Spectrum of creativity

Senior students at Manipal University Dubai showcase their work at an annual event that also serves as a platform to network with industry professionals and gain valuable insights.

Final year media students at Manipal University, Dubai, showcased their work before leading industry professionals at the institution's third annual Spectrum event last week.

The two-day event organised by the Department of Media and Communication, gave students the opportunity to attend seminars and workshops conducted by senior professionals in the fields of advertising, visual communications and print journalism.

Student creations made up of videos, advertisements, photographs and graphic designs lined the campus walls. Eager students lingered in hopes of wooing the high-powered individuals with their work.

As said by two student presenters: "This is the event where student's first documentary sees the light of the projector. A student's first advertisement can relate to another mind and makes them want to smile. Here is the first animation of the mind's creation, dancing to the visualised tunes; and here is the first article penned down by the young journalist that is all set to inspire a thousand minds."

Four main streams - advertising and public relations, print media journalism, visual communications and television and video production- make up a media undergraduate degree at Manipal.

Dr Mohammad Firoz, chairman of the Department of Media and Communications, only finds it fitting to give graduating students a platform to display their creative portfolios. "This is one form of a farewell from the department's side," he told Notes.

In a department of just over 200 students, "it is almost compulsory for every student to submit one piece of work" he said.

"The only thing we insist on is originality."

On the first day of the event, a seminar on contemporary media and society took place. Talks were held by four guest speakers. They tackled topics such as: 'Responsible Journalism a rarity', 'Obama media and the Middle East' and 'Arab Media World'.

Shahjahan Madampatt, content specialist for the Dubai Press Club, spoke on the 'Arab Media World'. He talked about various features that characterise the media in the region such as the launch of Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera English which, he said, made sure the world had an alternative news platform.

"It looks at international events from a distinctly Arab and Asian perspective as opposed to a Western perspective... . My basic point is that the media scene in the Arab world is extremely vibrant," Madampatt said.

A journalist and writer of 15 years, holding a masters degree in the philosophy of Middle Eastern studies, Indian national Madampatt speaks fluent Arabic. His choice of topic reflected his belief that students studying media in the region must gain an understanding of the regional scene.

"If you don't have an understanding of the Arab world you won't be well-equipped to do your job here," he said.

Advertising and public relations student Romit Regio was part of the publicity team that was set the challenge of marketing Spectrum 09. Regio and his classmates managed to get advertising on radio and in print.

Having attended a workshop on the tools and techniques of advertising, he said: "This was like a one-day crash course highlighting the important points we had to learn."

Regio, 20, found the opportunities offered at Spectrum helpful. "It gives final year students an option to learn about the real world and what is happening in the industry just before we enter it... . People who attended it got some sort of idea about how the real world works," he said.

Saira Kasim is a print media journalism student. As one of four students in her course, she has had a rewarding learning experience. Small class numbers gave her a chance to familiarise herself closely with all the print media processes. Her interest lies primarily in proofreading. "I find I have an eye for detail."

Speaking about Spectrum she said: "We get to showcase our portfolios and meet professionals and some people do get placements."

When Notes asked if she hopes to be one of those people, she smiled and said: "Let's see...yes."

Set to graduate next month, Kasim plans to continue her studies and pursue a Masters in English Literature. "It is not a good idea to look for jobs in the market right now. I thought I might as well study for a little bit and when I come back the situation will be better," she said.