- Stories of rural problems and development will get a national platform, opening up new career opportunities in media for rural youth.
- Promote grassroots journalism through joint research, training, internships and community radio
An important initiative has been taken to give national recognition to the voices of rural areas and provide new opportunities for youth in the field of journalism. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Raipur, and Gondwana University, Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) to strengthen rural journalism. This partnership will provide new impetus to journalism education, research, and training activities in remote rural and tribal areas of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Manoj Dayal, Vice Chancellor of Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication, stated that the soul of India resides in its villages, and that rural journalism is a powerful medium for bringing ground realities to society. He added that the joint efforts of both universities will cultivate journalists who, with sensitivity and social concern, will highlight issues related to rural development, local problems, and public life.
Gondwana University Vice Chancellor Professor Prashant Bokare described this agreement as a historic initiative toward the promotion and advancement of rural journalism. He said this will provide new opportunities for talent from rural areas to advance in the fields of journalism and mass communication.
The MoU was signed by Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma, Registrar, Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication and Dr. Mohammad Sarfaraz Ansari, Head of the Department of Journalism, Gondwana University.
Under the MoU, the two universities will jointly organize symposia, seminars, and workshops. These activities will be conducted through offline, online, and hybrid modes, enabling students, teachers, and journalists in remote areas to benefit. Special emphasis will be placed on joint research, faculty exchanges, student internships, and strengthening rural communication through community radio.
This educational partnership will provide rural youth with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with modern journalistic techniques, receive practical training, and present local issues on a wider platform. Additionally, topics related to rural development, education, health, agriculture, and tribal life will gain greater visibility in mainstream journalism.
On this occasion, department head Dr. Rajendra Mohanty, Dr. Nripendra Sharma and Dr. Ashutosh Mandavi along with university professors were present.