The year was 1958. The CIE (Central Institute of English) was born. A dream of Nehru to ensure high quality education in English for Indian learners, CIE was established in Hyderabad. With time and growing demand for English education in the country, new campuses of the renamed CIE as CIEFL in 1973 were set up. The Northeast Campus in Shillong came into existence in 1973.

Since 1973, the Northeast campus of the Institute excelled and earned a name for itself in the field of English education. However, the importance of Communication Studies was felt with the growing media industry and a globalised market. In the year 2000, realizing the importance of imparting skills and expertise in media, the Northeast Campus of the CIEFL launched a one year diploma programme in Mass Communication.

In the course of time, the programme produced many practitioners in the field of journalism and mass communication to serve the north eastern region. The Northeast Campus of the CIEFL gained in heights and accolades in the process. Finally, in 2007, the CIEFL was elevated to EFL University, a Central University by an Act of Parliament. However, the new university continued with the programmes of the CIEFL and its mandate provides for academic excellence. Keeping the mandate of the university in view, Journalism and Mass Communication started at the Shillong Campus of the university.

The Department has two programmes in Mass Communication and Journalism since 2010 :

BA Hons Mass Communication and Journalism MA Mass Communication and Journalism

Vision

To inspire, to train and to specialise young minds who are determined to make a mark in the field of Journalism and Mass Communication through hands on experience and blended learning and grooming them to be the future responsible media professionals

Objectives

The course structure of the department provides theoretical and critical knowledge and also gives hands on experience on various technical skills. It also aims to instill an academic mindset that encourages research activities that will aid in developing a thorough understanding of media and communication issues. The department broadly looks into two important aspects of communication studies. Skill based courses; Train students in critical engagement in understanding the forms, content, production, analysis and performance of media. To create awareness for fair and ethical practices of journalism and other creative activities like film-making, advertising and public relations so as to encourage the active use of media for social change and development. With the rise in the concentration of diverse forms of regional language media in the northeastern region, the department seeks to study and document the scope and development of media in the region. Facilities Library and e-journal including journals access facility. Film library with a wide collection of movies and documentaries. Studio/lab facility with: A multi-camera studio facility complete with a studio floor, production control room, three cameras, online audio & video mixing and recording facility with one Video Tape Recorder Chroma-keying facility. Four single camera production units (HD and Mini DV) with microphones, camera support systems & other accessories. Portable lighting kits. Two non-linear edit suites with colour correction, CD/DVD writing facilities. Digital audio software for radio production which includes a recording floor with various kinds of professional microphones and equipments for production and post-production. Students use Audacity for their recording & editing needs. Desktop Publishing Software for Layout and Design Classes Ten Personal Computers with internet facility. Hostel accommodation for outstation students.