In a significant effort to enhance collaboration in media education and skill development, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Dhenkanal and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday at the SRFTI campus.
This landmark agreement aims to strengthen academic ties, promote joint research and training, and provide students with greater exposure to industry-relevant practices.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Sukanta Mazumdar, Dean of SRFTI, and Prof. Anand Pradhan, Regional Director of IIMC Dhenkanal, in the presence of Dr. Nimish Rustagi, Registrar and Additional Director General of IIMC. Also in attendance were Shri Deepak Singh, Registrar of SRFTI; Prof. Chandan Goswami, Dean of the EDM Wing; Prof. Sudipta Bhowmick, Head of the Department of EDM Management; and other senior faculty members from SRFTI.
Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Vice Chancellor of IIMC, congratulated the Dhenkanal campus and expressed her satisfaction with the MoU signing, emphasizing the importance of active collaboration between the two institutions.
During the event, Prof. Anand Pradhan highlighted the significance 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 mentioned that the strategic partnership would offer a wide range of opportunities. “This collaboration will lead to joint academic programs, 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. Sukanta Mazumdar stated, “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 ongoing 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.
