Itanagar, Feb 21: A delegation from the Contemporary Communiqué Club (C3), a collective of Mass Communication alumni from Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), met with state Education Minister P D Sona on Friday to submit a representation advocating for the introduction of Mass Communication and Journalism courses in government colleges and Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) at Pasighat.
During the meeting, the delegation emphasised the urgent need to expand academic opportunities in the field, pointing out that despite the subject’s 24-year presence in the state, graduates continue to face limited employment prospects.
They argued that the lack of dedicated departments in government institutions has hindered career growth for Mass Communication graduates, forcing many to seek opportunities outside the state.
The minister after attentively listening to the delegation’s concerns, assured them that he would explore the feasibility of their proposal and take necessary steps to address the issue. He acknowledged the growing significance of media literacy in today’s world and recognised Mass Com as a valuable professional discipline.
The representation submitted by C3 highlighted the challenges faced by graduates in the field. Since the introduction of RGU’s postgraduate program in Mass Communication in 2004, the university has produced over 700 graduates, many of whom have excelled in academics and cleared national eligibility tests.
However, with RGU being the only government institution offering the course, employment opportunities within Arunachal Pradesh remain scarce. Most graduates are limited to pursuing teaching positions at RGU, creating a bottleneck that has resulted in an exodus of skilled professionals seeking work outside the state.
“For 24 years, Mass Com has existed in Arunachal Pradesh, yet our graduates struggle to find relevant employment within the state. We possess diverse skills in journalism, filmmaking, public relations, and more—skills crucial for a developing state like ours. However, the absence of Mass Communication departments in government colleges and a postgraduate program at APU severely limits both our potential and the state’s media landscape,” the delegation stated.
The representatives also pointed out that neighboring states have already introduced Mass Communication programs in government colleges, recognizing the importance of media education.
They urged the government to establish dedicated departments in institutions with large intake capacities, such as Dera Natung Government College (DNGC) in Itanagar, Government College in Bomdila, and Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC) in Pasighat.
They argued that expanding Mass Communication education would not only enhance media awareness and civic participation but also create employment avenues for qualified Master’s and PhD holders while fostering a responsible media ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh.
In addition to their meeting with the minister, the C3 delegation also met with education commissioner Amzad Tak, who responded positively to their representation. He assured them that he would prioritize the matter and take it up for serious consideration within the education department.