KC College’s Department of Mass media organised the 8th International Media Summit

Kishinchand Chellaram College, HSNC University, Mumbai, organised the eighth edition of its International Media Summit from 17-19 March, 2021. It is an annual international media conference organised by The Department of Mass Media for the last seven years. The theme of this year’s conference was Digital Media Literacy in 2021. Youth Incorporated supported the conference by being ‘Youth Media Partner’. Digital Media Literacy in 2021 was conceptualized as an initiative for theoretical research-oriented conference meetings that brought together various sectors and professionals engaged in the enterprise of media literacy, digitization and media. 

Speaking about this initiative, Dr. Hemlata Bagla, Principal, KC College, Sr. Dean Science and Technology, HSNC University and Hon. Director, KC College of management Studies said, “Science and technology has evolved in today’s world and brought platform transformation in the digital media. “The chief guest for the inauguration ceremony is Dr.  Niranjan Hiranandani, Provost, HSNC University Mumbai, Trustee, H(S)NC Board. He shed light upon due to pandemic, how digital platforms grew which led to blended learning which is adopted by students and teachers as well. The keynote address of the conference was delivered by Dr. Sanjay Dwivedi, Director General, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi. The keynote speaker threw light upon the importance of digitization and how the education institute should teach students about fact checking. 

Chief guest for the valedictory ceremony of the conference was, Mrs. Maya Shahani, Chairperson, Shahani Group, Trustee of the Thadomal Shahani Trust, Governor, H(S)NC Board. In her valedictorian address, Mrs. Shahani spoke about digital media literacy where it is indeed topical and more is needed to speak of. It is the ability to understand, analyse information. She also spoke about, how social media tools have evolved and in this information overload world, we are surrounded by fake news and one is prone to irrationality, prejudices and biases. 

A virtual film festival Talking, Frames, was on March 16, 2021 as a part of the Media Summit in association with Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and Shamiana Films, Mumbai. The films for the screenings are produced, directed and edited by the UG Students Film, Television and New Media Production (BAFTNMP) students of the reputed colleges of Mumbai. 

Pre – conference sessions of the media summit was conducted by Dr. GD Jayalakshmi, Associate Dean- Learning and Teaching School of Film and Television Arts Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, Dr. Michael Johnston, Associate Professor and Chair Department of Cinema, Television and Media Production, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, USA and Dr. Urszula Pruchniewska, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania on March 17, 2021.

Around 55 delegates presented their research papers in this three-day long conference. Papers on topic like news in media, media in business, digital platforms, etc were submitted. One of the highlights of the conference was interactive session with some of the best experts from Media industry such as Dr. Sue Sudbury, Dr. Sumit Narula, Dr. Aditee Vaidya, Mr. Suresh Gaur, Dr. Surbhi Dahiya, Ms. Smita Deshmukh, Ms. Harvinder Bindra.

The panel discussion with KC Alumni was an insightful session where the panellist discussed about the opportunities in Film, Media and Entertainment Industry and how Covid-19 has changed the work culture. 

The conference was an enriching experience as it provided students and participants a platform to interact and learn from the maestros of the media and education domain.

About Kishinchand Chellaram College and Department of Mass Media: 

KC College was established in 1954 under the aegis of the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board, H(S) NC Board. It won the ‘Best College, (Urban Area) Award’ by the University of Mumbai in January 2015. The college strongly believes in using innovative methods of learning for the benefit of its students. This is evident from the fact that The Department of Mass Media was listed among the Top 10 Mass Communication Departments in the country by the India Today magazine for seven times in the last ten years. The Department was also listed among the Top 10 Media Colleges by The Week magazine in 2019. In 2020, the Department of Mass Media was ranked among Top 5 emerging Mass Communication colleges in India by India Today Magazine. Keeping in view the increasing demand of media professionals, the department has been successfully offering undergraduate degree courses – Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication (BAMMC), Bachelor of Arts in Film, Television and New Media Production (BAFTNMP) and two, two-year Postgraduate Degree Programs Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism (MACJ) and Master of Arts in Entertainment, Media and Advertising (MA-EMA).

For more details, you may contact us on: kccbmm@gmail.com 

KC college website: www.kccollege.edu.in