Jamshedpur, May 21: The mass communication and video production department of Karim City College (an affiliated unit of Ranchi University) has decided to add new infrastructure.

The latest facilities would include an audio-visual library, a shooting floor and an industry-grade studio. Usually, institutions teaching mass communication have one studio, but Karim City College would have three separate studios, for shooting, editing and audio production, which are on the verge of completion.

“The department aims to develop innovative and responsible professionals through education, training, research and advocacy,” said Neha Tiwari, head of the department of the college.

Sponsored by UGC and affiliated to Ranchi University, the course was started in 1997-98. The studios would be centrally-air-conditioned. The shooting floor would have multiple camera facility with a number of S-VHS cameras, handycams and hi-band U-matic cameras. The latest digital camera, the DX-35 VTR, costing Rs 12 lakh, would be used to reach industry-grade production.

The shooting floor has been set up with latest equipment to teach the students about shooting and light arrangement. The editing studio has around 12 computers and the college would offer linear and non-linear editing system with matrix capture card.

“With these resources of technology and training facilities, the students will be transformed into real professionals,” said Tiwari. The library will have a collection of informative books on mass communication and video production. A video library, stocked up with VCDs and DVDs of awarded and acclaimed films of national and international repute, is almost complete.

Mohammad Shakeel, a first-year student, said: “The gamut of programmes suit individual requirements and pockets. We are glad and thankful that the department has come up with such latest facilities that will benefit the students”.

Tiwari added that Karim City College would be the first institution to introduce this course in Jharkhand. The course would focus on exposing students to field training in journalism, managing internet websites, assisting in production of feature films, making personal documentary films, organising film festivals and event management training.

The departmental head said: “Our interdisciplinary character is in tune with the job scenario in the media world. Apart from news and entertainment, our new agenda also includes teaching production, planning, executing, packaging, advertising, marketing, software development, animation and event management.”

Vinay Kumar Mishra, another mass communication student, said: “We are constantly being nourished with guest lectures by eminent media personalities of Jamshedpur.”

Siddharth Ojha, another student, said: “We are very excited about the department’s renovation and we see a bright future ahead”.