Sualiha Zubair
Srinagar, Jan 12: Students as well as teachers from various Journalism schools across Kashmir reacted to the launch of three specialized master’s degrees in Journalism by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
As per the students who recently completed their bachelor’s degree, the move gives them an edge to further gain expertise in the specific branch of their choice.
Mantasha Binti Zahoor, a recent journalism pass out from Cluster University says, “Graphic designing in Digital Media has been my interest and with the introduction of the new course, I can specialize as per my choice and convenience.”
However, to maintain the competence of the field, she believes that the degrees must be kept background specific and not open to all.
Apart from IGNOU, master’s in Journalism is taught at three universities across Kashmir that include University Of Kashmir, Islamic University of Science and Technology and the Central University Kashmir.
At UG level, Amar Singh College Srinagar, GDC Nawakadal, GDC Baramulla and GDC Anantnag offer the bachelor’s course while as GCW MA road provides integrated and honours programme in journalism.
Suhail Ahmed, HOD Journalism and Mass Communication, GCW MA road welcomes the launch of these courses especially MA in Digital Media as they will provide more flexible options to aspirants across India and help them in their specializations. “Not all students are able to secure admission in regular-mode in universities, this will open another option for such aspirants.”
Ahmed further hopes that employment prospects in the media sector improve in coming times so that the courses become more relevant.
Maleeha Sofi, currently pursuing an honours degree in Journalism from GCW MA road asserts the need to introduce such courses in regular mode by other universities. “Ours is a field that demands practical learning and on-ground experience, the distance mode may not be much help though.”
While remembering the outdated material provided by IGNOU during her diploma in creative writing, she said, “We can’t take such risks in a professional degree like Journalism.”
Hamid, a bachelor’s degree holder in Journalism believes that distance mode comes in aid to those who are working full time in the field but also want to continue their academics. “It will personally help me a credible degree while I also work.”
On being asked if Kashmir University plans any specializations in the particular course, Dean Academic Affairs told Rising Kashmir that as of now they shall continue with the general master’s course in Journalism.
On Sunday, last week IGNOU launched the open and distance mode programs in Journalism which include MA in Development Journalism, MA in Journalism and Electronic Media and MA in Journalism and Digital Media in addition to the PG Diploma in Advertising and Integrated Communication. The School is already running a generic master’s program in Journalism and Mass Communication throughout its regional centres.
