Authorities of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) are hopeful that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s decision to upgrade the top-ranking institute to an institute of ‘national importance’ will help it achieve better infrastructure and expanded academic curriculum.
During the presentation of the Union Budget on Thursday, Mr. Jaitely said, “Film and Television Institute, Pune, and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, are proposed to be accorded status of institutes of national importance.” SRFTI was established in 1995 and is under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
When contacted, Director of SRFTI, Sanjaya Pattanayak, told The Hindu that the decision would not only provide ‘more autonomy’ to SRFTI, but would also result in ‘scope for growth’ in terms of academics and infrastructure. He pointed out that at present, the institute offers post-graduate diplomas in five subjects namely direction and screenplay, cinematography, editing, sound re-recording and design, and film and television production. “With the status of an institute of national importance, we will be able to offer undergraduate and post-graduate degrees,” said Mr. Pattanayak, adding that SRFTI may also be recognised as a centre of excellence.
With regard to the effect of the decision on government funding for the institute, Mr. Pattanayak is hopeful that now more funds will be allocated to SRFTI by the Centre. . At present, the number of students in the institute is 170.
