MASC signs MoU with University of Wales, Newport UK
Chennai: Media Arts & Science College (MASC) Chennai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enter into academic cooperation with University of Wales, Newport (UWN) United Kingdom with the presence of British Deputy High Commissioner of Chennai Mr Mike Nithavrianakis and senior members from Welsh Assembly Government on 2nd September 2010 Thursday at MASC campus at Neelankarai.
Dean Administration of MASC Mr J Chandrasekhar and Mr Graham Wood Dean International Affairs UWN signed the memorandum implicating collaborations and exploration on exchange of faculty and students, conduct of joint seminars and conferences, video conferencing education and exchange of scholarly publications between the institutions. “The institutions have also initiated talks on bringing research programs for Media Studies particularly on 3D Animation and Gaming, where there is no institute in India offering doctorates in these specialized areas” said Dr Chris O’Malley, Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Wales Newport while addressing the gathering.
Mr Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner praised “this memorandum of understanding between MASC and University of Wales Newport will start creating great opportunities for students of India and United Kingdom to build their career on media studies. We expect and wish that this agreement between the institutions should keep continuing and existing with the motive to enhance Higher Education, our complete support from Deputy High Commission will be given to the institutions and their students”. Welsh Assembly Government’s Senior Trade Officer Mr Bharat Rampal participated in the ceremony indicating the strength of this memorandum. “We are extremely proud to collaborate with University of Wales Newport which has got 140 years of existence at Wales with a strong student base in its campus. This memorandum will be a milestone in the history of Media Studies in Indian Higher Education. MASC is honored by the presence of British Deputy High Commission and Welsh Assembly Government who were key-organizations to make this collaboration happen,” claims Mr Valliappan Raju, Director of Media Arts & Science College. According to sources from the college, this MoU was first of its kind in India for Media Studies, whereby students get a great opportunity to travel to both destinations to get trained on particular module with no extra cost. “Ultimate success of this signing is by making students get benefitted,” said the parties of both Institutions.
MASC offers degree programs in Animation, Mass Communication, Advertising, Journalism and Film Studies. The next intake of college will be on September 2010 for its Film Studies and Mass Communication programs. The college also opens up the Evening College for students who wanted to get dual degree while working or studying in daytime. “We want to shape up MASC as a complete Media school with absolute International standards” claimed Mr Valliappan Raju and added “We are sure that this can be achieved with this collaboration with University of Wales Newport”. The academic team from MASC is expected to visit Newport shortly to find more avenues on research initiatives according to sources.
This signing ceremony with representation of British Deputy High Commission, Welsh Assembly Government, International office members from UWN, Staffs / Students of MASC, Varuns Infotainment, and Diplomats gave a significant importance to the collaboration.