Jamia raises course fees

The Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) has hiked its course fees by almost 30%, making the varsity’s more sought after courses beyond the reach of students.

The Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) has hiked its course fees by almost 30%, making the varsity’s more sought after courses beyond the reach of students.

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“We have hiked the fees for the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre because this is a highly technology driven programme. We need expensive equipment to train students, and given the recent increase in prices and inflationary conditions we have increased the fees. We do not want to compromise on quality,” said SM Sajid, registrar, JMI.

While AJK Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) has hiked fees for its flagship course, MA Mass Communication, from R89,920 in 2010 to R1,29,720 for the current academic year, students are now looking for cheaper alternatives.

“Some private institutes charge as much as Jamia does now. It does not make sense to pay so much for the course. Many of us can’t afford the fees and with jobs being few and far between, taking educational loans is also a risk,” said Rahul Kiran, an MCRC aspirant.

While the courses offered by MCRC have seen the steepest increase in fees, professional courses such as the Masters of Business Administration (evening) programme offered for working professionals has almost witnessed a 100% jump in fees since 2010.

"Like mass communication, it is important to improve the quality of the programme. MBA is a self- financed programme and if we are to hire the best people from the industry, then it is important to pay them a respectable amount," Sajid added.