Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kumar is a professor at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. He has taught at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, before joining the IIMC. Moreover, he is also Dean Students’ Welfare, Course Director of Urdu Journalism, HoD, Outreach Activities & Placement, and Editor of IIMC’s prestigious research journal ‘Sanchar Madhyam’. He is the author and editor of ten books in English, Hindi and has written more than 3000 articles, features, and news stories. 

IIMC New Delhi

What do programmes offer on campus to help students' performance?

“We provide courses in English, Hindi, Odia, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu journalism, Radio & Television Journalism, and Advertising & Public Relations”

The campus offers PG Diploma courses in English, Hindi, Odia, Marathi, Malayalam, and Urdu journalism, Radio & Television Journalism, and Advertising & Public Relations. The popularity of these programmes is understood from the fact that about 8,000 students appear for national-level entrance tests for admission. IIMC has been ranked number one media training institution in India by leading media houses due to high employability rate. We focus on practical training, visits to newsrooms, and interaction with industry leaders. It helps our students to outperform and stand apart from the crowd. 

What are your roles and responsibilities?

“Organize placement and lectures for students”

I am associated with different departments in IIMC. I don several roles like Professor, Course Director of Urdu Journalism, HoD of Placement Cell & Outreach Activities, Dean Students’ Welfare, and editor of IIMC’s prestigious Hindi research journal ‘Sanchar Madhyam’. My prime duty is to provide placement and resolve students’ grievances as Dean Students’ Welfare. 

How do you bring a practical approach towards the subject and make it industry-oriented?

“Practical training and job-oriented approach”

The second semester on-campus is dedicated to practical training through preparing lab journals, reporting, attending press conferences, interviewing eminent personalities, producing videos, producing radio bulletins, publishing newspapers and magazines. Our practical training includes TV, radio, and digital journalism. Students visit different newsrooms to have practical exposure, interact with editors and reporters. We also train them in social media handling and digital marketing. These are the emerging spaces in the media and entertainment industry.

How do you establish healthy relations with students and faculty in IIMC?

“Keep an open mind to ideas, suggestions, and feedback of students and staff”

Communication is the primary part of any relationship whether professional or personal. I always keep an open mind to new ideas, suggestions, and feedback for faculty and students. My office doors are always open for faculty and students.

Check Indian Institute of Mass Communication Courses & Fees

How do you guide students to survive in a competitive scenario?

“Guide the students to sharpen their skills in the competitive world”

We focus on sharpening their skills and training them to be a leader in the newsroom. It is evident from the current scenario in media houses across the country. I feel the only way to survive in a competitive scenario is to learn new skills.

How do you update the curriculum that benefits students?

“Introduced health communication in the syllabus”

Our curriculum is reviewed in almost three years. Internal and external faculty discuss new developments taking place in the media with students. For example, we have started providing training to detect fake news, handle social media platforms and focus on solution journalism also. We included health communication in our syllabus much before the Covid pandemic hit the world.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of IIMC?

“Regular interaction of students with media industry leaders”

We have skilled internal faculty that distinguishes us from other institutions. There is a regular interaction of students with media industry experts. It helps us prepare trained professionals as per the changing needs of media. Our special lecture series, ‘Friday Dialogue’, provides the students an out-of-classroom perspective on different current issues.

What valuable advice would you like to give to students for a prosperous career? 

“Sharpen your skills and update yourself with the changing technology”

Have good command over at least two-three languages. Sharpen your skill with changing technology. Out of box thinking develops a distinct storytelling style. Regularly update yourself through reading. Individuals close the door for progress in their career if they stop reading. 

What are the professional experiences in your career?

“Held different positions in newsrooms and wrote over 3000 articles, reports, and features”

I started my career with a tribal magazine ‘Van Bandhu’ in 1989. I have worked in ‘Panchjanya’ and ‘Organiser’. I interviewed over 180 eminent personalities from India and abroad. Moreover, I have written over 3000 articles, reports, and features in different languages. I specialise in Reporting and Editing. I have studied paradigm shift in newsroom in respect of technological interventions for my Ph.D. dissertation. For it, I conducted case studies of Indian Express, Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, Rajasthan Patrika, Times Now, and AajTak newsrooms. 

What qualities does a student possess for successful future?

“Fluency in language and technology boosts the future of a student”

I feel the students who have good command over multiple languages, have a distinct storytelling style and are fluent in new technology have a bright future in media.

What teaching style makes students interested in the subject?

“Acquire practical learning and start work in any newsroom”

I share my experience as a working journalist with students instead of normal bookish knowledge. This imparts them practical training. It also prepares them to be ready to work in the newsroom from the day one of joining.

Click Indian Institute of Mass Communication Placements

How does the department raise the skills of the faculty as per industry standards?

“Offers training sessions to enhance the knowledge of faculty”

We offer the trainers’ sessions for our faculty. They regularly undertake research and participate in national and international media conferences. Moreover, we have regular interactions with editors and heads of different media houses including Corporate Houses and Advertising Agencies.