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Feedback from Mr Abhaya R. Joshi (SAF Scholar from Nepal) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

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Testimony UMCSAJ, Chennai, India - 30th May 2014

Mr Abhaya R. Joshi (SAF Scholar from Nepal)

New Media


The 10 months at ACJ were fruitful, interesting and worthwhile.

The Key Issues and the Media Perspective lectures were the highlights of the course for me. The things discussed in the classes were not entirely new to me, but it was interesting to see how similar a history Nepal shares with India. The lectures helped me understand Indian media and politics and their nuances – things that I would not have been able to navigate through on my own.

The discussions I had with my classmates outside of class were also fruitful. ACJ has diversity not only in terms of geography, but also in terms of political ideology. This was what made the discussions and debates interesting.

I think this is what regional cooperation is all about.

The Covering Deprivation module was also one of my favourites. The effort that Prof Nagraj put in to prepare for the lectures was commendable. Similarly, New Media faculty members were very helpful and above all receptive to ideas. The international projects that we were part of are examples of this.

The scholarship gave me an opportunity to travel around India and experience life in different parts of the country. I travelled to Delhi, Ooty, Vellore and Pondicherry – all places unique in their culture and way of life. Images from these places will come to my mind, whenever I will think of India.

All this said, there are some areas in which I thought the college could have done better. For example, the deadlines could have been adhered to more often, and grading could have been more uniform.

I would also like to use this opportunity to suggest that SAF scholars be allowed to sit for placements -- at least those students who do not need work permits. I would also like to suggest that the college invite academics from outside India to talk on media and politics in the sub-continent.

I would like to thank you, the entire ACJ family and the SAF for being wonderful hosts.