Success stories of our graduates - 7
“Writing Isn’t Enough; You Must Also Know How to Shoot and Edit”: The Story of Ainuska Asanbekova, Young Reporter for the National Channel
As modern media undergoes a rapid transformation, journalists are no longer expected to simply be good writers. Today, they must create a compelling visual language and act as fast, versatile digital content creators. Ainuska Asanbekova a graduate of the Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema at the Faculty of Communication, Kyrgyz-Turkish “Manas” University, and currently a young reporter on National Channel’s “Ala-Too 24” sat down for an engaging interview with our reporters Asylai Toroeva and Altynai Dosubekova. Though only a short time has passed since her graduation, this young journalist has already mastered the pulse of the field. She warmly shared her memories from her student years, her first steps into the profession, current industry dynamics, and sincere advice for future Manas graduates.
“I Chose My University Online from Our Village Home During Quarantine”
Ainuska’s journey with Manas University coincided with the pandemic, a time when the entire world was locked indoors. Graduating high school during a period of rapid digitization, she began shaping her future right from her village home through online research and the guidance of her elders. While evaluating universities, the transparent and accessible structure of Manas immediately caught her attention.
Ainuska recalls those days:
“I started researching universities even before the national exam results were announced. At the time, only Manas University provided complete and clear information about the application process on its website and social media channels. I even looked into the faculty and teachers who would be taking our classes one by one. During a media training session I attended online in high school, I learned that the future of journalism was changing—that writing alone wouldn’t be enough, and that the industry would need 'multimedia specialists' who could manage both the camera and editing. That is precisely why I consciously and purposefully chose the RTS department, believing it would offer me everything I was looking for.”
Continuing her academic success after stepping onto the Manas campus, Asanbekova studied on a scholarship thanks to her high GPA and took full advantage of every theoretical and practical opportunity the university offered.
“Sometimes We Would Feel a Bit Resentful Toward Our Professors...”
For Ainuska, her student years at the Faculty of Communication were filled with shooting with cameras slung over shoulders, deadline rushes, and unforgettable study sessions for exams in the canteen. The unique format of practical courses and the high standards set by the faculty prepared students for professional discipline and a strong sense of responsibility.
“Sometimes we wished our professors would be a little more lenient with us, and we felt secretly resentful. But looking back today, I see that those high expectations taught us to be meticulous in our work, helped us gain discipline, and shaped our character. I am deeply grateful to all my professors,” Ainuska says with a smile.
The young reporter’s greatest achievement during her college years was her graduation project a short documentary titled “Atasının Kızı”. Shot with technical infrastructure provided by the university, the film earned the Special Award at the prestigious TRT “Communicators of the Future” competition in Turkey.
Ainuska remembers the production process fondly:
“The support of my project advisor, Nargiza Mamatkulova, was invaluable to me. Before the shoot, she prepared us step by step and encouraged us, saying: 'Don't rush, don't listen to anyone, just go and shoot what's in your heart.' During the editing phase, she spent hours working with each of us individually. In class, we used to watch projects from former students and analyze their mistakes. But when we went out into the field, we made those exact same mistakes ourselves! That’s when I realized that in this profession, everything is truly learned through firsthand experience.”
Professional Growth on “Ala-Too 24”
After graduation, Ainuska initially worked in the press office of a public institution. However, her turning point came during the reporting workshops she attended in Ankara as part of the TRT Festival. Reconnecting with her passion for field reporting, the young journalist set her sights on broadcast news and knocked on the door of the “Ala-Too 24” channel. After successfully completing a one-month trial period, she was brought onto the full-time staff, launching her active reporting career at the National Channel.
Today Ainuska reports live developments from the field, produces special reports and features, and analyzes international news. She emphasizes that her education at Manas where theory was seamlessly blended with practice made her transition to the harsh realities of the industry much smoother.
“You Think All Doors Will Open Once You Get Your Diploma”
“When you finish school and hold that diploma in your hand, it feels as if every door in the world will suddenly swing open. You have an idealized world in your mind. But the rhythm and rules of real life are a bit different,” says Ainuska, advising newcomers to be realistic without getting discouraged.
In her view, young professionals must believe in themselves, step up to take responsibility, and courageously stand up for their rights and creative ideas.
Noting that good writing alone is no longer enough in modern journalism, the young reporter stresses that journalists today must shoot, edit, and deliver information to the audience in the most clear and rapid way possible. While new media trends demand continuous learning and creative thinking, she highlights the importance of maintaining ethics and balance when using AI, especially in the race for likes and ratings. In times of uncertainty, Ainuska consults the theoretical foundation she built at university and relies on the experience of her editors.
“Not Just a School, But a Lifelong Bond of Solidarity”
For Ainuska, Manas is far more than an institution left behind after receiving a diploma. Today, she remains closely connected with her classmates working in cinema, the media, and public press relations, and their professional solidarity remains as strong as ever.
Mentioning that she stays in regular touch with her professors and the university’s Career Center, the young reporter shares that hearing from her former professors asking, “Have you settled into a job? How are things going?” serves as an irreplaceable source of motivation for her:
“Without a second thought, I can say that Manas has given me a wonderful social circle and an unwavering community that I can lean on for the rest of my life.”
Reporters: Asylai Toroeva and Altynai Dosubekova
