Calicut, October 13: Prof. (Dr.) Syed Amjid Ahmad, the pioneering media educator and researcher who redefined the direction of media studies in Kerala, died on Monday, October 13, 2025. He was 74.

With his quiet intellect, gentle discipline, and deep commitment to education, Prof. Ahmad spent over four decades shaping the contours of journalism and mass communication in Kerala and beyond. To generations of students and colleagues, he was not merely a teacher — he was a visionary who believed that media could educate, empower, and enlighten society.

A Scholar’s Journey

A native of Kerala with a keen academic spirit, Syed Amjid Ahmad earned his M.Sc. and M.S. degrees in Journalism from Bangalore University (1971–76). From the very beginning, he viewed media not as a career of glamour but as a lifelong mission of service through education.

In 1978, he began his academic career as a Lecturer-in-Charge at the University of Kerala, and a year later, he joined the Department of Journalism at the University of Calicut — a young department that was just taking shape.

It was then, under the leadership of Prof. M.R. Dua of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, that the Bachelor of Journalism programme began. Within two years, Ahmad’s leadership qualities and vision were recognized; he became Head of the Department, a post from which he would build one of the strongest media education centres in South India.

From that point onward, the history of the Calicut University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication became inseparable from the life and work of Prof. Syed Amjid Ahmad.

From Research to Reform

Before entering the classroom, Prof. Ahmad had been part of a landmark moment in Indian television history — the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE). The project, regarded as India’s first major step into educational broadcasting, shaped his ideas about the power of media as a tool for learning.

Armed with this experience, he introduced a practical, research-based approach to journalism education at Calicut. In 1979, he founded Calicut Chronicle, a student newspaper offering hands-on training in reporting, editing, and layout. Later, in 1985, he launched News Today, an evening daily that became a model for experiential learning in journalism.

These were not mere student projects; they were pioneering educational experiments that bridged the gap between theory and practice, between the classroom and the newsroom.

Ahead of His Time

A man of foresight, Prof. Ahmad was among the earliest in India to realize that the future of journalism lay in technology and convergence. In 1985–86, he drafted the two-year Master’s Programme in Journalism and Communication, giving special focus to Audio-Visual Journalism — a visionary addition in the pre-digital era.

By 1992–93, he established a Video Editing Laboratory, equipping the department to train students in emerging electronic media skills. He consistently upgraded the syllabus to include new trends, from photojournalism to multimedia writing, ensuring that Calicut’s students remained in step with global changes in media technology.

Institution Builder

When Prof. Ahmad noticed that practical facilities were still insufficient for the growing field of audio-visual education, he began advocating for a specialized centre for research and production. His perseverance led to the creation of the Audio Visual Research Centre (AVRC) at the University of Calicut in 1995–96, with support from the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Later renamed the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMMRC), the institution became a hub for educational content creation and multimedia innovation. Under his guidance, it developed numerous documentaries, instructional films, and multimedia lessons — many of which went on to win national recognition.

By 1997, technical writing and digital production had become signature strengths of Calicut University’s media programmes, thanks to his leadership.

Digital Pioneer

Long before e-learning became a global trend, Prof. Ahmad foresaw the potential of digital education. He was the first in India to develop pilot e-content modules for higher education, setting the template for universities across the country.

He also conducted national workshops on e-content development, training educators to adapt to the new digital landscape.

During the 2008 parliamentary elections, he organized opinion polls for television networks, blending academic research with real-world media practice — another milestone for the University of Calicut.

He later designed the Bachelor of Multimedia programme, aligning media education with the demands of a rapidly digitizing world.

A Teacher Beyond Borders

After retiring from the University of Calicut, Prof. Ahmad continued to teach as Adjunct Faculty at Bangalore University, continuing to inspire a new generation of students. His influence reached far beyond India’s borders, guiding students from Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

One of his former students, Jemimah Nyaboke from Kenya, recalled:

“He communicated with his heart and touched our lives deeply. I remember his gentle, fatherly voice as he corrected and guided me through my thesis. He was more than a teacher — he was a mentor and a moral compass.”

Tributes from Colleagues and Students

Prof. H.S. Eswara, former professor of communication and psychology at Bangalore University, described Dr. Ahmad as “a first-rate scholar, a lovable teacher, a sophisticated researcher, and a fine human being.”

Dr. Syed Iqbal Hasnain, renowned glaciologist and former Vice Chancellor of Calicut University, said Dr. Ahmad’s leadership brought numerous awards and recognitions for the university’s documentaries and films.

“He made lasting contributions to promoting education through multimedia,” Dr. Hasnain noted.

In his condolence message, Vice Chancellor P. Raveendran remembered Dr. Ahmad as “a dedicated teacher who inspired his students and broadened their horizons, leaving an enduring legacy at Calicut University.”

Film editor Suresh Pai described him as “a visionary editor and a guiding force in the world of media and communication. His commitment to excellence inspired countless journalists and media professionals.”

A Legacy That Endures

To his students, Prof. Ahmad was not only a professor but also a symbol of patience, innovation, and integrity — a man who taught that journalism was not just about storytelling, but about truth-telling.

He leaves behind his wife Rahana and son Saad, along with a legacy that continues to shape classrooms, studios, and newsrooms across India.

As his colleagues and students remember him, one sentiment echoes above all: Prof. Syed Amjid Ahmad gave media education in Kerala not just a structure — but a soul.

“He showed us that the real power of media lies not in noise or fame, but in knowledge and empathy,” said one of his students quietly, standing beside his photograph at the university department he built from scratch.

Farewell, dear Professor. You taught Kerala how to see, how to question, and how to communicate.