University News Last updated 16 May 2014
A postgraduate broadcast journalism student at Birmingham City University is celebrating after being offered a major role with a Latin American television channel.
50-year-old Olivier Acuña, originally from Mexico City, will begin his new job as founding executive editor of Telesur's new English Service in June, working alongside two other editors and a team of 40 staff to get the service operating by July.
Based in Venezuela, Telesur is a terrestrial and satellite TV company broadcasting to Latin America and its latest venture is a multiplatform English language news channel.
Professor Diane Kemp, course director of MA International Broadcast Journalism at Birmingham City University, said: "This is wonderful news. Olivier really deserves his success. He's used every opportunity while studying with us to broaden his knowledge and learn new approaches to reporting."
Olivier said: "My career had reached a dead end in my home town of Mexico City due to my age and adverse circumstances in my country regarding the lack of freedom of expression. My objective was to become internationally employable and this is exactly what has happened.
"There is no doubt that my MA here at Birmingham City University has been key to this extraordinary opportunity. I look forward to committing myself with passion and dedication to forge a career that I expect will render great personal and professional success."