By: Zahraa Rashad

A young broadcaster, who is a student at "Faculty of Mass Communication", participated in the "Dome" program, category of television presentation, and succeeded in reaching advanced stages. About this participation, and her presenting experience, we had this interview with her.

First of all, we want an identification card for you?
I am Sarah Sami, third year, Radio and Television Department, Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University. I am 21 years old.

How did you benefit from studying radio and television when you applied to the Dome program competition?
I benefited a lot from my studies, as I was the only one among the Dome contestants studying at Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University, and I knew the difference between news and report and what is meant by “autoque”. I also benefited from the presentations that we prepare in the faculty in standing in front of great broadcasters, not shaking, and staying confident in myself and my capabilities.

What are the most important interviews that you conducted?
I conducted an interview with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark, and this was one of the interviews that made me happy, because conducting an interview with a great personality such as His Holiness the Pope is not an easy matter. Also, an interview with Prof. Dr. Howayda Mustafa dean of Faculty of Mass Communication, in addition to my interviews with the deans of the faculties of commerce, politics and economics, and all of that made me happy to increase my talent and taught me the courage to talk with big personalities.

Who recommended you to apply for this program?
There is no person who would suggest that to me, and I did not suggest that to myself, and I always said that I still had a lot to apply and take this step until someone I did not know came and watched a video that was posted on the faculty page while I was reading the news bulletin and said to me, "Come do an audition tomorrow and I went I was accepted."

What stages did you go through in the program until you were selected among the top ten in the field of television presentation?
The first stage was the audition stage, and about 20,000 applicants had submitted to this stage, and my age was young compared to those older than me, and this created a sense of fear in me, but I overcame that and went and did the audition in the Media Production City, and the committee that evaluated the applicants included Mr. Shady Shash, who evaluates the TV presenters, and for your information, Mr. Shady Shash is the chief broadcaster of Extra News, and Mr. Shady was happy with my participation, and after I presented the newsletter, he asked me to present another content, so I presented part of the interview that I had prepared with His Holiness Pope Tawadros. Indeed, I presented part of it, and Professor Shady said that he was happy with my participation. Then they called me and informed me that I was accepted into the Dome program.

And what stage followed that?
In the second stage of the program, the competition was in the One Minute Channel. I talked about hope, and I got three Golden Keys, and this means that four of the five contestants will be selected, and I was actually chosen at the end of the episode. My participation in the program continued throughout the first, second, and third episodes, and I graduated from the fourth episode, and what pleased me was that large websites wrote about my participation; Youm7, Cairo 24, AlWafd and others.

What was your feeling when you reached an advanced stage?
The dominant feeling I had since the beginning of my participation in the program was contentment, even when I heard negative comments I always felt satisfied, and I felt proud when I looked into the eyes of my mother and brother and found them happy with me, proud that I made them feel happy.

Who supported you the most in your career in the program?
There are many professors in the faculty who supported me, including Dr. Mahitab Gamal, lecturer in the Department of Radio and Television, Dr. Bassant Mourad, an assistant professor in the department, Dr. Nashwa Akl, a professor in the department, and Dr. Menah Allah Hussein, a lecturer in the department. I cannot forget the support of the senior professors, Prof. Dr. Adel Fahmy, Professor in the Department of Radio and Television, and Professor Dr. Mahmoud Youssef, Professor in the Department of Public Relations and Advertising. And I do not forget that Dr. Areeg Fakhr El-Din said to me when I was in the first level in the faculty, "You will be a great presenter."

How did you benefit from the Dome experience?
The benefit is very great, in addition to being ranked among the top ten in the television presenting category, I gained experiences, formed relationships, and there are many broadcasters who became my friends, and I got to know great directors, and it was an enjoyable experience, all of which were positive feelings. When the program management asked me to make a film about me after my participation, I chose to prepare a film with my college, “Cairo Media.” The film was with the dean, Professor Dr. This is the place I am most proud of.

And who is your ideal of broadcasters?
Presenter Raya Abi Rashid, I adore her presentation, her history, and her features, as well as Mona El Shazly because she is beautiful, diverse and educated.

What are your future ambitions?
To become the first broadcaster in the Arab world, and when I reach this dream, I will strive to become a global broadcaster.