The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) is soon going to introduce a Ph.D program in Mass Communication in the upcoming academic session. This development follows IIMC’s elevation to a ‘deemed-to-be university’ status by the Union Ministry of Education in January 2024, empowering it to confer degrees, including doctorates.
Established in 1965 under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, IIMC has been instrumental in training media professionals and conducting research in journalism and mass communication. With its main campus in New Delhi and regional centers in Jammu, Amravati, Aizawl, Kottayam, and Dhenkanal, the institute has been offering postgraduate diploma courses in various media disciplines.
The introduction of the PhD program marks a significant milestone in IIMC’s academic evolution. “We have notified the rules for the PhD program, and we intend to launch the program from the coming academic year. It is a great responsibility and we are ready for it,” stated the Vice Chancellor of the IIMC, Anupama Bhatnagar.
The proposed PhD in Mass Communication is aimed at promoting advanced academic research and scholarly contributions to the field of media and communication. Faculty members with doctorates from top institutions and rich industry experience are expected to supervise the research work, ensuring a robust academic environment. Research themes may range from media ethics, policy and regulation, and digital journalism to health communication, political communication, and AI in media.
IIMC also recently made a transition to a ‘deemed university’, allowed it to now host full-fledged degree courses instead of just diploma programmes. The institute is exploring the possibility of lateral entry for students who have completed diploma programs, enabling them to pursue advanced degrees. The university also recently launched a couple of new masters programmes in August, those being Media Business Studies and Strategic Communication.
To support these academic expansions, IIMC has initiated infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of new academic buildings and the enhancement of existing facilities. The institute has also secured approvals for the recruitment of additional faculty members to maintain academic excellence.
The launch of the PhD and master’s programs is a landmark development for IIMC, which has long been regarded as the cradle of Indian media education. With a legacy of producing leading journalists, communication professionals, and policymakers, IIMC’s shift to a full-fledged university model marks a new era of academic excellence.
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With these developments, IIMC is poised to reinforce its position as a leading center for media education and research in India, offering comprehensive programs that cater to the dynamic landscape of mass communication.
