Now Get Degrees Instead Of Diplomas From IIMC: HRD Ministry Grants LOI For Deemed University Status

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has been issued a letter of intent (LOI) from the HRD Ministry, granting it deemed university status. This will enable the institute to award degree instead of diplomas.

Back in August, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had recommended the HRD Ministry grant IIMC a deemed university status, as reported by Indian Express.

HRD Higher Education Secretary R Subramanyam said, “An LOI has been issued to the IIMC, and certain anomalies have been pointed out. Once they are removed, the institute will be granted deemed university status”.

The institute is one of the acclaimed journalism schools of the country. Overseen by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, it offers PG diplomas in Journalism, advertising and public relations.

The UGC had formed a four-member committee last year to analyse the proposal by IIMC. The panel was disbanded, and two committees, one headed by Sachidanand Joshi and Kushabhau Thakre made the recommendation.

Based on this, the UGC asked the Ministry to issue a LoI to IIMC under ‘De Novo’ category that means an institution which focuses on teaching and research in emerging areas of knowledge.

With five new campuses across the country, IIMC was also suggested to merge with JNU’ Media Centre and JMI’s Mass Comm. Research Centre, that was shot down by the institute and ministries of I&B and HRD.