Delhi School of Communication
Promoted and managed by an academic council comprising industrialists, academics and communication industry professionals, DSC has an enviable 100 percent placement record
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| Class in session at DSC: enviable reputation |
Established in 1995, the Delhi School of Communication (DSC) has acquired an enviable reputation as one of the finest communications and media training institutes in the national capital. Sited in south Delhi on a compact state-of-the-art campus, DSC offers a slew of specialised postgraduate courses in media management, communications and marketing to 70 students. The rationale underpinning the institute’s holistic curriculum is to provide students a comprehensive understanding of contemporary mass media and marketing.
Promoted and managed by an academic council comprising industrialists, academics, communications industry professionals and researchers (Sanjeev Bikchandani, CEO of Naukri.com, Prof. Amrish Sahgal, managing director of Unicorn, Murad Ali Baig, well-known public relations consultant among others), DSC is an autonomous institute with a faculty of ten full-time professors drawn from a group of carefully selected media professionals. The school also has a substantive visiting faculty mainly from mainstream print and electronic media.
"There’s been a virtual explosion in the field of communications over the past decade. Job opportunities in print and broadcast journalism, public relations and events management are multiplying. Even media marketing has emerged as a vibrant vocation. DSC was promoted with the objective of training people for vocations in this booming media and commu-nications industry," says Prof. Ramola Kumar, a business management alumna of the University of Ottawa (Canada) and former coordinator of the Times School of Marketing run by The Times of India group.
According to Kumar, who also headed IMT Ghaziabad, a business school in Uttar Pradesh, the aggregate annual advertising spend in India has escalated from Rs.2,000 crore in 1998 to Rs.15,000 crore in 2004 and is expected to peak to Rs.20,000 crore by 2007. "This jump in ad spending will open up numerous vistas for communications professionals and our school will play a crucial role in training personnel in this field," says Kumar.
DSC offers a two-year postgrad diploma programme in communications (PGDPC) and a three-year graduate programme in communication and business management (GPCBM). Areas of specialisation include communications and general management, marketing, advertising and journalism. Each academic year comprises two semesters — the autumn semester starting mid-July and winter semester beginning December. DSC graduates find employment in advertising, market research, print and electronic media, public relations, events management, print and television journalism, and the rapidly growing service industries.
A distinguishing feature of the study programmes designed by the DSC faculty are its apprenticeship programmes. As the school’s curriculum accords equal weightage to theory and hands-on experience, students have to apprentice with a marketing, advertising or communications corporate. There are two apprenticeships (afternoon placement from 2.30 p.m- 6.30 p.m.) and two internships (full time placements for four-12 weeks per annum) available to students during the duration of their study programmes. In the former while mornings are chalked out for classroom study, afternoons are for acquiring practical experience in a media organisation. Consequently each DSC student undergoes two apprenticeships in any one of the following fields — media marketing, journalism, advertising, public relations or market research.
Thus far DSC students have apprenticed (and earn an average monthly stipend of Rs.3,000) with blue-chip media companies and ad agencies such as the Indian Market Research Bureau, Publicis India, Leo Burnett, NDTV, Bennett Coleman & Co, Zee TV, Euro RSCG, McCann Erickson, etc.
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| Ramola Kumar |
"The rationale behind DSC’s rigorous apprentice programme is to ensure students acquire thorough experience of workplace environments and organisational cultures. We want our students to be well informed and industry-ready when they graduate from this institute," says Kumar, who adds that DSC accords special emphasis to giving personal attention to each student. "We admit only 35 students each year and hence the total strength of the school is 70. Therefore each year, approximately 35 students graduate from the school."
To keep abreast of latest developments in the media and communications industries, DSC offers students a well-stocked library offering more than 500 titles, several CDs, assorted encyclopedias, 50 national and international magazines and a large collection of feature films from around the world. In addition, there is a computer lab, ten classrooms equipped with power point projectors and television screens, an administrative department, an executive room, and a browser’s room with a café for students to chill out.
Moreover DSC has an enviable 100 percent placement record. Among the companies which have recruited its students are Indian Market Research Bureau, JWT, Publicis India, Euro RSCG Lowe, Leo Burnett, NDTV, McCann Erickson, Aaj Tak, Miditech, STAR TV, Sony TV, CEAT, HCL, Perfect Relations, Voltas, Rediffusion DY&R, Madison, Group M, Mudra Communication, RAMS and Microsoft.
Given this widespread endorsement of DSC graduates by ad agencies and media companies, there is great pressure on the management to increase the annual intake and/ or offer more study programmes. "Though we are not looking at increasing our student intake, we are drawing up plans to offer part-time study programmes in media management and a full time BBA in communication. The part-time programme will be immensely useful for working media professionals to upgrade their skills," says Kumar.
Admission & fees
The Delhi School of Communication offers a two-year postgrad diploma programme in communications (PGDPC) and a three-year graduate programme in communications and business management (GPCBM). Areas of specialisation include:
Communications & general management: Advertising, public relations, journalism, cultural studies, mass communications, marketing management, events management, managerial economics, entrepreneurship
Marketing: Consumer behaviour, brand management, competitive marketing, direct marketing, international marketing & WTO
Advertising: Copywriting, layout & design, film production, multimedia & e-business, advertising research
Journalism: Editorial, broadcasting, journalism & law, newspaper management, news writing
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree holders in any field can apply. The selection procedure comprises an aptitude and psychological test, a group discussion and an interview.
Tuition fee: Rs.1.49 lakh per year
For further information contact Delhi School of Communication, 321/2, IGNOU Road, Neb Sarai, New Delhi 110068. Ph: 011-29531556. www.thedelhischoolofcommunication.com.
Neeta Lal (Delhi)
Cardiff University, UK
With an enrollment of 22,000 students tutored by a 5,000-strong faculty and an annual revenue of £350 million (Rs.2,940 crore), the university has the size and span of a world class research and teaching-learning institution
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| Cardiff campus vista: merger dividends |
With the merger of Cardiff University and the University of Wales College of Medicine in August last year, the new entity is rated among the top ten varsities in the UK. Boasting an enrollment of 22,000 students tutored by a 5,000-strong faculty and an annual revenue of £350 million (Rs.2,940 crore), the university’s management believes it has the size and span of expertise to establish itself as a world class research and teaching-learning institution. The merger is already paying dividends. Cardiff University has attracted an investment of £10.8 million (Rs.90.7 crore) bringing state-of-the-art brain imaging facilities to Wales. The dedicated use of these facilities for brain research will be unique in the UK. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, Cardiff is ranked seventh among more than 100 varsities and colleges in the most recent independent assessment of research capabilities. The Research Assessment Exercise awarded seven of the university’s research areas the prestigious 5* rating with 17 being given Grade 5 ranking. This high quality of research contributes significantly to the quality of teaching at undergrad and postgrad levels. Twenty one subject areas have been given an ‘excellent’ rating by the Higher Education Funding Council.
Comments David Grant, vice-chancellor of Cardiff University: "There are a number of factors that make this a particularly exciting and dynamic period in the history of the university. These include the merging of activities with the University of Wales College of Medicine; increasing recognition of the high quality of our teaching and research; and the continuing development of the capital city of which we are privileged to be part. Through the efforts of dedicated and talented staff, the university has established itself as a progressive and successful centre of higher education and earned its current position among the front rank of British universities. Our success serves further to fuel our ambition as we increase our service to society — locally, nationally and internationally."
Cardiff’s 28 academic and four graduate schools are organised into two colleges — the Wales College of Medicine, Biology, Life and Health Sciences and the College of Humanities and Sciences. Together they offer more than 350 degree programmes including single honours, joint honours, extended undergrad and sandwich degree qualifications.
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ardiff. The capital of Wales, Cardiff (pop. 300,000) has been repeatedly voted as Britain’s No.1 city in terms of quality of life. Two hours from London by rail, this coastal city features ultra-modern office blocks harmonising with buildings existing from Cardiff’s great industrial era. The former docklands and industrial areas have now been recreated as the new commercial and domestic development of Cardiff Bay, one of Europe’s most exciting waterfront developments.The city is also one of Britain’s most successful retail centres. Modern shopping complexes and pedestrianised shopping streets merge seamlessly into indoor and outdoor markets featuring a network of glass-canopied Victorian and Edwardian shopping centres. Cardiff’s green spaces — 330 parks and gardens — reach right into the heart of the city, with the extensive areas of peaceful parklands and gardens close to the university.
Cardiff weather can be wild and woolly, with high rainfall levels, even in the warmer months. While summer maximums may breach the 30°C mark, winter minimums rarely dip below freezing.
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ampus facilities. The university is based in and around Cardiff’s beautiful civic centre, amidst parks, Portland-stone buildings and tree-lined avenues, contiguous with the National Museum and Gallery and other civic buildings. The computing and library services of the university are provided by over 20 libraries and computer rooms conveniently located close to academic schools in addition to 12 modern resource centres. The libraries together offer a million books and journals, a vast collection of CD-ROMs, electronic information resources and internet access. There are three main sport centres across the university campus: the Talybont sports centre (including a multiple-purpose sports hall offering several indoor sports and outdoor facilities such as tennis courts); Park Place Fitness and Racquets centre (facilities include six squash courts, a fitness suite, aerobics studio and tanning room), and the Llanrumney playing fields (33 acres of first class grass pitches and four county standard wickets).
The Cardiff Students Union provides for all aspects of student life within a purpose-built complex. Facilities include restaurants, fast-food outlets, a general shop, university bookshop, satellite television, full banking and insurance services, print shop and a travel advice centre. Moreover the students’ union has over 100 student clubs and societies, including a number of societies specifically for international students.
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dmission. All applications for admission into Cardiff’s undergrad programmes must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The minimum eligibility criterion is successful completion of Plus Two/ class XII (above 60 percent average). Moreover applicants whose first language is not English must write the TOEFL or IELTS examinations. Students can obtain a UCAS form from their local British Council office or UCAS, Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ, United Kingdom (e-mail: enq@ucas.com; website: www.ucas.com). Students can apply to a maximum of six institutions and/ or courses through UCAS. The institution code for Cardiff is C15. Applications for postgraduate degree programmes have to be made directly to the university. For further information write to the International Office, Cardiff University, PO Box 997 42, Park Palace, Cardiff CF10 3ZN; e-mail: international@cardiff.ac.uk; website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/international. Education consultants in ten Indian cities also represent Cardiff and provide all information on admission and tuition fees.
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ccommodation. Cardiff guarantees housing to all single international students. With 12 halls of residence and student houses there are several options to choose from. Currently Cardiff University can accommodate 4,700 students on and off campus. Seventy five percent of university accommodation comprises individual study/ bedrooms with their own showers and toilets. Other features include well-equipped kitchens and on-site recreational facilities such as a sports centre, gym, shop, launderette and social centre/ bar. There are two fully catered halls of residence — the University and Aberdare halls — which provide breakfast and evening meals Monday to Friday. The self-catering halls provide a kitchen and other facilities.
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egree programmes. Cardiff University offers more than 350 degree schemes and a modular system that provides choice and flexibility. Options include the traditional honours degree, a joint honours degree which allows study of two major subjects, and sandwich schemes which incorporate an extra year spent in acquiring industrial/ work experience. Moreover Cardiff also offers extended undergrad study programmes often designated Masters degrees. These extended under-grad schemes involve an extra year of academic study and in many cases include a more substantial research project.
Scholastic options at Cardiff
Cardiff’s 28 academic schools and four graduate schools offer a wide range of academic subjects. They include:
Academic schools. Architecture, biosciences, business (including economics), chemistry, city and regional planning, computer science, dentistry, earth, ocean and planetary science, engineering, English, communication and philosophy, European studies, healthcare studies, history and archaeology, journalism, media and cultural studies, law, lifelong learning, mathematics, nursing and midwifery, optometry and vision sciences, pharmacy, physics and astronomy, medicine, music, postgraduate medical and dental education, psychology, religious and theological studies, social sciences (including criminology and education), Welsh
Graduate schools. Humanities, social sciences, biomedical and life sciences, physical sciences and engineering
Bill of costs (annual)
Tuition fees
Arts £8,250
Science £10,620
MBA £14,700
Living expenses (incl. accommodation) £7,700
NB £=Rs.85
Summiya Yasmeen