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Directorate Of Communication
The Background G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology has the privilege of having the first centre of communication within any State Agriculture University in India. Although the Communication Centre was created in 1970, its roots can be traced back to the first decade Communication function had earlier been carried out by several different units scattered throughout the University. The journey towards communication centre was started with realization of need for communication for fulfillment of teaching, research and education mission of the first agricultural university. The generous grant from Ford Foundation helped in procurement of equipments, getting overseas training and consultant services. University remodeled one wing of the College of Agriculture for the Communication Centre and administratively reorganized some of it personnel to provide the initial staff. Subsequently, new positions were added and people were recruited to fill them. Some land marks in the journey towards communication centre are as below : 1961 Appointment of two artists signaled beginning of audiovisual service 1965 Appointment of oilman and procurement of utility printer represented beginning of university press 1967 Information and publication section was started in Extension Directorate 1968 The first magazine for Farmers and Extension personnel “Kisan Bharti” was launched 1969 Plan to bring the communication activities of the University together under one umbrella was conceptualized in collaboration with Ford Foundation 1970 The beginning of historic unit called Communication Centre, first of its kind in the country Communication was recognized as an important input for development to disseminate and create dialogue among different stakeholders about the technologies and issues of agriculture, environment and sustainable development. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, established a Communication Centre with the help and support from ICAR and UNDP. A humble beginning was made with establishment of radio studio and procurement of television equipments. Over the years the Centre has flowered into a full-fledged Directorate. The Directorate now has well developed infrastructure of radio programme production, video production, photography and audio visual media. It operates in close collaboration with well trained faculty members and technical personnel of the Department of Agricultural Communication. In past it was supported by UNDP/FAO/ICAR funds for international training of faculty in communication, visit of international experts to develop curriculum and initiation of Master’s and doctoral programmes in Agricultural Communication at the College of Agriculture. Our Mandate -To disseminate information for the farmers through different mass media The major emphasis of the existing information service of the Centre is to disseminate information through radio, television and publications. The advances made in the field of information and communication technologies call for our attention toward their application to reach the unreached -To provide distance learning opportunities Open and Distance learning provide immense scope a education in far flung areas. The premier agricultural university can not restrict itself within the campus. -To organize training in communication A vast machinery of field functionaries is engaged in development work today. This includes workers directly involved in agricultural information and communication work. These field functionaries have not fully succeeded in producing the desired results because of their out-dated approach and technique. -To conduct researches on communication for development The sooner this is done, the greater would be the benefit as it would server as a model for other centres. -To provide audiovisual services for teaching and research This is needed to support the academic mission of the university. Faculty and Officers: The Directorate of Communication works hand in glove with the Department of Agricultural Communication situated in the College of Agriculture in order to harness the strength of both academic and practice. The faculty members have been trained in different specializations of communication both in India and abroad. There exists a pool of talents and technical infra structure in the Directorate of Communication to apply them in the field. Thus all the faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Communication are involved in different media production activities. However, the following have direct involvement:
Our Units
Video Production Unit is well equipped
with necessary facilities for production of video programmes. The
unit has one editing and one recording room equipped with latest
cameras Radio Production Unit produces radio programmes relevant for farmers and extension personnel. The centre has well-equipped radio studio in which about 200 radio programmes are produced in a year for the benefit of the farmers. These programmes are being broadcast through different All India Radio Stations. Farm School on Air Realizing the importance of radio in rural communication a programme on ‘Farm School on Air’ has been launched since 2001 to provide systematic radio lessons to interested farmers on different important topics of current interest in agriculture and allied subjects. So far Farm School on AIR has been broadcast on themes likely Rice Production, Sugarcane, Organic Farming, Litchi Production, Importance of Agriculture Implements, Floriculture, Integrated Insect & Pest Management and Fisheries Production, etc. Community Radio System (FM Radio) Community Radio is a powerful medium to reach the un-reached in far flung, rural areas in the hills of Uttarakhand. An innovation in development communication, community radio aims to fulfill the needs and aspirations of the local community through information, dialogue and education. Keeping in view the Directorate has approached the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India to establish a Community Radio System (F.M. Radio) at Pantnagar in order to broadcast knowledge based programmes as per the demand of the local people.
Media Centre was started on December 30, 2004 to facilitate the media persons and improving communication about the university activities to general public and other stakeholders. This centre sends press releases related to university functions/programmes, activities/achievements to various Hindi and English newspapers through fax and e-mail for publication in regional and national newspapers. The Section maintains contacts with representative the mass media and assists them in coverage of university news. It also maintains up-to-date information about the University news and events.
Photography Unit produces photographs, exhibits and display materials for teaching, training, extension and other activities like kisan melas, state, national and international exhibitions and for information centers of the colleges. About 2500-3000 photographs and slides are prepared every year.
Audio-visual and Projection Unit provides support for screening of video films for training and teaching purpose. Besides audio services, slides and overhead projection facilities are also made available by this unit for teaching, training, seminars, symposia, conferences, workshops, etc. Distance Learning Programme: The open learning system is unique and challenging mode of education offered at the university level. This system provides ample opportunities for those who desire to have university education at their place of work or residence. The university in collaboration with IGNOU has established centre at Pantnagar. Presently the Centre is running 11 UG/PG level programmes on different degree/diploma programmes since January 2008. In addition to above the University is also contemplating to start its own Open Distance Learning for the benefit of the youths, women and adults. Training The Directorate has organized training courses for SAU teachers, communication experts, field workers, ICAR scientists, technical personnel and NGO workers with the support of different funding bodies like UNDP, ICAR, WB, UNICEF, etc. The directorate is in a unique position to provide communication training to teachers, trainers and development personnel in the following areas:
Facilities available
Contact for further Information to
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and non-linear editing system for production. It produces video
programmes for teaching, training
and telecasting from Doordarshan Kendra, Delhi, Lucknow and Bareilly.
About 8-10 educational programmes are produced every year by this
unit. Besides, regular news capsules are fed to the media on topical
themes. This unit also serves as a laboratory for teaching purpose
for the students of M.Sc. (Agricultural Extension and
Communication). The unit has involved interested students under
‘Earn While You Learn’ scheme for assistance in anchoring, sound
recording and editing. A monthly documentary on news and events of
the campus is prepared and shown regularly on cable network. This
also serves as audiovisual documentation of the University
activities.
Kisan Bharti and Indian Farmers' Digest are brought out every month
for the farmers and extension workers both the magazines have been
immensely popular only with farmers in the Country but also in
neighboring countries. A quarterly magazine Pantnagar news also
being published to disseminate information to different stoke
holders regarding progress and achievements of the University.
Besides, a variety of other print materials like leaflet, folders
and technical bulletins are also published by this unit.
