26 April,2013 06:46 AM IST | | Kranti Vibhute
Professors teaching students of Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) in colleges under Mumbai University are bristling over the appointment of Dr Ancy Jose, principal of Nagindas Khandwala College, as the chairperson of the university's Board of Studies (BOS) for BMM.
Their disgruntlement is rooted in the fact that the academician is a professor of mathematics, having little to do with media studies. The board has four members, besides the chairperson Jose, who was appointed last year. Among other duties, the members are vested with the responsibility of revising the syllabus to include latest trends and techniques in media.
Swati Das, (name changed) a professor of BMM in a South Mumbai College, said, "Is it okay to appoint a media professor as chairperson of a BOS for Science? Then why was a Maths professor appointed as chairperson of the BOS for BMM? The university should have taken the pains to search for someone with a PhD in media studies."
Dr Ancy Jose defended her appointment, saying, "I have been looking after the BMM section in my college right from its inception in 2003. I have made good contribution to the development of the media. It's my area of interest. My PhD is in the higher education, which gives insight into all academic fields." Naresh Chandra, pro-vice chancellor, University of Mumbai, said, "BMM is an interdisciplinary course. Dr Jose has experience in handling that course in her college. So she has been appointed."
