Mudra  Institute of  Communication, Ahmedabad

Started in 1991, the Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (Mica), has created a niche for itself as a premier communication management school in the country. “We have been complementing the role that management education plays in modernising and professionalising communications-driven business,” says Arbind Sinha, director.

Mica offers a two-year postgraduate programme in communications management (PGPCM). “The strength of the programme lies in the contemporary curriculum, knowledge and experience of the faculty, exposure to industry and diverse profiles of students. The curriculum is flexible and is updated annually in consultation with practicing managers to ensure inclusion of current practices and cases,” says Sinha.

The programme draws the best minds from diverse fields. Of late, there has been a significant increase in the number of students from engineering and management backgrounds. “The number of people with diverse experience has meant more productive class discussions,” says the director.

The eligibility for admission is 50 per cent marks in graduation. Applicants have to apply with CAT or GMAT scores. Short-listed candidates have to appear for the Mica Admissions Test (Micat) which is held in February / March. The test assesses analytical and divergent thinking, written communication skills and familiarity with the Indian ethos. Candidates short-listed on the basis of Micat are called for a group exercise and personal interview.

All PGPCM students have to participate in a summer internship for 8-10 weeks at the end of the first year of the programme. Mica follows a July-March academic session, which is divided into three terms of 12 weeks each.

The summer vacation at the end of the first year is devoted to industry internship. Placement activities commence towards the end of the second academic year.

The institute prides itself on 100 per cent placement. “We have been able to place all students of the 2007-09 batch in spite of the recession. Thirty-one companies visited the campus this year and there was an average 2.74 offers per company. The average salary was around 8 lakh and the highest Rs 18 lakh,” says K.G.P. Pillai, registrar and chief administrative officer.

Besides the flagship PGPCM, Mica also offers a 15-month executive development programme in retail communications management, a one-year executive development programme in design communications management, a six-month skill development programme in crafting creative communications, a one-year executive programme in broadcast management and a one-year executive programme in public relations and event management.

The institute also offers a six-month executive development programme in data analytics and a one-year executive development programme in media management through distance education. “We have also been offering various communication-related services to the Saarc countries and Dubai,” says Sinha.

Mica has collaborations with the Anglia Ruskin University, the UK, the University of Asia and the Pacific, Manila, the Philippines, the Budapest Business School, Hungary, and the University of Southampton, the UK, among others. It also offers dual degree in association with foreign universities.

“What I like best about the institute is the flexibility it offers. There is no academic pressure and we are allowed to pursue our own interests,” says Jimesh Vakharia, a second-year student of retail communication management.

One of the most awaited events is Micanvas — the annual brand management festival that draws industry professionals and the best B-school brains in the country. The Mica lecture series is also a big draw that sees gurus from the industry and academia hold forth on cutting-edge topics.

The students have also won laurels for their histrionic skills through plays that have been running to packed houses. Certainly, variety is the spice of life at Mica.

Vital Statistics:-

WHAT IS IT? A premier communications management school in Ahmedabad

WHO’S THE BOSS? Arbind Sinha is the director

WHERE IS IT ? Shela, Ahmedabad-380058, Phone: (2717) 308250,
Website: www.mica-india.net

Expenses- Rs 9 lakh for the two-year postgraduate course

pros:-> Excellent faculty and facilities

Cons:-> Students feel they miss out on social life as the institute is situated far from the city

Source: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)