Sprott School of Business and CKCU partner to harness the power of media for social impact
The Sprott School of Business at Carleton University and CKCU, Canada’s oldest campus-based radio station, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, as the latter looks to incorporate social entrepreneurship into its operations before marking its 50th anniversary in 2025.
“We are delighted to partner with CKCU as they set out on a new journey,” said Dana Brown, dean of the Sprott School of Business. “Social entrepreneurship is essential to improving lives in our communities and worldwide, and CKCU’s incorporation of it in their operations will help show other media organizations its significance and importance.”
Based out of Carleton University, CKCU strives to provide a voice to Ottawa’s many different communities. Now, through this partnership with Sprott, they are planning on significantly growing their local social impact.
“CKCU is an organization that has a really storied past, and we’re trying to put pieces into place that will ensure it has a storied future as well,” said Kwende Kefentse, CKCU executive director. “CKCU has been around since radio was the internet; that was how people accessed information. We were also really the first organization that gave voice in the media to minorities in the community.”
“Now, with this wave of Ottawa growing and developing, and technology growing and developing, we recognize that our partnership with Sprott will be the key for us to play the same impactful role again.”
While details are still being finalized for the path ahead, the Sprott School of Business and CKCU also plan to pioneer strategies and solutions that will help the local media sector across Canada adapt to rapidly changing media and technological landscapes. They will conduct collaborative projects to address challenges of social entrepreneurship in creative industries, co-host thought leadership events, develop new educational materials, and provide experiential learning opportunities for Carleton University students.
“Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we all realized the true power and importance of the media,” Dana said. “The media sector across Canada, and the world, is going through unprecedented challenges and changes while possessing tremendous potential and possibility.”
“I believe, as a business school, we can play a significant role in helping organizations navigate the path ahead in a sustainable, responsible and impactful way.”
About CKCU
Founded in 1975 at Carleton University, CKCU was the first campus-based community radio station in Canada. Licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as a community-based campus radio station, CKCU runs on a unique model which makes it an integral part of the University that also serves other groups in Ottawa. The organization is a registered charitable organization, and is funded by donors, Carleton students and sponsorships.
About Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business
The Sprott School of Business at Carleton University creates learning opportunities and scholarship that harness the potential and opportunity for business to improve lives worldwide. Drawing upon our values of compassion, imagination and purpose, Sprott can contribute to a better world ahead through the continued provision of outstanding education, research and partnerships. Carleton University is located in Ottawa, Canada – the nation’s capital and a hub of social and technological innovation.