PG diploma in social communications media, Sophia Polytechnic, Mumbai

Set up 30 years ago, the Sophia Polytechnic has been a forerunner in the world of vocational education for women. It was the winner of the Golden Web award for 2003-04.

In Sophia, the emphasis is not only on academic and professional excellence but all-round development of students. The institute aims to provide education that is holistic, student-centred, value-based and creative. The courses are designed to offer a choice of routes into employment, motivating creativity and bringing out the individuality of each student.

The facilities include a centrally air-conditioned auditorium, a professionally-equipped studio, an audio-visual room, a computer lab, a library and a gymnasium. The Sophia campus has a hostel for girls, a conference room and a canteen. Sophia also has a gallery which exhibits the students’ masterpieces and holds an annual exhibition.

The course on social communication media trains young women to be media professionals, providing them with a firm theoretical base as well as hands-on experience. It aims to inculcate a sense of social awareness, so that media studies and technical skills are linked to media responsibility and ethics. The curriculum covers a wide variety of subjects, including fundamental concepts in communication, communication research, journalism, advertising, corporate communications, film, radio and television. This intensive one-year postgraduate diploma course is recognised by the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education. Annual practical projects include the making of video documentaries, promotional radio features and ad-campaigns. All these projects are conceived, researched, written, produced and directed by the students themselves with the guidance of faculty members.

The other courses offered by the polytechnic include undergraduate courses in hospitality management, foundation art, textile design, applied art and dress design and garment manufacture. There is also a postgraduate course in travel and tourism, certificate courses in bakery, confectionery and restaurant etiquette, and a hobby course in baking and patiserrie.

The postgraduate diploma in social communication media course is not advertised in newspapers. Forms are given out in May and should be picked up from the Sophia Polytechnic, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai-400026.

Applications are accepted by the polytechnic till the first week of June approximately. The application form must be accompanied by a demand draft of Rs 700 drawn in favour of Sophia Polytechnic and be payable at Mumbai.

For further details, check the website (www.sophia campus.com).

Eligibility

Candidates should have a bachelors degree in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 50 per cent in aggregate in the qualifying examination.

Entrance exam

The entrance exam is conducted in June in Mumbai.

Pattern of exam

The three-hour subjective-type test includes questions on current affairs, issues concerning the media as well as creative expression and is followed by a group discussion. Subsequently, a certain number of candidates are shortlisted for an interview. After the interviews, the final list of students admitted to the course is declared. All candidates selected for the interview should bring clippings of published material, if any, and samples of their creative work.

How to prepare

Preparation for the entrance test requires awareness of current events as reported by the media and issues concerning the media. Aspirants should read newspapers regularly and watch television programmes like the Big Fight and We the People. Candidates can also brush up on general knowledge and current affairs from books by Pearson and Spectrum. Practise writing essays on various topics in a visually descriptive way.