Banepa, February 2:

The Kathmandu University (KU), Department of Languages and Mass Communication (LMC), launched Bachelor in Media Studies, a four-year programme, in Dhulikhel today.

Speaking at the programme, editor of Nepali Times, Kunda Dixit, said, “At a time when world media is converging fast with fast-growing technologies, the launch of the programme is very exciting.”

Pointing at the lack of training institutes despite “remarkable development in all forms of media”, Dr Suresh Raj Sharma, vice-chancellor of the KU, said: “Keeping in view the significant role played by media in empowering and educating people, we have introduced an IT-friendly programme. The programme is designed to produce manpower of international standards.

Dr Larry Starzyk, Fulbright professor at the KU, addressed the newly-enrolled students in the four-year programme.

Sijan Raj Baral, a faculty member of the Media Studies department, said the KU LMC will be established as one of the media centres in Kavre. It will support local media and conduct research on social sciences, he said.

Seventeen students have enrolled at the eight-semester programme, which encompasses Nepali and English languages, Nepali Studies, Social Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Statistics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Computer, group activities, workshops, projects, summer training, internship and dissertation.