Remarks :
My days at IIMC were one of the best days of my life and it taught me a great deal about the profession and even life in general. It also taught me a lot of about myself and greatly aided my self realization. I have met some of the most wonderful people here and made friends for life. I hope IIMC overcomes the issues that have been plaguing it and shines again soon.
Entrance Preview :
IIMC conducts a 2 stage entrance exam for all its courses. I had opted for Radio and Television journalism because I find these two medium effective to reach out even to people who are illiterate. The two stages of the exam are a written paper and an interview. The written stage decides your expression skills, your ability to write a news piece, analytical skill, knowledge of current affairs and depth of understanding an issue. Once you qualify this stage, you reach the interview. Marks are not declared. Only your name comes in the list. The interview panel usually consists of 3 people, one of whom is a professor from the concerned department. They ask you a number of questions in the field of current affairs, your hobby, your educational background and area of interest. The board is very cordial and makes you feel comfortable. There is an additional test called Pitch to Camera where you are required to speak like a reporter in front of a video camera. This is to judge your diction and confidence.
Course Curriculum Overview :
The course is designed in a way that it gives maximum freedom to the students to express themselves. The students are encouraged to debate and discuss in every class. Special classes are structured with guest lecturers who are experts in their fields. A lot of practical and field exercises are conducted to give the students a first hand experience in the field. They are also encouraged to attend live talk shows and make their own tv and radio programs. In two semesters , the students get to learn a range of subjects like media law, media ethics, radio reporting, tv reporting, video editing, even advertising and public relations. You are also supposed to submit a research paper at the end of the semester on a topic of your choice.
Internships Opportunities :
The college requires you to do an internship to complete your curriculum. The students are free to chose and a range of media companies invite the students to intern. There may or may not be a stipend but if the organization likes your work, they may recruit you right after your internship is over. The students intern in the top news organizations and radio channels. Some also opt to work with various give ministries and channels like Doordarshan.
Placement Experience :
The college offers good placement opportunities for students as is the premier institute for mass communication in India. Almost all news agencies, news channels, radio companies, advertisement and PR agencies and PSUs come for recruitment. The students are also encouraged to apply independently to the organization of their choice. Top news channels like IBN7, Headlines Today, Star News, NDTV, India TV, Times Now came for recruitment. Radio channels like Red FM, Radio Mirchi, 95 FM come every year to recruit talented individuals. Pay packages vary starting from 2-3 lakh per annum and going up to 12 lakh per annum or more depending upon the organization and profile. Almost two thirds of my batch got placed successfully. The others got placed within a matter of a couple of months.
College Events :
We had regular seminars and cultural events held which were absolutely open to participation . Students were encouraged to showcase their skills and organize as many events as they liked. The entire college participated very enthusiastically at these events and seminars and the auditorium would be packed with spectators. The highlight was our annual fest, VoxPop organized by the students themselves. The 2 day festival invited famous media personalities for discussions ,lectures, interviews and debates all of whom were moderated by the students themselves. Various quizzes and competitions were also held for the students. To finish off the event, a fabulous DJ night is arranged where the students celebrate the success of the event.
Fee Structure And Facilities :
The annual fee for the course is Rs. 1.32 lakhs. This fees is a subsidized amount since this is a government institute. Same course in the private institute would be about five times the amount. So in the sense of the amount of investment the student places in each student in terms of learning, I infrastructure and other facilities, the course fee seems to be feasible.
Fees and Financial Aid :
Because the fee structure is subsidized in itself, loans are not available. But there is a provision of fee remission for SC/ST students.
Campus Life :
The gender ratio is about 60 percent boys and 40 percent girls but varies with each batch. The students and staff organize regular events, seminars and workshops. The staff is always open to ideas. Students have a lot of fun in their free time and have lot of parties. Almost every evening, after class we used to go for a stroll in the beautiful JNU campus. The campus life was great but has been plagues by a few political issues in the past two years. However, these should be sorted soon. There is great student diversity with students from all over the country and no discrimination. The staff and students are socially conscious and aware, don't judge and respect differences of opinions.
Hostel Facilities :
The college has three hostels which accommodates almost 100 students. Both single and sharing rooms are available. The rooms are spacious and well ventilated with all basic requirements like bed, cupboard, study table and chairs, shelf, side tables and study lamps, even dressing tables. The oldest hostel also have individual balconies in each room. Since it's in JNU campus, there are plenty of PGs available nearby at reasonable prices. The PG's have a good mess service which serves quality and hygienic food. The staff is cordial, regular and efficient and security standards are high. When I was studying at IIMC, the warden of the hostel was the Head of Department of Hindi Journalism who used to live in the same building and was very warm and caring for all students. He would look promptly into any complaints and take immediate action. The hostel also had a visiting doctor for any students who may not be feeling well. Vehicles were present to deal with any emergency or for commutation.
Alumni/Alumna :
IIMC has a very active alumni network with frequent alumni meets. The alumni groups are extremely cooperative and helpful. I work as a CSR professional and frequently need contacts of various corporate. I have to hardly look beyond the alumni group for any information which is thoroughly professional and prompt in response. The group benefits almost everyone who is a part of it in countless ways.
Exam Structure :
In IIMC, focus is not on rote or textbook learning but practical understanding. There are two semesters and there is an exam at the end of each semester. The exams don't require you to cram up but rather understand the subject well. The schedule is hectic as far as practicals are concerned but still very enjoyable because you get to do what you are passionate about, you get freedom of expression and team work allows you to build great bonds.
Admission :
The notification is generally issued late March or early April. I visited the college to procure the form from a special counter. I filled and submitted the form there and then because it is not very complicated. Your passport size photographs will be required. The administration is very cooperative and helpful. They will assist you in every possible way. The exam is held in the third/fourth week of May
Faculty :
We had the most friendly, cooperative and brilliant faculty. The students had a very cordial relationship with the professors. The professors were all experts in their field and highly experienced. For certain subjects, guest faculty would be invited who were luminaries in their field and working professionals. Every single professor took keen interest in their subjects and discussion would often extend outside the classrooms. Learning was never restricted. Since it was a residential campus, students would often discuss subject with their teachers over tea late into the evenings.
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