Indira Gandhi National Open University's School of Journalism and New Media Studies here has been declared the first nodal centre of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for media studies in South Asia.
The school has gained the distinction on account of its research, academic and training activities. UNESCO has also decided to establish a UNESCO Chair for Media Studies in the school.
The agreement between the school and UNESCO envisages dissemination of the former's M.A. programmes throughout SAARC countries in distance and virtual mode using IGNOU's experience and facilitating research in media education and literacy through the UNESCO Chair for Media Studies.
The joint initiatives also include a media congress which will be organised annually to analyse media education and literacy in SAARC region.
The school, established in 2007, has programmes ranging from certificate courses to Ph.D. in journalism, electronic media, community media, 3D animation and new media.
The school's M.A. programme in journalism and mass communication will be co-certified by UNESCO. The aim of the agreement is to set parameters for and designate media educational institutions in the SAARC region as “Centres of Excellence in Media Education”. UNESCO and SOJNMS will, through this initiative, attempt to promote media education and literacy in a substantial manner.
