Bhubaneswar: In a move to enhance collaboration in media education and skill development, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday.
This landmark agreement, signed at SRFTI campus, aims to strengthen academic ties, promote joint research and training, and provide students with greater exposure to industry-relevant practices, an official release said on Tuesday.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Sukanta Mazumdar, Dean, SRFTI, and Prof. Anand Pradhan, Regional Director, IIMC Dhenkanal, in the presence of Dr. Nimish Rustagi, Registrar and Additional Director General of IIMC. Also present were Shri Deepak Singh, Registrar, SRFTI; Prof. Chandan Goswami, Dean (EDM Wing); Prof. Sudipta Bhowmick, Head of the Department, EDM Management, and other senior faculty members from SRFTI.
Vice Chancellor of IIMC, Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur congratulated the Dhenkanal campus while expressing her satisfaction over the signing of the MoU and emphasised the importance of active collaboration between the two institutions.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Anand Pradhan emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration, stating, “This partnership between two sister organisations under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will open up exciting new avenues for students and faculty. It will create a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, creative exploration, and professional growth.”
Dr. Nimish Rustagi noted that the strategic partnership would offer a broad spectrum of opportunities. “This collaboration will lead to joint academic programmes, research projects, short-term skill-based training, and shared access to infrastructure and expertise. It reflects our commitment to expanding the horizons of media education and practice,” he said.
Expressing optimism about the collaboration, Prof Mazumdar said, “Both SRFTI and IIMC are leading institutions in eastern India with distinct strengths. This partnership will focus on skill-based programs and foster entrepreneurial innovation in the fields of mass communication, media, and cinema.”
The collaboration is expected to particularly benefit students in journalism, film, digital media, and related disciplines by providing them with interdisciplinary learning and exposure to both traditional and emerging tools of storytelling and communication.
The signing of the MoU represents IIMC Dhenkanal’s continued efforts to establish meaningful academic partnerships that empower students and educators in Odisha and beyond, while strengthening the ecosystem of media and communication education in the country.
