Saturday, 31 March 2012

Study tour assignment management

The Masters of Public Relations students in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus are taken for a study tour every year. They go to understand the place, people and the culture. It is arranged by the department of communication and journalism for all its students. They get to know about the media there. The students are also given assignments in the study tour. The professors who come on the tour decide on the assignments. They divide the students in groups and give them the brief.The students discuss the assignment with their respective groups and then present it. It is a great team building exercise for all. Students get to interact with their seniors and other class students as well. Individual assignments can be given too. These assignments are evaluated by the professor and students get feedback on their work. It is a good learning experience for all the students.
Masters of Public Relations students in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus learn many new things on a study tour. They work on the assignments well and do their best. This year on the study tour there was a group assignment given to the students. Each group was given a different topic. After the assignment each group was given feedback. Everyone was involved and learnt something new. Everybody got a chance to interact with each other and exchange their ideas. It was great to watch all the skits. They were all well presented. It taught everybody something new. Study tour assignments give students an activity to learn and interact with others.Students get a chance to learn how to work in a group. Group work is very important as organizations are looking for people who work well in groups. Team work is necessary everywhere.
Masters of Public Relations students in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus had a very good experience at the study tour. The assignment management of the study tour was done well by the professors of the department of communication and journalism. All students will be looking forward to the next study tour now. Study tours are always a great learning experience for students. The assignments add to make it more interactive for all the students. Study tour assignments should always be well managed only then does it benefit  everyone. 

Study tour

Just like all professional course Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus arranges for a study tour for its students every year. The tour is planned to a new place every year. The tour is planned to a new place every year to understand how the media works. It helps the students learn how similar or different it is from their own city. They get to meet and talk to the people from that place and understand many things. It is very different from sitting in a class and attending a lecture. It is a different kind of learning for the students. They get a chance to travel and also experience a new place along with their classmates. Students always look forward to go on study tours. Assignments are also given in such tours. The professor who come decide on the assignment and divide the students in groups.
The students of Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus bond with journalism and electronic media students of the department in the study tour. They department had arranged a visit to Kutch last year. This year the tour was to Kerala. There were 2 industrial visits to Malayla Manorama printing press and to its new studio. These visits gave the students great insights about the media in Kerala. There was also an assignment given to the students. They were divided in groups and given different topics. Each group has to prepare a skit on the topic assigned to the. This was a good exercise for everyone. It was interesting to see how each group presented their ideas on the topic. The assignment was evaluated by the professor. Every group was given feedback.
The study tour has been a great learning experience for the students of Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus. They got a chance to interact with other students of the department and also their seniors. They got to see and learn about a new place. It was an extremely refreshing experience for all the students. These make fond memories for all the students even after they pass out of the course. They now are looking forward with great expectations to the next study tour which will be in the next academic year. They cherish these memories for the rest of their lives.

A day spent in the university

The Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus is a degree course for students who want to explore the field of Public Relations. It teaches students many subjects which help understand Public Relations.The course is full of insightful lectures and interesting assignments. There are guest lectures conducted on and off on various topics for the students. Usually there are 2 lectures everyday of 2 hours each. Students wait back in the department if they have to work on a group assignment or presentation as they need to discuss it. Students get a lunch break between lectures. They can also order for tea and coffee in the department. The department is open till 7 in the evening so if students wish they can stay back after their lectures to work on their assignments etc.
If a student wants to discuss something with a professor or with other students they can always do so after lectures in the department. They can use the computers in the department to search for data or complete assignments. The Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus does not expect students to leave the department immediately after their lectures. Students can stay in the department to finish their work till evening. Students usually wait if they have a submission deadline or if they have to work on a group project or assignment the next day. If students take such extra efforts for their projects and assignments it always reflects in the end result. The faculty encourages students to wait in the department if they wish after lectures to read up on something. There is internet connection on all the computers in the department which the student can use.
As the students of Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus we have spent quite a few days in the department of communication and journalism from morning to evening. These are generally days when we have lectures and presentations or vivas. Also when we have to work and discuss group assignments. We keep doing one thing after the other and do not even realize how time flies. After we pass out of the course these will become cherished memories for all of us.Everything that we have or will learn in this department will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

How to do Research

Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus is of 2 years. This course places a lot of importance on research. In the first semester the students get familiarized with what research is, the different terminologies of research, why is it needed and the types of research. It is basically an introduction to research. This is taught with the help of case studies and examples. This subject helps to give the students a good understanding of why research is done and why is it important. They study the different components and stages of research. They also learn about ethics and scope of research.
Research is a continuous process in the Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus. In the second semester the students are taught research in a little more detailed manner. It becomes clear why research is so important in the field of Public Relations. Every campaign requires research. It helps understand the aims, objectives, goals and strategies of the campaign better. Students learn how to use research to enhance the credibility of Public Relations. They study the role of research, benefits of research, specific research functions, applications of research etc. Students are taught how to make research decisions. They study research methodologies, data collection, sampling methods, focus group, survey research, questionnaire design etc in greater depth. They are also taught what is a literature review is, why and how is it done.The students select a topic in the field of PR, write its research question, aims,objectives, find citations for it and write its literature review as an assignment. Students also learn about informal methods of research.
Towards the second half of the third semester students select a topic for their dissertation in the fourth semester and start working on it. The submission of a dissertation at the end of the fourth semester is a requirement of the course of Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus. The entire fourth semester is dedicated to working on the thesis. Each student is assigned one professor as their research guide. The students have to meet their guide and discuss the progress of each stage of the research regularly. They have to make presentations and also give a viva on their research they are doing to external professors. Thus this course does not only teach students research but also gives them a chance to actually carry out a research.

Perception of PR professionals towards MA PR

Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus is a course for aspiring Public Relations professionals. This course teaches students everything they should know about Public Relations. The history, evolution and current trends in the field. The students study different subjects such as PR Campaigns, Human Resource- Organization Behavior, Media laws, Agency PR, Financial Management, Media writing, Research etc The faculty who teaches these subjects have a wealth of experience and share their knowledge with students. Along with lectures the department also arranges for regular guest lectures and seminars for the students. The speakers are sometimes media professionals who come to talk about a particular topic. They discuss with the students and share their insights ad perceptions. This helps the students understand the field better.
Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus has many subjects some of which are taught by professionals who are currently working in Public Relations or have worked in the field. When they conduct lectures, talk to students, give them assignments and evaluate the students they make their perception about the course. They know the different subjects subjects the students study and the kind of assignments and presentations they do accordingly they make their perceptions about the students. As the course is 3 years old not all PR professionals are aware of it but it definately is slowly but surely catching up. After the first year of the course the students are required to do a compulsory 6 weeks internship at a PR company. This also helps shape the perception of industry professionals towards the Masters of PR course. Students should ensure that during the internship they put their best foot forward and create a positive impression. This experience gives students great exposure to understand how PR is done.
The perceptions of PR professionals towards Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus is very important. They should know how credible the course and its students are. It is critical that the faculty, the students and also the ex students of the course give out the right impression regarding the course. Only when the industry professionals have a perception that the students from this course are promising PR professionals of tomorrow will they look forward to work with them and make a part of the industry. 

Exams

The Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina Campus is a two years course which has four semesters of six months each. Every semester has four subjects each. Exams are held at the end of each semester. Notes are provided to study for exams. The passing in these exams is 50%. Students need to study hard to do well in exams. Each paper is out of 50 marks. All subjective 10 marks each question. Out of 10 students are required to answer any 5. The duration is 2 hours for each paper. Students need to prepare well for the exams. They need to be through with the subject. Exams test how much you have learnt and understood about a subject. Students have to start studying well in advance to score well in exams.
Exams are an important part of every student's life. It is a deciding factor in one's academic life. Students devote a lot of time and attention to study for exams. Students of Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina Campus understand that they need to fare well in exams. Each subject has to be studied thoroughly. If students have any doubts they can discuss them with the professors and their classmates. In lectures concepts become more clear for the students as everything is explained by the professor. Students should take exams seriously and not neglect their studies. They should know to manage their time properly. They should plan their studies well. They should start preparing well in advance so that there is no anxiety or stress during exams. Exams check a students knowledge and understanding about a subject. Students should not get tensed about exams but should study hard. They should not take exams lightly.
In the Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina Campus if a student fails in any subject they have to give all the four papers again. Thus each subject should be studied thoroughly. Every exam should be given equal importance. Every semester should be taken seriously and students should attend lectures regularly and should understand each subject well. All these subjects help students become better Public Relations professionals of the future. This knowledge helps students when they enter the industry. It makes the students understand the field better. Students should not get stressed or get tensed about exams but just do their best 

Assignment Anxitey

Assignments are part of every professional course Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina Campus is no exception to this rule. They fetch the students their internal marks in every subject. It could be group or individual or assignments. These marks are equally important to written exams. Thus every assignment becomes integral to the course itself.
Each assignment in the course of Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina campus  comes with a deadline. If a students misses a deadline he or she loses their marks. All assignments need to be managed well or could cause some anxiety among students. Sometimes students have to work on more than one assignment and have back to back deadlines. A student's time management skills come handy here. Assignments teach students to value their time and be more disciplined. Group assignments make students better group members and team players.Learning to work in groups is essential for students as they have to work in teams in their workplace too. Assignments help students understand the subject better. If the students have a doubt regarding the assignments they can always approach a professor or seek help from their classmates. These assignments give students more insight on the topic. Some assignments need to be presented in the form of a power point presentation. These help improve student's presentation skills.When students start working they have to give presentations in front of clients, seniors, colleagues etc. Thus they get this training too in the course. There are different types of assignments some require students to do some research and study a topic thoroughly while others would need students to go out of the university and talk to certain people and take their views and understand their perspective in a particular subject. Sometimes students wait back in the department after lectures and work on their assignments. Every assignment teaches the students something new which helps to understand the subject better.
Every subject in Masters of Public Relations course in the university of Mumbai, Kalina Campus has different assignments. They help students gain a deeper perspective into the topic.If the student has not divided their time properly or has not understood the assignment it can cause anxiety. Working on the eleventh hour also causes stress. Assignments should be managed well and be on top priority for students. Students should work well in advance on assignments to avoid assignment anxiety. They should give every assignment adequate time and attention.

Thursday, 16 February 2012

One Change That Would Make A Difference To Masters of Public Relations

The students of the Masters of Public Relations course in the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus bond over assignments, notes and discussions during lectures. This bond is important from an academic point of view. There needs to be a sense of understanding towards each other. This is helpful when after the course everybody starts working in different Public Relations sectors and would need some information from each other. Such networking is always useful when one starts working in the industry. This is also the reason why the faculty also always encourages the students to interact with their seniors. When the students pass out from the course their seniors will already have one year of work experience in the industry and will be working with different companies. Hence they will be able to guide their juniors well.
         One change that would make a difference to the Masters of Public Relations in University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus would be setting up a 'Fun Committee'. This will give another chance for the students of the whole department to bond with each other. The committee will have two students from each class including journalism, public relations and electronic media. These students will have regular meetings to decide the activities for the weekend. These could include activities such as documentary film screening, performing folk dances or skits. The faculty will be invited and the committee will take their valuable feedback. Any student from the department can come for the meeting and give their inputs. Every weekend could have a different theme. It would be very interesting to see how different groups interpret the same theme in a different manner. This will not only give the students an opportunity to showcase their talents but also increase their motivation and enthusiasm towards such extra curricular activities. The members of the committee will change every month so that every student who is interested gets a chance to discuss and implement his or her ideas. This will generate a sense of excitement and bring all students together.
       This will make a positive difference not only to the Masters of Public Relations in University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus but to the entire department of Communication and Journalism. It will help strengthen the bond among the students of the department and everyone will get to learn something new be it managing an event or hosting a show.

USP of Masters of Public Relations

The Masters of Public Relations course at the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus is any aspiring Public Relations professional's best bet. It not only gives one a complete understanding of the history, evolution and theories of Public Relations but also studies the current trends in the industry. It also gives every student a great opportunity to conduct a research on any topic of their choice in the field of Public Relations in their fourth semester. Thus every student can feel they have contributed to the subject of Public Relations in their own way. The research thesis of previous batch students is available at the department for reference. The professor also conduct researches in their respective subjects from time to time.
       The course of Masters of Public Relations at the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus is of two years and is divided into four semesters. Each semester has four subjects each. Students are marked on their performance in class assignments as well as the written examination. The structure and design of the course i believe is the USP of the course. By the end of the course every student has knowledge about so many subjects which helps them when they enter the work environment. They also learn how to conduct research and why it is important. After the second semester students are required to do a compulsory six weeks internship. This gives each student a chance to get practical experience which is extremely essential. The student is required to submit a report about the internship after six weeks.
         The Masters of Public Relations at the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus also communicate through a google group. Information about assignments, notes, lecture timings etc are all mailed on the group so that everybody is informed. The faculty and students also mail relevant articles and stories on their particular subjects on the google group.

Experience at Masters of Public Relations

I had joined the Masters of Public Relations course at the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus with an open mind as I was eager to learn more about the field of Public Relations. I knew from the beginning that this would be a great learning experience for me. This course has taught me a lot. It has been a very enriching experience. We as students learn something new everyday. Each day tells a new story. We get to know more about the latest events and happenings from around the world from not only our professors but also from our peers. We are encouraged to have healthy discussions on various issues in class. We keep working on assignments which make us think of new and fresh ideas. We have an exchange of thoughts and views on many topics.
        We also have group assignments which teach us how to work in teams. Everyone in the Masters of Public Relations at the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus has something unique to offer. Everybody is friendly and helpful towards each other.It is a positive learning environment. We also have some really good seniors who we interact with on and off. They share their experiences with us and tell us about their assignments which gives us an understanding of what our other semesters will be like. They also tell us about the things they learnt during their internships. They are working on their research which is a course requirement in the final semester. We also discuss about their research topics. They work on their research under a guide who are the faculty members.
         My experience as a student of Masters of Public Relations at the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus has been very refreshing. I have learnt so many new things, met many new people and it has helped me grow as a person. We learn many subjects which helps us to get a complete understanding of a particular field. It gives us a boarder perspective on the subject. The department of Communication and Journalism also arranges for a study tour every year. This year the place was Kerala. We had two business visits one to Malyalam Manorama printing press and news studio. It gave us an understanding of how the media in Kerala works. It also was a great opportunity for everyone in the department to bond with each other. We visited a bird sanctuary and also spent a couple of hours on a boat cruise at Allepy. We were given an assignment to perform a skit. We were divided into groups and each group had a different topic. It was a great learning experience for everybody in the department.

Pillars of Masters of Public Relations

There are many important pillars of the Masters of Public Relations course in the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus. These pillars are not only responsible for shaping a students academic life but also act as role models for them. Their years of experience reflect in their style of teaching. Students look up to them and aspire to be like them someday. They are always approachable. Students have heir initial interaction with them during the admission process. They are the ones who take interviews and decide the topics for the group discussion and set the entrance examination question papers. They are always willing to share their insights and experiences with the students and clear any doubts that may arise in their minds. They are extremely hardworking and humble people. They themselves set excellent examples for the students.
       In my opinion every professor who has taught or is teaching the students of Masters of Public Relations in the university of Mumbai, Kalina Campus is a very strong pillar. They are not only extremely knowledgeable people but are also imparting their knowledge everyday to their students. Students have a lot to learn from them. It is fascinating to see the way they work and deal with different situations. They are efficient at teaching and make learning an enjoyable experience for the students. At heart they are warm and compassionate teachers guiding students through their academic lives.
      Students of Masters of Public Relations of University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus consider themselves fortunate for having such wonderful pillars. They ensure that everything is running smoothly and that everything in the department is managed well. They are a source of inspiration for every student. They constantly encourage and motivate students to perform better. They are remarkable people who play a key role in the academic life of their students.




Where does MA PR take you two years down the line?

A Masters degree course such as Masters of Public Relations in the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus gives its students an edge over other students. The students study different subjects which gives them a lot of knowledge on the subject. They are always updated on current affairs and the latest happenings around the world. The department conducts many guest lectures on various topics thus the students also get a chance to interact with industry professionals from time to time. These professionals come and share their insights and views which give the students an opportunity to understand their perspective on different matters.
        Every lecture in the course of Masters of Public Relations in the University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus is of two hours which gives enough time for a healthy discussion on a particular topic. There is an exchange of ideas among the students which is guided by the professor. Everyone has sufficient time to clear all their doubts. The students have on going assignments which help them keep their minds stimulated. Some of the assignments require the students to give presentations which enhances their skills and makes them more confident individuals. There is a subject called 'Research' which inculcates scientific and inductive thinking, promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organisation.
        Another requirement of the Masters of Public Relations course in University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus is a six week long internship after the second semester exams and before the third semester begins. The internship can be done at any Public Relations agency or a Corporate Communications department of a company. This helps students to get a feel of a professional working environment and to learn many new things. This experience is very important as it introduces students to the corporate world. The students are required to submit a detailed report after the internship is over.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

AN INSIGHT INTO THE MASTERS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

In today's times, a student's life has become even more competitive than before. There are many options to study any subject or field of one's choice at a graduation. However it has become very essential to pursue a post graduation course which will further boost one's job options and help you have an edge over other students. Thus this led me to pursue my Masters Degree in Public Relations which will play a key role in accelerating a student's career graph. Therefore it has become very important to do something after your graduation.

Hence after i completed my graduation i was pondering which career to pursue. I discovered my interest in the field of Public Relations and thus did an internship in a reputed Public Relations agency which sparked in me the desire to study this field in greater detail. I decided to do my Masters in Public Relations and started searching for courses in this field, thats when i came across the Masters in Public Relations Degree course in the University of Mumbai at Kalina Campus in the Department of Communication and Journalism. This course was my best bet as it is the only Degree course in the field of Public Relations as the rest are diploma courses. And thus i applied for this course.

The application process comprised of  submitting an SOP (Statement of Purpose) stating in 1000 words 'why you want to do this course' and two recommendation letters by academicians from your graduation college and a attested copy of your TY mark sheet. Further details were given as to when would the entrance exam be held  and was then followed by a group discussion and a personal interview. I went through this application process, submitted my documents and got selected for the course.

The course content : The duration of this Masters in Public Relations course in the University of Public Relations at the Kalina Campus is 2 years. It consists of 4 semesters, each semester having 4 subjects each. Subjects of this course are Public Relations Theories and Practices, Media Relations and Media writing, Human Relations and Organizational Behavior, Research, Public Relations Campaign, Media laws, New Media and New Technologies, Research in Public Relations, Financial Public Relations, Media advocacy. The fourth semester consists of submitting a thesis on any topic of your choice for the partial fulfillment of the degree . Each student is assigned with a research guide for this research.
The faculty of this course are academicians with many years of experience in this field. Also there are visiting faculties which come regularly to hold seminars in the department which is very helpful to the students to get industry exposure.

The department also arranges for a study tour every year for the students, wherein the students are taken to a new place to study the culture, the traditions, all in all to study the functioning of the media of that place.

For further details of this course log on www.mu.ac.in and go to MCJ and Public Relations web page.