Bhubaneswar- Aiming to expand the frontiers of media education, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, have formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement was signed on Monday at the SRFTI campus and is expected to open new doors for academic collaboration, research, and professional skill development in the field of mass communication and media.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Sukanta Mazumdar, Dean of SRFTI, and Prof. Anand Pradhan, Regional Director of IIMC Dhenkanal. The event also witnessed the presence of Dr. Nimish Rustagi, Registrar and Additional Director General of IIMC, Deepak Singh, Registrar of SRFTI, and senior faculty members including Prof. Chandan Goswami and Prof. Sudipta Bhowmick from the EDM Wing of SRFTI.
Vice Chancellor of IIMC, Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, conveyed her appreciation to the Dhenkanal campus and stressed the importance of such academic collaborations in enriching both learning and teaching experiences.
Prof. Anand Pradhan highlighted that the partnership between IIMC and SRFTI, both operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is a step toward creating a dynamic learning environment. He mentioned that this collaboration would encourage creative exchange, research initiatives, and opportunities for professional advancement for both students and faculty members.
Dr. Nimish Rustagi shared that the MoU will facilitate a wide range of activities such as joint academic programs, research projects, skill-based short-term courses, and shared access to facilities and expertise. He emphasized that the goal is to broaden the scope of media education while preparing students for real-world challenges in the evolving landscape of communication and storytelling.
Prof. Mazumdar expressed confidence in the potential of the collaboration, citing the complementary strengths of SRFTI and IIMC as a strong foundation for innovation. He noted that the focus will be on practical, industry-relevant education that supports entrepreneurship and creativity in journalism, cinema, and digital media.
Students in journalism, filmmaking, and digital storytelling are expected to be among the primary beneficiaries of this initiative, which promotes interdisciplinary exposure and familiarity with both traditional and emerging tools of communication.
The MoU represents IIMC Dhenkanal’s continued efforts to establish impactful academic networks that benefit students across Odisha and the wider eastern region, contributing to the advancement of media and communication education nationwide.
