Journalism Institute IIJNM Shuts Down Due To Reduced Number Of Applicants

Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), Bengaluru, once many journalism aspirants’ dream of being a student of the institute is now forced to close down due to the decline in the number of applicants. The premium journalism institute, on June 14, announced that it would no longer offer programmes in media after a historic 24-year term. The decision left many who once dreamed of getting into the college to pursue journalism in shock.

The institute cited a decline in applications as it could not receive the minimum number of applicants for this academic year. The candidates who secured admission were informed by the management to provide their bank details to refund the course fee. When asked about the steps IIJNM take to help the students who have already been admitted, a faculty member said at present, they will refund the fee within ten days and that the students hopefully find other colleges to pursue their course.

The faculty member also termed the development unfortunate. “It was rather unfortunate that the institute is closing down and we have to slowly come to terms with it, but this was the only option the management had.” The New Indian Express quoted the faculty as saying.

The institute had been providing 11 months of undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas in three mediums — Print, Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism.

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However, in an Email addressed to the students, it said that given the recent environment in which it has been operating without an adequate number of students, the institute can’t attract enough students.

“In the past 24 years, IIJNM has been a school of excellence in the Journalism profession offering the best programme among colleges in India. However, given the recent environment in which we have been operating, it is not possible to attract enough students to avoid huge financial losses to continue the programme,” reads the message.

The closure of the admission in IIJNM follows last year’s COMMITS (Convergence of Media, Multimedia and Information Technology), another journalism school in Bengaluru’s decision to discontinue its 23-year legacy due to the lack of applicants.

The students  who were admitted to the IIJNM have been in distress due to the abrupt closure without “warning”

“There was no warning or heads-up given. Since I got my admission early, I didn’t bother applying to many other places as a backup. So, when I got the email, I was completely clueless and left with absolutely no options. Now I have to choose a college for my Master’s based on whoever is still taking admissions, and there are only a few options,” the media house quoted an aspirant who was admitted at IIJNM. He also said that most of his friends and colleagues have already started classes at their regular, adding that it was not just a financial thing but his choice of education.

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Notably, many took to social media, expressing their shock and pain at the closure of the institute, noting that it was one of their cherished institutes. Many on social media remembered the days they struggled to get into college as it was a matter of pride being a student of the IIJNM then.

The situation also presents the plight of journalism in India, where students appear to be losing interest in the career