Ben-Gurion, and also spiritual and social matters.
SB Campus Radio personnel are also responsible for original collaborations that are planned to expand, including recording lectures, performances and events of the Ramat Negev Regional Council and putting them on the air. They also share content with "Radio Grandma" their neighbor from Mitzpe Ramon, and host a monthly storytelling competition held in Oakland, California where it is recorded, and edited and broadcast at Sede Boqer.
"What is special about this project is the possibility that those in the periphery can realize a dream and be part of a diverse communications body, which connects the University to the community," concludes Buzi Raviv with satisfaction. "Our announcers include young people and pensioners, religious and secular, Israelis and foreigners – and the project reflects the unique spirit that prevails at Sede Boqer, "The Pearl of the University," says BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi. The whole process went well and we all had fun and learned a lot, and hope that you too will enjoy the finished product".
Above: Graduates of the course receive certificates.
