VSEF to set up NIMCaR near Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: The Vishwa Samvad Education Foundation (VSEF) unveiled its Vision 2021, under which the National Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism (NIMCJ) will be transformed into the National Institute of Media, Communication and Research (NIMCaR), at a glittering function at Ahmedabad Management Association on Saturday.

Padma Shri Awardee Film & Television actor Manoj Joshi was the Chief Guest, and Gujarat University VC Dr Himanshu Pandya the Guest of Honour, at the unveiling function attended by several dignitaries from fields of media, education, and industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradip Jain, Managing Trustee of Vishwa Samvad Education Foundation said that a lot of research and thought has gone into NIMCaR.

“We visited premier institutes in India and US to understand what they are doing, and what we can learn from them and offer at NIMCaR. This will reflect when NIMCaR takes off,” Jain said in his address.

Jain said that NIMCaR will not only offer the best courses in the field of mass communication and journalism, but will also make research one of its focus areas. He said that a Newseum or Media Museum, showing the past and present of media through virtual media, will be set up at the Institute.

Addressing the august gathering, GU VC Himanshu Pandya, said, “I am happy that an institute is taking shape which will not ready just reporters or newsmakers, but communicators. As a communicator, your responsibility is to convey a strong message of what is happening, but with sensitivity.”

In his address, Padma Shri Awardee and Actor Manoj Joshi said that communicators can give a new direction to the country, and this is the Mission of Vision 2021.

“The media and media professionals have an important role to play in not just disseminating information, but also in nation-building,” Joshi said.

Outlining VSEF’s Vision 2021, Dr Shirish Kashikar, Director, NIMCJ said, “The Knowledge Yatra of NIMCJ started in 2007, and will reach the next level in next two years in the shape of NIMCaR. NIMCJ has been placed among top mass communication institutes in the country in the last two years, and Vision 2021 is a reflection of the future journey of the same qualitative education.”

NIMCaR is being established to keep pace with rapid expansion of media industry in India, by equipping budding media professionals with the right skillset and latest technological knowhow.

NIMCaR started shaping into reality with the laying of its foundation stone on February 7, 2019. Its campus is coming up at Hajipur village in Kalol taluka of Gandhinagar. The sprawling 5-acre campus will keep in mind dynamic needs of the core curriculum, and will be equipped with an advanced studio, Media Research Centre, Media Museum, Computer Lab, Library, Auditorium, Community Radio and other facilities in its bid to transform media and communication education.

The Vishwa Samvad Education Foundation has formed a National Advisory Council, comprising renowned media professionals, mentors, and academicians, to steer implementation of the NIMCaR project. The Council is headed by economist and RBI director S Gurumurthy

VSEF started National Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism (NIMCJ) in 2007, which offers Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC), and also PG Diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism (PGDMCJ).