Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal

Location

The institute is located in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha, approximately 80 km away from Bhubaneswar, the state's capital. Dhenkanal was a former princely state in British India, which merged with the Indian Union after India got its independence in 1947. It became a part of the East Indian state of Odisha in 1948.

Institution

The institute, known for its media studies and research in Mass Communication, offers post graduate diploma courses in English and Oriya Journalism. It also conducts a number of specialized short-term courses and workshops to meet the training needs of media personnel working in the government and public sectors. Each year, the institute conducts an all-India entrance examination before selecting 62 students for its post graduate course in English and 23 students for its Oriya journalism course. It is connected by both rail and road (NH42). It is one of the six branches of Indian Institute of Mass Communication.It is the oldest branch after IIMC New Delhi.It is a fully Wi-Fi campus.

The institute provides training, research and consultancy services for the central and state governments, public sector undertakings, universities as well as foreign institutions and international agencies. In the past, the institute has conducted assessment studies for the State AIDS cell and for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on non-governmental organizations working for tribal communities.

The IIMC has often been ranked one of the best colleges in India.

Infrastructure

The 7.5 acre campus is situated on the valley of Paniohala (meaning Hanging Water in Oriya) hill commands a majestic view. The eco-friendly campus has a rainwater harvesting system in place. The institute has three buildings: Academic Block, Administrative Block and Auditorium Block.

Academic Block

Academic block has classrooms for English and Odia Journalism. Besides that, it has Computer lab, Video lab for TV News, Audio lab for Radio news, Internet room. Mind Space is conceptual place in the academic block where students have general discussion on their assignments and news preparation.Library is also a part of this block.

Library

Library has more than 5,000 books on different aspects of mass communication and allied subjects. Subjects such as print media, broadcasting, advertising, communication, communication research, public relations, radio and television, film and traditional media are adequately covered. The Library also stocks some books on the allied fields such as economics, political science, international relations, sociology, philosophy, history, psychology, biography, Hindi, English and Odia literature, Odia journalism and current affairs. Library also subscribes periodicals and news papers for the benefit of the students.

Administrative Block

Head of the Institute and other officials sits in this block. Conference room is also a part of this block.

Audio and Video Block

It is the most creative block as it consists of Spandan; the auditorium, Ankur; the development studies corner,Digital Library, Media Museum and reading room. Reading room is full of weekly magazines and periodicals. It remains open on Saturdays for students. The most creative part of this block is Media Museum where many regional and national newspapers’ copies are kept for exhibition along with some old camera model, old radio and TV sets and computers.

Admission Procedure

Admission is done by a separate entrance test for English, Hindi and Oriya, and for Advertisement and Public Relations, conducted by IIMC, New Delhi. The admission notification generally issued in the month of February and the entrance exam is conducted in the month of May. Results are announced in a month time. Institute functions from Monday to Friday except on central government holidays.

Academic session

Institute starts its academic session in late July or early August. The PGDMC programme runs in of two semesters: first session from August to December and second session January to April. First session exams are held in December itself and second session exams are held in the month of April. There are two semester breaks: the mid-semester break of one week during Durga Puja (Dussehera) and second break again for a week in December after first semester examination.

Health facilities

Institute has doctor on call facility. However, the doctor visits the campus every Tuesday for check up of students.

Internship and placement

Since 1993, institute has produced more than 1000 media professionals within a short span of time of 20 years. Students of this institute are working successfully in mainstream and alternative media all over the world in print, television, radio and new media domain. The institute provides students with 4 weeks internship in related media organizations i.e. English and Oriya news organizations. Campus placement camps are also organized.

Hostel and mess

Institute provides hostel facility, both for boys and girls. It has 15 rooms in boys’ hostel, i.e. 'Brahmaputra' and 20 rooms in girls’ hostel, i.e. 'Mahanadi'. Both Brahmputra and Mahandi have guest rooms for parents. Parents are allowed to stay for not more than two days. A room is allotted to only two students. Both hostels have in built messes to provide students with safe and hygienic food. There is common hall-cum-room in both hostels with Television and indoor playing equipment like Carom and Table Tennis. There are also some gym equipment for students.

Magazine

Institute's first e-magazine "The IIMC Reporter" was published in the year 2009-10. After this, every year, the magazine was published at the end of the session by students.

Playground

Since it is located just adjacent to the forest and hills, there is no big playgrounds. But there is a court for badminton and volleyball. Students used to play football in the open space in campus as there is no dedicated football ground.

Head

Currently, Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee is professor and head of the Institution. He is serving the institution since 1999.

Academic officers

Dr. Mrinal Chaterjee, Professor,

Jitendra Pati, IT Head

Badreenath Jena, A/V Incharge

Administrative Staff

Kedarnath Jena, Section Officer

Laxmi Narayan Mishra, Jr. Steno

Sudhansu Kumar Mishra LDC

Subhankari Das, Library In-charge, Mahanadi Hostel Warden