India's leading digital media agency, Webchutney, and path-breaking Delhi-based media school, 9.9 School of Convergence (SoC), have joined forces in an academy-industry partnership designed to develop and promote SoC's Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Media Communication (DMC). The partnership will ensure that the school's graduates are best prepared for careers in the burgeoning digital media industry.
Webchutney and 9.9 SoC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which Webchutney will collaborate with 9.9 SoC to develop the DMC curriculum according to industry needs and standards, and provide faculty, internships and placements for 9.9 SoC students.
The 9.9 SoC Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Media Communication, an India and indeed global first, is a one-year, full-time programme which combines courses in content creation, strategic communication and digital communication to provide students with the broad set of skills and perspectives they need to embark on careers in digital media. According to Rahul Nanda, Chief Operating Officer, Webchutney, the agency will provide a number of four-month internships for 9.9 SoC students during the final term of the academic year and will have the right of first offer to students during the recruitment period. Digital marketing strategists and experts from Webchutney are invited to participate in interviews in the admissions process for the DMC program.
"In the new digitally networked social economy, we understand that 360 degree connectedness is imperative to thrive in a dynamic, competitive landscape. The decision to partner with an innovative academic institution like 9.9 SoC was driven by our objective to enrich the existing value chain and brace for the massive wave of opportunity sweeping the Indian digital industry today. We'll be drawing from our rich industry experience and expertise to contribute towards building a robust curriculum which will encourage and foster entrepreneurship as a key learning aspect, while leaning towards a more practical, hands-on learning style with live case studies and strategies to make it more relevant," added Rahul Nanda.
Under the MOU, Webchutney and 9.9 SoC will work together to develop digital media training programmes and workshops for professionals in marketing and advertising. In addition, 9.9 SoC and Webchutney will work together to develop research capabilities in the digital media space for 9.9 SoC's research centre.
"Partnerships like this really help to close the gap between studies and practice-giving students both the perspective and the skills they need not only to replicate what is happening in the field, but to become innovators and leaders in it," 9.9 SoC Dean of Academics, Dr. Eric Saranovitz, said. "Webchutney's industry knowledge will help 9.9 SoC prepare the future generation of media professionals to exploit the fast-changing world of online and digital media. Students will learn what it takes to manage online communities, undertake a digital marketing campaign, and maximise audience engagement in the digital media space."
9.9 SoC Dean, Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha said the partnership would address the need to develop key competences in DMC, rather than simply narrow skills. "Education-business partnerships also address the transition from education to work, a true Achilles heel in countries such as ours, where education and the labour market are often poorly matched," he said.
About Webchutney
Webchutney works with leading companies in India by developing award winning and memorable experiences for brands to connect, engage and build sustained relationships with their consumers online. Our clients include Airtel, Microsoft, Unilever, Marico, Titan, MasterCard, Barclays, Nokia and Proctor & Gamble among others. We work with them in areas of online advertising, website design, mobile marketing and social media. Ranked as India's Number 1 Digital Agency two years in a row (Brand Equity Agency Reckoner, The Economic Times, 2008 & 2009), Webchutney is committed to leading the interactive marketing industry. We are a team of over 200 digital marketing professionals across New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Visit us at www.webchutney.com for more information.
About 9.9 School of Convergence
Established in New Delhi in 2001, the 9.9 School of Convergence offers world class education in the fields of Media Studies, Journalism and Communication, employing a combination of international and local faculty highly experienced in the media and wider communications sectors to ensure graduates are job-ready. The school's PG Diploma in Applied Journalism and Media Communication and PG Diploma in Digital Media Communication, together with its programme in Global Media and Communication and Centre for Communication Excellence, bring the best professional and academic practices to the classroom in order to train and educate present and future writers, editors, journalists, communicators and media professionals in the traditional and digital media. 9.9 SoC graduates have found placements at Network18, NewsX and Walt Disney, among other media houses. www.schoolofconvergence.com
About the Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Media Communication
The 9.9 SoC Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Media Communication is the first digital media communications-specific diploma course in India, and in fact globally. Students learn to create content while developing an in-depth understanding of the strategic application of technology and business methods to distribute this content, making them ready for careers in the fields of online and digital publication, management, marketing and advertising including. The first two terms of the program build a foundation of creative skills in visual and written communication, technological expertise in online and digital software and business strategies and managerial tools needed to start a career in the online space. Students also study the economic, political, social and cultural impact of old and new communication technologies in India and around the world to better understand the driving forces behind the digital media revolution.
CONTACT DETAILS
Inga Butefisch, 9.9 School of Convergence, 91 9958170246, inga.butefisch@9dot9.in