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The Indian Institute of Journalism & new MediaThis year, we went on a recruitment drive for students. We advertised in newspapers, magazines, educational fairs, and colleges in the major metros. 125 students applied for admission. Of these, 15 could not secure bank loans, and six withdrew their applications. We eventually enrolled 43 students. We introduced radio broadcasting in the curriculum. Eight new high quality recording studios, air-conditioned labs and edit rooms have been added. High end flat screen HP computers have replaced the old computers for print, internet, radio and TV students. New dorms were constructed and a basketball court, table tennis facility and bicycles have been provided for students’ physical exercise and recreation. Students provided input about the kind of food they would prefer and every effort has been made to meet their needs. John Thomas was appointed Vice-Dean. Kanchan Kaur is Associate-Dean for Academics, Nikhat Aslam is in charge of Television, and Shankar Venkataraman has been appointed Assistant for the TV program. Several new faculty members have also been appointed. Academic Year 2003 Faculty Professor Anand Sagar has been appointed Associate Dean responsible for Student Affairs and Administration. Workshops The workshops planned were: b. Buisness Reporting c. Legal Reporting d. Investigative Reporting e. Writing Style e-Learning Modules The BBC selected IIJNM and the government-run Mass-Communication Institute in Delhi as official partners in India for promoting e-learning of journalism. IIJNM will be developing e-learning modules for nearly all the courses offered within a couple of years. Those modules will be offered for distance learning. The plan is for distance learners to complete required courses for a diploma off-site and then to spend 3 months on-site for publishing workshops. Broadcast Curriculum a. Television b. Radio
Guest lectures during November included: A Series of workshops titled "Environmental Journalism Seminar & Workshop " was held in 5 major cities in India (Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata). This was organized by IIJNM jointly with International Centre for Journalists and a local host in each city. The 2-day program was intended to provide local journalists with valuable environmental journalism skills and knowledge that can be put into practice. The Bangalore workshop, held at the IIJNM campus was inaugurated
by Dr. Upendra Tripathy, Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control
Board on Friday November 29, 2002. Distinguished members of the panel
included Mr. Ullas Karanth, Director of Wildlife Conservation Society,
India program, Mr. Nagesh Hegde, assistant editor of Prajavani, Mr. Sairam
Bhat of Center for Environmental law. A film presentation titled 'Mindless
Mining' on Kudremukh mining industry was well received and was the highlight
of the day. There was a lively interaction from the media and students
of journalism on the topics that were presented. Mr. Adam Glenn moderated
the workshop. Significant Events (September-October 2002) Rita Henley Jensen, editor-in-chief of the
US-based WomensEnews has joined the IIJNM advisory board. A former senior
writer for the National Law Journal and columnist for The New York Times
Syndicate, Jensen has more than 20 years of experience in journalism and
journalism education. The IIJNM Newsletter was launched in October 2002. Internships abroad for the students of the
Class of 2002:
The previous batch of students got jobs and internships in major institutions. Important Visitors and Guest Speakers Ms. Helen LaFave, Deputy Public Affairs Officer from the US Consulate in Chennai visited IIJNM. During an hour-long interaction with the faculty members, Ms LaFave spoke about her own experience with the press as a diplomat in India. Ms. LaFave also had a brief interactive session with the students. Nazreen Bhura, Resident Editor, The Asian Age, lectured on the local/national Indian media scene in general. Uttam Kumar, Hollywood animator, who has now set up his own animation agency in Hyderabad, spoke on the fine art of animation as a media tool Mr. P. Ramaiah, journalist-turned-member of Karnataka Legislative Council, a former journalist with The Hindu for over four decades before he was nominated to the Legislative Council, gave valuable tips to students on covering the Legislature and the Secretariat. Dr. H. Navanish Prasad, Principal, SKB Ayurveda College, Bangalore, an expert in alternative medicine, both ayurveda and acupressure, gave a lecture on health. Mr. Max Martin, Chief of Metro Bureau, The New Indian Express covered the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) at Johannesburg. Rohit Bidappa, from Cadence Systems, spoke on corporate communications & business reporting. Faculty News IIJNM congratulates faculty member Viji Sundaram on winning the South Asian Journalism Association (SAJA) Award for her story "Where's the Beef? It's in Your Fries." published in India West. Mr. A. Narayana has been selected by the Ford Foundation for its prestigious International Fellowships Program 2003. The fellowship will enable Mr.Narayana to pursue his doctoral studies in a University abroad. Inauguration The Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media was inaugurated on 29th December 2000 on the grounds of the campus. Reputed Indian journalists like Mr. Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director of The Statesman; Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of The New Indian Express, Barkha Dutt, NDTV correspondent, and others from local Bangalore papers were present. The keynote speaker was Barbara Crossette, UN Bureau Chief of The New York Times. She applauded the vision and goals of IIJNM. Her husband, David Wigg, a retired senior British journalist, lent his support to the occasion. Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Law, SM Krishna, Chief minister for Karnataka, Balram Jhakar, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and DB Chandre Gowde, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs graced the occasion as guest speakers and well-wishers. Swamiji gave his blessings for the venture, and Dr. George emphasized that a strong, free and independent press is essential for our democracy. Text of Welcome Speech by Dr. Abraham George IIJNM has an experienced and qualified founding faculty who believe in the vision of the institute. The syllabus is designed on the lines of the curriculum at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, which awards the Pulitzer Prizes for excellence in writing each year. Columbia University has lent its academic support to the institute. IIJNM has state-of-the-art equipment for web journalism, as well as a well-stocked library. The modern and futuristic design of the building and the interesting landscaping of its grounds, together with its quiet location away from the bustling city environs, is an ideal setting for women and men of letters. Aspiring young and not-so-young journalists will find a haven to nurture their idealism and interest, and to hone their talent for written expression. The first batch of IIJNM students was welcomed in mid-January 2001. The next batch joined the institute in August 2001. The students and faculty are a close-knit group, which in true journalistic tradition burns the midnight oil to achieve its targets. For more detailed information, please visit: Visit our web site: www.iijnm.org Email: admin@iijnm.org |
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