Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 2: The Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Jammu today officially commenced its highly anticipated 10-day Summer Internship Programme.
Specially curated to bridge the persistent gap between classroom theory and contemporary media industry practices, this intensive initiative welcomes undergraduate students from various regional colleges for a comprehensive, hands-on professional training experience.
Te flagship programme is being organized under the leadership of JU Vice Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai and the guidance of Prof Dushyant Kumar Rai, Head of the Journalism Department.
Welcoming the fresh cohort during the inaugural ceremony, Prof Dushyant Kumar Rai emphasized the critical, irreplaceable role of experiential learning in modern media education. He noted that academic knowledge must be supplemented with industry exposure to create employment-ready graduates. “This internship has evolved into a premier platform for young, aspiring learners, It allows them to confidently navigate the realities of the media industry while simultaneously cultivating professional competence, technological adaptability, and strong ethical sensitivity,” he said.
The inaugural day featured a series of high-impact technical sessions led by distinguished academicians and veteran media practitioners.
Senior journalist Nishikant Khajuria shared invaluable real-world insights into modern newsroom dynamics, source cultivation, and contemporary field reporting trends. Drawing from his extensive career, he urged the aspiring journalists to steadfastly uphold the core principles of accuracy, credibility, and public service.
Prof Garima Gupta, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages at JU, delivered an interactive workshop on soft skills and personality development. She underlined interpersonal communication as a vital asset in today’s highly competitive professional market.
The department’s core faculty also led specialized sessions to ground the students in modern industry demands. Dr Pardeep Singh Bali analyzed changing media ecosystems and emerging career avenues in digital communication and content production. Dr Ravia Gupta, Dr Kumerjit Chajgotra, and Dr Ramiyan Bhardwaj conducted comprehensive modules covering artificial intelligence (AI) in media, media literacy, professional ethics, and modern corporate communication strategies.
The 10-day programme will feature a demanding mix of interactive lectures, hands-on news-writing assignments, on-site field visits and direct networking opportunities with industry experts.
