Nikhil of 9.9 School of Convergence grabs his dream job with NewsX

Nikhil Bhushan is young, talented, and extremely passionate about his job with NewsX. After receiving his PG diploma in Applied Journalism and Media Communication from 9.9 School of Convergence (SoC), Nikhil is eager to share his journey. The enthusiastic Nikhil tells aspiring journalists how to “work smart and write smart” and elaborates on what it takes to be a journalist, reporting for a 24-hour-live channel. After assigning three self-explanatory adjectives - “best, amazing, and wonderful” - to his favourite journalism school, Nikhil’s answers highlight the essence of journalism and 9.9 School of Convergence in particular.


What is the one reason you will always want to come back to 9.9 School of Convergence?

The entire education system here is unique. The way the program is constructed here is a strong reason for one to come back to 9.9 School of Convergence repeatedly. We even asked the core faculty to make the Applied Journalism and Median Communication course a two-year program and convert it into a MA degree.

Everyone related to 9.9 School of Convergence is special. They come from diverse educational backgrounds. One of my colleagues from class, Rateika Dhawan, comes from a food background and wants to be a food journalist. I can learn something about food journalism from her - the connections with other students is interesting. I did my internship in sports, so I was able to contribute to the institute by telling everyone about sports journalism. The beauty of 9.9 School of Convergence is the diversity of different backgrounds.

Tell us a little about your internship experience. Was it given to you through 9.9 School of Convergence?

Yes, we all secured internships through 9.9 School of Convergence. A few of us went to NewsX. We had a couple of exams and short interviews, then NewsX selected four of us to intern with them.

The 9.9 School of Convergence’s curriculum structure includes six months of internship. Our internship contract with NewsX was for six months, but within three months of experiencing our skill set, NewsX hired all four of us.

Our internships were five days a week and one day in the classroom. We shared our internship experiences in class. The learning was as diverse as where people were working, which included the Times of India, Headlines Today, and Hindustan Times among others.

Once you are in one organization, you tend to learn only about that field in which your organization specializes. Here we got a chance to share, learn, discuss different problems and most importantly - solve those problems. We started learning and understanding the market together, as a team.

“I am learning this in my new company. What are you learning?” - these are the things we used to talk about at SoC. Everyone learns the same thing, but in different ways. At SoC, we’re lucky enough to learn in the most enjoyable and interesting way possible.

Where do you see yourself five years down the line? What will you do to try and ensure that you attain your goals?

I am very happy with the way I started my career - thanks to 9.9 School of Convergence and everyone who made it possible. Five years down the line, I see myself in a better position, not in terms of designation, but in terms of quality of work.

Journalism is much more than cameras and stories. Journalism is about how you report these stories. The story could be bad - the story could perhaps even be not worth reporting - but it’s still a story. It’s up to you how you narrate it. That is what we have learnt here at 9.9 School of Convergence.

It is understandable that in television journalism, there are time constraints and deadlines to keep up with, so it can affect the quality of work. But nonetheless, it is important to ensure that you don’t compromise your writing skills. Always keep your story stable. Always keep your story alive. That is very important, because that is what your viewer wants. Always keeping the viewer in mind is something we learnt at 9.9 School of Convergence. We did a lot of projects to develop these particular communication skills, and I will use them professionally from now on.

What is that one thing that you singularly brought to your job?

I’m an avid researcher and I present a lot of visuals, because when we write we refer to visuals. For example, today is the 24th. I will go home tonight and type “25th  September” on the Internet and see what events are happening tomorrow and form a story in my head before I go to office. That’s where you take the initiative, because everybody is racing against time and competing with each other. Before the editor says you need to do this, you should say “Sir, today this thing is happening and there is a story here we could do.” This is what I have brought to NewsX.

Why did you choose 9.9 School of Convergence? What is the most important thing you gained from here?

I chose to come to Delhi, because Delhi is the capital of journalism, not just the capital of India, and the course structure at 9.9 SoC is something I really liked.

I used to run away from writing. When I was about to join 9.9 School of Convergence, Dr. Eric Saranovitz, our Dean, told me that you will have to write a lot here. I was then a little skeptical. I come from an international relations background, so I was already in the habit of reading but I was never a writer. 9.9 School of Convergence gave me an opportunity to learn the art of writing and undoubtedly my writing etiquette and style developed over time. What I was writing when I first came to SoC and what I write now - well there is a huge improvement.

What message would you like to give your juniors?

Don’t think journalism is easy. Don’t think journalism is about making a report and that’s all you need to do. The market out there is very competitive and can be repressive. Maybe your program/story won’t go on air even after you work your heart and soul out for it. They may say, “Okay fine, but we don’t have time. There is breaking news in. We don’t want your story right now” - and you lose your story.

You have to work smart, write smart. If you want to write smart, write short for television, because there are time constraints. You need to keep your package short, only then it will get space on television. From the very beginning, concentrate on your writing and if you choose television, concentrate on your time management.

Time management is nothing but smart work. Don’t think that by getting into details you will do well here. You can do detailed work, but in sections, in parts, when it is demanded. The details cannot come first. If your piece is three minutes long, nobody will air that story. That length of story works for print, but not television. If you want to provide details in television, your work has to be crisp.

So all those who want to join 9.9 School of Convergence or want to go into television or any other form of journalism, don’t think it’s an easy job. The task is hard. Your priority changes every half an hour and you’ve got to decide what to prioritize. Be prepared for a world that is going to let you socialize as much as you would like to. If you can take on the rigors of this industry and come to terms with them, you will do well. You will excel.

SSBS:Prof. Colin Eden and Prof. Bhimaraya Metri of Strathclyde SKIL Business School (SSBS) agree on how accreditation out-ranks rankings

International accreditation, not ranking, is the hallmark of a top business school in today’s global market - and Strathclyde SKIL Business School (SSBS) as a part of University of Strathclyde Business School (SBS) enjoy the status of three such accreditations, putting it in a very select group.

SBS is accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA), which Prof. Bhimaraya Metri noted in a Times of India article “are three of the most highly regarded international accreditations in the realm of higher business education.”

EQUIS focuses on school diversity and relationships with the business world, AACSB puts emphasis on how a school uses its resources to bring it up to a top level and AMBA concentrates on the quality and relevance of programs.

“Worldwide less than five per cent of B-schools are accredited by AACSB,” said Prof. Metri, “1.05 per cent of B-schools are accredited by EQUIS and 1.5 per cent of B-schools are accredited by AMBA. Only less than one per cent of business schools (55 B-schools) in the world hold ‘triple accreditations’ from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA.”

Prof. Colin Eden, Vice-Dean and Director of the International Division of Strathclyde University says students must give more weight to accreditations compared to rankings, pointing out: “Rankings are very volatile. A university one year can be ranked 50, the next year it can get ranked 80, or vice-versa. Things cannot change that rapidly in the academic world.”

Accreditations are really difficult to come by, says Prof. Eden, requiring lots of paperwork and documentation, followed by visits from a panel of three Deans from across the globe who meet with staff, students, alumni and employers to determine the quality of education being given to students.

But such accreditations assure both students and the corporate world their education was obtained at a school of international acclaim - one that teaches the skills employers require.

Placement Blueprint: An event by IMT Ghaziabad

Placement Blueprint, an interesting event based on the current market scenario, saw students participating in large numbers. It dealt with the difficulties of a retail chain store in a market like India and was designed to test the participants’ knowledge about the retail sector and their ability to gauge the customer's mindset.

The event was designed around the entry of an international retail store in the Indian market- Blue Bazaar- which has been successful in various countries worldwide, is all set to open its branch in India. So it has floated a blueprint of the available store space. At the event, the participants were given this blueprint along with other relevant data like the socio- economic classification of the population, the level of education and the floor plan. As retail management students and future managers in the retail sector, the participants were expected to have an in-depth knowledge of the various available brands, customer profile and the best shelf-space utilisation. They were asked to device the best way of displaying the products on the store shelves, making them easy to locate and attractive.

The participants were asked to come up with 10 product categories with 3 brands in each. These categories and brands had to be decided keeping in mind the target customers. The final round consisted of laying the store’s planogram.

It was interesting to see the way budding managers from various institutes came up with innovative ideas. The efforts and ideas of all the participants were well worth appreciating. The event was judged by Mr. P.Gopalakrishnan from IndusInd Bank and Mr. Ranjan Jha, Principal Consultant at Foresight Group International AG. Team Madmen from IIFT-Delhi were declared the winners.

After the event, the participants too couldn’t stop thanking the organizers for this wonderful opportunity to showcase their talent and learn a lot of things in the process. They found Placement Blueprint to be different from the usual B-school events. As one of the winners put it: “This is a good event, novel idea, probably very different from any other event we have been part of.” At the same time, like another student pointed out: “I knew all the theory but when it came to applying it in this particular case study it was very difficult.” Most of the participants agreed that events like these are better than the routine classroom sessions as they compel the students to think and act in a real time market situation.

The participants also praised the IMT G campus and the arrangements made by the management. All in all, the event was a roaring success.

Strathclyde SKIL Business School launches BBS Admissions

Strathclyde SKIL Business School, the joint B-School initiative by Indian infrastructure pioneer SKIL Infrastructure Limited and Strathclyde Business School, one of the most innovative and largest business schools of its kind in the UK and in Europe is announcing the launch of Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS).

With a sharp focus on leadership effectiveness, entrepreneurial initiatives, multicultural understanding, social responsibility and sustainable development, Strathclyde SKIL Business School (SSBS) is now open for admissions for its academic session 2012- 2015.

Located in Greater Noida/NCR the SSBS undergraduate programme Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) is specifically designed to meet the needs of Indian students seeking a global qualification. The world class BBS course is planned with a curriculum that will be delivered by a carefully chosen and highly qualified faculty. 50% of the faculty is from Strathclyde Business School (SBS), Glasgow while the other 50% are Indian teachers and academicians of impeccable repute.

The three-year Bachelor of Business Studies programme forms an excellent foundation for those seeking a degree in both business and management. Cutting edge research and knowledge in their chosen fields is an integral aspect of this three year BBS course.

Professor Bhimaraya Metri, Dean, Strathclyde SKIL Business School, says, “Upon graduation, students of SSBS will join a Strathclyde’s worldwide alumni network that are performing influential roles in the world of business and management and have attained the pinnacles of success.”

During the first year, students will be taken through a diverse spectrum of subjects, introducing them to various concepts that will build a strong foundation for specialization.

In the second year, BBS students progress to advanced subjects and specialised electives, taking courses at SBS, Glasgow, Scotland.

The third and final year sees students through two additional major specialisation courses and one minor specialisation course.

Students joining SSBS will possess several distinct advantages:

- A degree awarded by the University of Strathclyde

- Over 50% of the courses will be taught by faculty from Strathclyde B School in Scotland

- Study at campuses located in India and Scotland thereby gaining cross cultural experiences and developing into management leaders possessing global perspectives

- Industry interactions will give students the added advantage of practical experience coupled by thorough theory in the classroom

- All academic and intellectual resources of SBS, UK will be available to them

Highly accomplished international museum expert, George Jacob, visited the Young India Fellowship (YIF) campus.

Highly accomplished international museum expert, George Jacob, visited the Young India Fellowship (YIF) campus in South Delhi last Friday evening to reveal to Fellows some of the fascinating secrets behind the global museum sector.

Indian-born, Canada-raised Jacob explained how museums have the potential to drive economies, preserve culture and contribute to the collective memory of a community or nation. The Yale graduate has been involved in more than $200 million in museum projects world-wide, including those for the Smithsonian and NASA-Ames funded Astronomy and Cultural Centre.

Jacob was the 39th notable guest speaker to address Fellows since the YIF programme began in May. He spoke exclusively to Fellows during his visit to India, the guest of a fellow BITS-Pilani alumnus. Jacob had come to the university to deliver a lecture in March last year, when Fellow, Sudheer Marisetty, was student union president.

Jacob started his talk – Creating Cultural Capital: Museum Design-Build Industry – by telling Fellows about various renowned museums and exhibits across the world, such as the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, the Contemporary Arts Centre in China and the Louis Vuitton Fashion Museum. 

In terms of designing museums, the “museologist”, “designing museums is all about communicating stories, because there are a lot of stories that need to be told”.

“Mr Jacob told Fellows about various aspects of project development and the variety of skills that go into designing museums. He also spoke about the whole process of developing museums as being about listening to and thinking with clients, because in the end, it is the client’s culture that you represent,” Sudheer said.
The “museologist” also mentioned the need to marry technology with liberal arts to come up with innovative designs, as museum design involved a blend of engineering and designing.

“When asked by Fellows about the current challenges the Indian museum industry is facing, he expressed concern about the lack of a policy framework both for museums and fine arts, inadequate training, and the need for mentorship to groom the younger generation. On being asked about what he would like to do in India, he said he would like to work on contemporary themes and that he would specifically work on projects that had an impact on the economy,” Sudheer said.

Jacob said the multi-billion investment in recognising and creating cultural capital worldwide was only beginning its early dawn in India, and elaborated on its enormous potential and on India's soft-power in leveraging this untapped sector.

“With a power to strengthen civil societies, transform regional and local economies and enhance ‘Brand India’, to offering out-sourcing opportunities of a different kind hitherto unexplored, India is virtually sitting on a gold-mine of possibilities – perhaps far richer that those held in the vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple finds, that could become the Museum of the Millennium,” Jacob said.

YIF Deputy Dean Dr Anunaya Chaubey said the lecture opened the minds of the Fellows to the power of design and imagination. “It underscored the need to fuse technology and aesthetics to render any vision and also how culture can drive development and energise an economy,” he said.

Fellows have since the inception of the YIF programme, through the YIF Guest Speaker Series, had the opportunity to interact with the “who’s-who” of the corporate, academic, arts and social worlds, almost twice every week.

Some of these eminent personalities include Pramod Bhasin (founder, Genpact), Sanjeev Aga (ex-MD, Idea Cellular), Sir Robert Swan (Polar explorer and leading environmentalist), Kiran Seth (co-founder, SPICMACAY). The speakers share their views about a wide range of issues, including pursuing one’s passion, and the importance of introspection and life- long learning along, with having a vision for oneself.
Media inquiries: Inga Butefisch, Ph: 9958 170 246, email: inga.butefisch@yifp.in

About YIF:

The Young India Fellowship (YIF), in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania, is the first academic programme in the country to fill the void in higher education for a holistic, multi-disciplinary course based on the liberal arts. A one-year, fully funded residential scholarship, YIF has been specially conceived and designed to create the country’s finest, most socially conscious leaders. Each year’s batch of 50-plus Fellows will take subjects including Analytical Thinking, Leadership, Writing and Listening Skills, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, History, Economics and Statistics as well as classes designed to bring out their creativity, such as Art Appreciation and Latin Dancing. They will undertake a unique experiential learning internship, and gain practical work experience through a real-life project. Fellows will be taught by leading thinkers from respected universities both in India and abroad, and will be mentored by some of India’s best known leaders, chosen for their ability to be outstanding motivators and role models. YIF is the precursor to Ashoka University, a world-class university focused on the liberal arts and sciences, set to open in the Delhi NCR in 2013. Ashoka’s founders, the International Foundation for Research and Education (IFRE), envision the university as India’s finest centre of higher education, comparable to the leading research-based, multi-disciplinary universities in the world.

About George Jacob:

India-born Canadian museologist George Jacob has planned, designed and established museums and award-winning educational experiences spanning 11 countries and is among the leading museum thinkers of our times. Former Smithsonian intern and Canadian Commonwealth Fellow, he was educated with Degrees in Museum Studies, Social Anthropology and Leadership at the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, University of Toronto and Yale School of Management.  With a track record of over $200 million in museum projects worldwide, he is the recipient of an unprecedented $19 million in US Federal and State grants and the author of the seminal books Museum Design: The FUTURE and the sequel Exhibit Design: The FUTURE. Diverse museum projects cover a range of academic and popular pursuits. During these years, he has had the distinction of being the founding Director of three museums including the $30 million NASA-Ames funded Astronomy & Cultural Centre, Vice President of OMSI, OMNIMAX facility, Chair of numerous professional committees on museum ethics, policy, museum law, standards and curatorial practices. He was honoured to be the Project Director for the production of the Star Spangled Banner (the 1812 flag that inspired the American National Anthem)  permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian in Washington DC dedicated to the nation by President George W. Bush. He is, at present, the Principal Advisor to a $266 million 8 museum cluster project in the making jointly with MIT.