The department of Journalism and Mass Communication came into existence in May, 1984 with the introduction of One-year Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) with the student intake of 20.  The course continued till 1991.  With the appointment of two full-time faculty, the department started one-year Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a student intake of 12.  Simultaneously, a Ph.D. programme was started in the department.  The department was the first to have a Ph.D. programme in the country by admitting five students on full-time and part-time basis respectively.  Dr. P.Bobby Vardhan, Dr. D.V.R.Murty and Dr.Ramakrishna Challa have been awarded Ph.D. Degrees in Journalism.  The one-year programme of BJMC was discontinued in 1999 by introducing 2 year MJMC programme.  The department allocated few seats to working journalists on self-finance basis in the MJMC.

CURRICULUM REVISION

      Keeping in view the changes in the media scenario, the department is offering subjects like print journalism, electronic journalism, advertising and public relations.  However, the department kept pace with the changing needs of society and introduced new subjects.  The students were also sent to media institutions for on-hand training and exposure to new inputs.
Therefore, the syllabus was revised four times during these 16 years.  At present, the department is offering semester system with a view to strengthen the student involvement in the academic issues such as seminars, discussions, practical training including guiding the students in bringing out lab journals to make them equip with professional skills.

SOCIAL RELEVANCE

      The courses offered in the department are beneficial to students in terms of employment and are useful to society.  With the fast developing information dissemination system, properly trained personnel in an academic institution play a vital role in a society.  Information dissemination must act with responsibility in development.  In view of these advantages, the courses have been found very useful.

STUDENT PLACEMENT

      Since the inception of the department, the students have found good placement in various media organizations as well as government organizations.  The students have occupied executive positions, running the editorial offices as well as television production centers.

INDUSTRY-DEPARTMENT LINKAGE

      The faculty of the department, who worked as journalists earlier continue to interact with the media as well as organizations.  On many issues, the help of the Department was sought.  The services of the faculty are utilized by the media for training their personnel and other needs.  Government departments like Public Relations, TV unit of Information and Public Relations, Indian Railways have been utilizing the expertise of the department.

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