The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has given the go-ahead to the Indian Institute of Mass Communication to apply for deemed university status
The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has given the go-ahead to the Indian Institute of Mass Communication to apply for deemed university status. Once it becomes a deemed university, the institute will be able to award degrees instead of diplomas. This will help students wanting to pursue a career in academics as well as those wanting to take up mass communication as a subject in civil services.
Once it becomes a deemed university, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication will be able to award degrees instead of diplomas. (HT File)
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IIMC, an autonomous institute under the ministry, will now have to seek permission from University Grants Commission (UGC) for a change in status.
A deemed university status means the institute does not have to seek consent from Parliament for its elevation. Currently, IIMC offers only post-graduate diploma courses.
Once students get a post graduate degree from IIMC, they can pursue a MPhil in media studies or even a PhD at the institute if they are keen on pursuing academic interests. This will go a long way in helping improve research in the field of media studies. Students can even take up mass communication as a subject choice for civil services exam, especially prelims, says KG Suresh, director general, IIMC.
“It will be a win-win for students. The present post graduate diploma courses will be extended to two years. Those who pursue a one-year course will be awarded post graduate diploma while those completing two years would be given post graduate degree. We are aiming to develop IIMC as a centre of higher learning for media,” says Suresh.
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“At present students pursue a media studies diploma course to get a general overview of journalism. Once we are able to grant degrees, we can dedicate the first year to general media studies and offer a specialisation in the second year of the course,” he adds. IIMC has six campuses across the country.
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“At present students pursue a media studies diploma course to get a general overview of journalism. Once we are able to grant degrees, we can dedicate the first year to general media studies and offer a specialisation in the second year of the course,” he adds. IIMC has six campuses across the country.
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