Jadavpur University's New MA programme in Mass Communication Violates UGC Rules

With the announcement of new programme i.e. MA in Journalism and Mass Communication programme in Jadavpur University situated in West Bengal, aspirants are all excited to join two-year degree course which is expected to begin from July 2017.

Although some of the faculty members and students have appreciated the efforts, the irregularities in eligibility norms criteria have annoyed students.

According to the notification released, only the students who have pursued BA are eligible for the master's course, this violates the UGC norms. As per the UGC regulations, the students from any stream whether it is B.Com, B.Sc or BA can apply for the master's course. But Jadavpur University’s notification reads that students with minimum 50 percent in their BA (Hons)/ (Major) can only apply.

Also Read: JNU Likely to Provide Engineering and Management Courses, Approval of UGC Pending

The late date to submit the application forms is June 9.

Earlier, the university has been offering postgraduate diploma course in Mass Communication. However, UGC rules also say that an institute can admit students in the professional course through lateral entry, which is the sole subject of the varsity without any interference of UGC.

Swantan Chatterjee, the head of the institute tried to deviate the matter saying that since it is a new course, there may be some breaches but it will be shaped according to the time.

Education Officer of UGC, Dr. Hemang A Desai said that UGC has not provided any guidelines regarding the working journalist quota or lateral entry, it depends only on the institute. However, the university can follow both the criteria to give admissions to the students interested in the Master's course degree in journalism and mass communication.

Also Read: Jadavpur University to Launch MA Programme in Journalism with 40 seats

Vice Chancellor of the University, Suranjan Das ensured that if any of the UGC rules are violated by the department, the institute will look into it. He also requested the students to send him a memorandum informing about any irregularities in the new Master's programme.

Arka Jyoti Pal, alumni of Jadavpur University said that introducing a master degree in Mass Communication is a great initiative but JU as a public university should allow the students from all streams to pursue mass communication. He added that internal politics in the management and personal agenda has got an important role while designing this course and there are some teachers relying on this master course for their personal achievements in the career rather than focusing on the students.