GUWAHATI (https://www.sdsails.co.uk/): The International Centre for Gandhian Studies (ICGS), a constituent of the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya, has launched five Media Fellowship projects for journalists and activists from the north-eastern region of India here on Saturday. Among the fellowship projects, two fellowships would lead to Ph. D. degree.
Addressing a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club, Rani Pathak Das, Public Relations Officer, USTM said that with the strong conviction that media plays a pivotal role in educational development of the region, USTM organized a Media Round Table in the early part of this year where it was decided that media fellowships would be awarded to journalists for in-depth study and research in socially relevant areas. “Based on the brainstorm and suggestions offered by journalists in this context, the University invites applications from qualified, competent and committed journalists and activists for conducting need based research on topics of high social relevance under prescribed terms and conditions”, she said.
The two Fellowships projects leading to PhD degree are: a) “A study on Divorce: Causes and Impact” and b) “A study on Inter Community Marriage and Impact on Lifestyle”. Post Graduates with experience in working with print, television or digital media in North East India or a social activist are eligible to apply for this. The fellowship amount is, Rs 3.6 Lakhs (Rupees Three Lakhs Sixty Thousand only).
The other three Media Fellowship projects include: a) “Study on Skill India and its Impact at Grass root Level”, b) “Study on Comparative Development Scenario of Model Villages Identified by Members of Parliament: Before and After Adoption”, and c) “Study on Rise of New Age Media and its Impact”. Eligibility for these three fellowships is, any graduate journalist working with media in the North East. The fellowship amount is Rs 1.5 Lakhs (Rupees One Lakh Fifty Thousand only) for each fellowship. Ms Das said that the amount may also be increased depending on the effectiveness of working style of the fellows. “All interested have been requested to apply for the Fellowships via e-mail to [email protected]”, the USTM PRO added.
Speaking to the journalists, Mehjabeen Rahman, Jt Director, HR, ERD Foundation, said that the selection process will be through written test and interview by an expert committee comprising veteran and renowned media personalities and academicians. It can be mentioned here that USTM organized a Media Round Table few months back to seek advice and suggestions from the media personalities on how USTM can contribute to the media fraternity and to the society as a whole by offering free education to the aspirant children of journalists as well as by way of offering fellowships.