Efforts underway to get IIMC international tag
Decks have been cleared for the upgradation of Indian Institute of Mass Communication into an international university. The proposal for the upgradation of the institute, put forth by the Union information and broadcasting ministry, has been cleared by the Expenditure Finance Committee at a meeting held recently.
Official sources stated that the proposal for the upgradation of the institute was made as it was felt that a university was required to fulfil the growing demands of qualified and trained media professionals from the industry. “Union I&B minister Ambika Soni has also called for the involvement of the proposed university in meeting the academic and research challenges in the field of mass communication,” sources added.
The I&B ministry’s plan for the upgradation of IIMC was first reported by this newspaper in June last year. The I&B ministry also proposes to get an act cleared in Parliament to declare IIMC as an “Institute of National Importance” such as the IITs. Sources stated that the advantages of conversion of IIMC into a university would be that it be able to award degrees, better job prospects for students, advanced academic courses, like M.Phil and doctoral programmes can be introduced and access to better research and training funds from the government and international bodies.
“The I&B ministry now plans to seek equivalence to masters degree for the two-year PG diploma courses from human resource development ministry,” sources added. The IIMC is also expected to revamp its course curriculum and reinvent itself for the needs of present day media and entertainment market needs.
I&B minister Ambika Soni has asked the journalism institute to prepare a road map to fulfil the needs of the growing media and entertainment industry. Introduction of at least two new two-year PG diploma courses in developmental journalism and corporate communication and media management is being proposed.
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