Ms. Audrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Mass Communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Delhi University and a Master's in Mass Communication and Journalism from the National Institute of Mass Communication. She has also completed a certification course in Child Psychology and a course in Spanish from the Instituto Hispania.

National Institute of Mass Communication

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

I am new to this world of teaching, and what I feel is the learning outcome that should be focused on. I am currently working as a faculty member at the National Institute of Mass Communication. My constant research into different aspects of mass communication keeps me connected to the education sector.

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

The philosophy of leadership is to instill leadership qualities in students. As an educator, I believe leadership qualities should be instilled through regular interaction with students. Leadership qualities come with time, and I instil my leadership qualities through three important tasks, by staying updated with anything that is new in the field of mass communication. In the classroom structure, giving all my students an equal training opportunity, focusing on their learning outcomes and making teaching patterns and pedagogy unique in the mundane classroom structure will teach the students to be leaders.

How does the curriculum of your institute ensure the best practice of industry?

Our institute not only has a well-designed curriculum but also reviews it on a regular basis. Our institute has a curriculum that focuses on 70% practical training and 30% theory. We make an ideal amalgamation of theory and practise, so a student gets the best of both worlds.

What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

The top priority of the university, over the next ten years, is to create leaders, and the most important part is to create lucrative courses that fulfill the needs of the current times. The top priority is to make our students flourish in their careers.

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When you first came to your institute, what was your vision for the university? Has it evolved over time, and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

When I first came to the institute, I had a vision of providing practical training and knowledge to students. I also have the aspiration to grow as an educator and impart training and knowledge to my students. My vision was to create trained media professionals who are not only confident about themselves but also have a foundation ready for their professional lives ahead

What would you like people to know about your university they may not know?

I would like people to know that our university not only gives a strong, validated degree but also an enriched curriculum that all students will benefit from. Our institute gives a consolidated platform to all aspiring media professionals who want to be successful and efficient professionals.

What do you see as the university’s greatest strengths? 

Our institute’s greatest strength is our lucrative curriculum, which is always revised as per the requirements in the professional world. The quality of education at our institute is our top priority, and it is pertinent to us. We train our students through our well-experienced faculty and ensure that a strong knowledge base is created for everyone. Thirdly, in our institute, we have a student-friendly environment where any issue, be it personal or professional, is addressed and taken very seriously. Another priority is ensuring placement opportunities for all our students. We take our job placements very seriously, and we ensure our students get placed and have an opportunity for growth.

What are some of the major changes that Covid-19 has bought in the education sector according to you?

COVID-19 was a major setback for all the institutes in the education sector. Many private institutes have suffered a major financial crisis, but our institute, having a well-established foundation, was not that much affected. Since our quality of education is the best, the enrollment of students in our institute didn’t decrease much.

Are there any placement opportunities for the students?

Our institute provides 100% placement opportunities to all our students. Our students are currently working for many well-known news channels and advertising agencies, and their success stories are a big inspiration for me as a faculty member. We also assist our students in doing further studies abroad and provide them with all the help possible.

How is your relationship with the students of your college?

When it comes to student-teacher relationships, I maintain a respectful yet friendly relationship. I keep all my students at an equal level and focus more on their potential than their marks. The relationship between me and my students is cordial, cheerful, and positive. They learn from my attributes, and I bring out their potential.

What are the most important functions in the role that you play in your institute?

The most important function of a teacher is to identify a student’s capabilities and bring out their full potential. I do not give importance to the examination marks a student has received. My focus is on developing their skills and making them an asset to the organisation they work for. When I watch my students explore a whole new world as an educator, I feel satisfied.

What are the challenges faced as a part of your institute?

As an institute, we have faced a lot of challenges in certain aspects. Our main challenge is to cope with sincere students. There are students who don’t maintain attendance and are not regular with assignments; it gets very difficult for us to manage such students. We take the time to address these issues individually with each student.

How do you tend to establish a healthy relationship and environment in your institute/ university?

As an educator, I am blessed to work for an institute that works towards creating a positive environment not only for students but also for teachers. Conducting activities, attending festivals, and celebrating cheerful festivals binds us like a family. As an institute, we enjoy our space very much, and as one unit, we grow together.

Any suggestions/messages that you would like to give to the current youth?

The youth of today are aware of a lot more than when I was growing up, but I feel a part of them is distracted and confused regarding their identity. As an educator, I would want our youth to find their identity in the career graph and work diligently towards it. I would also suggest to parents that they support their children in the particular field they choose to flourish in.