Kathmandu:

A confident personality with an inquisitive nature, the desire to know and tell people the truth, or share ideas, or an interest in the latest fashion scenario, or an interest in environment, technology or in culture and tradition... the scope is limitless for those with a flair for writing for papers or a doing a presentation before the camera.

If you think media and mass communication is where your career lies, then there is a world of opportunities. You just need to know how to prepare yourself academically for this.

There are a number of colleges that are offering journalism and mass communication courses. If you believe media is your destination, then there is nothing better than learning the fundamentals of your skill.

College of Journalism And Mass Communication

The College Of Journalism And Mass Communication was established in 2002 and is affiliated to Purbanchal University. The college offers courses for Bachelors and Masters levels.

Dr Manju Mishra is the Founder/Director of the college, who did her PhD in Nepali Journalism from Moscow. After studying and working in different media organisations in Moscow for 18 years, she came back to Nepal in 1998.

Many students who have passed out from the college are working in media houses. According to Mishra, “The future of people who wish to work in the media sector is bright specially after loktantra. It depends on one’s commitment, sincerity and dedication to the profession. Besides this INGOs require Communication Officers and other people.”

They emphasise on both Theory and Practical knowledge. For Bachelor’s level, the course has been designed as follows — Mass Communication Theory and Practices, Research, Film Studies, Advertising and Marketing, Field Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Photo Jouranlism, Regional Conflict, Conflict Management and Peace Building, Human Rights and Democracy.

For the Master’s Level, the course is Research Methodology, Public Relations, Media Management, Media and Gender, Reporting, Editing, Media Law and Thesis.

Students from any stream can apply for both levels. (The above mentioned is just a brief and does not include the entire syllabus.)

A new course Master’s in Development Communication has also been started since 2006.

The faculty includes qualified professors working in different leading media houses.

The college also offers exchange programmes for the following — Communication University of China — scholarship for two students for Bachelors level students;

Lahore University — scholarship for two for Master’s level; Oslo University — one student from Master’s Level.

It is also a sub-partner with Bangladesh Drik Pictures Library, funded by Norway Fredscopset. They plan to work with other international universities also.

Another major achievement of the college is that it is running its own radio station, a first of its kind, CJMC Community Radio (CJMC FM 106 megahertz).

Kantipur City College

Kantipur City College was started in 2000 and offers various programmes for Bachelors and Masters levels. The college is affiliated to Purbanchal University. It is currently offering Master of Arts, Mass Communication and Journalism (MA MCJ).

Sailesh Jha, coordinator at the college says, “We provide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) based curriculum. And we also focus on providing students with latest IT and ICT tool based education so that they can be techno-savvy, which is very essential in today’s media world.”

The study is practically oriented which is more than 60 per cent lab-based. Besides the theoretical classes, emphasis is given to field work, research and thesis. The reports one prepares after each semester determines the credits of the students.

The course structure is as follows — Mass Communication Theory and Practices, Modern Journalism, Electronic Media, Research, Comparative Study, Advertisement, Multi Media Application, Media Management, SAARC Media Practices, Broadcast Journalism, Publications, Marketing. (This does not include the entire syllabus).

They have plans to collaborate with various international colleges and offer exchange programmes to their students.

Other colleges offering MassCom

• Himalayan White House International College (+2, Bachelors)

• Campion College (Bachelors)

• Gyanodaya College (+2)

• Brookfield International College (+2)

• Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus (Bachelors and Masters)

• Sagarmatha College for Higher Studies (Bachelors)

• Shepherd College of Media Technology (Bachelors)

• Noel Academy HS School and College (+2)

• Orient College (+2, planning to start Bachelors this year)