The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Dhenkanal and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) Kolkata have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly work towards enhancing the quality and reach of media education in India. The collaboration will focus on research, training, workshops, student exchange, and content development in fields like journalism, film, television and digital media. With this MoU, both institutions aim to give students and media professionals more practical exposure and learning opportunities.

I felt the need to write about this because the media landscape in India is changing fast and students entering this field need better training than ever before. Often, we see a gap between classroom learning and actual industry requirements. When reputed institutions like IIMC and SRFTI decide to work together, it sets the stage for stronger academic and creative foundations. This move also shows that media education is no longer just about theory—it’s about skills, practice and keeping up with new trends. If implemented well, this partnership can benefit not just students of these two institutions but also shape the future of Indian media training.

What the MoU Between IIMC and SRFTI Means

The MoU signed between IIMC Dhenkanal and SRFTI Kolkata focuses on collaboration in the fields of media, communication and film education. Both institutions have their own unique strengths—while IIMC has a strong reputation in journalism and communication, SRFTI is a national-level institute known for film and television training.

By combining these strengths, the two institutes plan to offer students and faculty better resources, improved training modules and wider exposure.

Key Areas of Collaboration

Here are some of the major areas where both institutions will work together:

• Joint Workshops and Seminars: Experts from both institutes will conduct sessions on journalism, filmmaking, OTT content, digital storytelling and more.
• Student Exchange Programmes: Selected students will get a chance to attend courses or projects at the partner institute, helping them understand different styles of learning.
• Faculty Collaboration: Teachers from IIMC and SRFTI will jointly design course modules and even teach at each other’s campuses.
• Content Production: Students will get hands-on experience in creating short films, documentaries and news content using shared equipment and guidance.
• Research and Innovation: Focus will also be given to research projects that study media trends, audience behaviour and content impact.

Why This Is a Big Deal for Students

As someone who has followed Indian media education for a while, I can say this kind of collaboration is rare but very useful. Students of journalism often miss out on visual storytelling skills, while film students may not get enough grounding in real-world reporting or communication theory. This MoU aims to bridge that gap.

For example, a journalism student from IIMC can now get hands-on training in camera work and editing at SRFTI, while a film student at SRFTI may attend media ethics workshops or write for public service journalism projects with IIMC students. This exchange of knowledge and experience is what makes this partnership meaningful.

Reactions and Next Steps

According to officials from both institutes, the plan is to begin collaborative activities from the coming academic session itself. They will start with a few short-term workshops and then gradually introduce long-term programmes.

The move has been welcomed by both faculty and students, who see it as a much-needed step in making media education more practical, updated and career-focused.