Mudra communication school plans more seats, new courses

Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad (MICA) intends to expand in 2006.

Atul Tandon, director of MICA, said, "Keeping in mind the industry's demand for professionals in the communication management industry, MICA intends to double the intake of students in its flagship post-graduate programme in communication management."

The IT revolution has impacted all industries and the business of communication is no exception.

"The communication industry has been successful in striking a balance by utilising ever-improving technologies and yet retaining the key factor of creative thinking that still make it an art. Our graphics design and animation courses are proof of that," he said.

Use of new technology does not mean giving up on existing skills "� it only means finding better and more efficient ways of getting a job done, he added.

The current generation of students may be techno savvy but should not lack culture and values, he said in explanation.

New courses in the offing include courses at the EDC (Entrepreneurship Development Centre) which attempts to create job makers rather than job seekers.

A training programme has already commenced from mid-December this year.

Another programme in the pipeline is the training programme in HIV/AIDS communications management.

Commenting on the in-house community radio, Atul said the MICAVAANI in-house community radio attempts to educate people living around MICA in a radius of 5km.

It is a student run community radio with programming content designed specifically for local audience of nearby villages.

The villagers are encouraged to take part in it.

The students regularly go out to these villages and get them to take part in this effort to increase awareness levels.

MICA was formed as a reply to certain fundamental changes taking place in the Indian economy.

Fourteen years down the line, the institute has left its mark amongst its stakeholders - industry, academia, and young aspiring graduates seeking a professional career opportunity in the integrated marketing communications sector of the Indian economy.

The year 2005 witnessed many accolades for MICA.

The institute won Addy awards -2005, instituted in the US to reward creative excellence.

MICA also won at AIMA's 14th Business School year for the second consecutive year at the paper presentation in 2005.

Besides, it won the Business Case study award at Great Lakes Institute of Management at Chennai this year and several other awards instituted by FMS, Delhi and other B-schools across the country.

Privatization of education is one way to ensure that quality education is provided to the society on its own terms, according to Tandon.

Commenting on the education scenario in Gujarat, he said, "Paradoxically, while the state boasts of some reputed institutions for higher learning, primary and secondary education is lagging as compared to other progressive states."

However, he added, "The situation is fast improving and I am sure that the state will rank alongside the best over time".

There is a realisation that to succeed in today's socio-economic paradigms, a sound grounding is necessary and more and more Gujaratis are finding their way to institutes of repute.