About the Department
The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) of Rajshahi University is one of the leading centers in Bangladesh for teaching-learning and research in the field of communication, media and culture. It is the second oldest academic institution in the country opened to study and research in this specified discipline, developed with the essences of different branches of knowledge like social science, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, linguistics, history and much more.
The first priority of DoMCJ is to equip students for meaningful lives and productive careers. For accomplishment of this, students are provided with the opportunity to acquire a liberal education to the extent of their abilities, achieve competence in their discipline, explore the significant issues confronting society, and develop a heightened sense of responsible citizenship.
Keeping this in mind, the academic program at DoMCJ is aimed to:
-be responsive to the needs of students in a rapidly changing society and to new developments in the understanding of communication, media and society;
– assist students to become mature adults capable of continuous self-education;
– develop awareness of self, others, and the environment;
– develop understanding of various approaches to knowledge;
– develop the ability to choose values critically.
Established in 1992, the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism has long been recognized as a leader in journalism education in Bangladesh. The School has produced thousands of distinguished graduates. The BSS and MSS programs prepare students for dynamic careers in many traditional and new fields—working in media industries, or in other industries but within communications, and as entrepreneurs.
At present almost three hundred students are engaged in learning the discipline of Mass Communication and Journalism. Around 250 Under-Graduate and 50 are Post-Graduate students comprises the number. Till now, 20 batches have successfully completed their under Graduate and Post-Graduate programs from this department. The number of students acquired Under Graduate degree till today is 765 while the Post-Graduates are 613 in number. It may not be left to mention that one fellow has since accomplished PhD and six others M. Phil Degree from this department. Six more fellows have been enrolled for PhD Degree and six else for M. Phil under the auspices of the department.
Many of the former students of this department are now working efficiently in almost all the leading national newspapers, such as Prothom-alo, Samakal, Kaler Kantha, Ittefaq etc., television channels such as NTV, Jamuna TV, Somoy TV, Independent TV, Channel 24, Maasranga TV, Channel I, ATN, ATN news etc., online news portals. Many are working at radio channels, news agencies of the country and at different local news media.
Former students of this department are now serving in different Government offices, international organizations, multi-national companies, development sectors, NGOs and corporate houses is also considerable.
The department has been giving leadership in the sphere of cultivation of University based unrestrained thought and free intellect. The spirited role of this department in the political catastasis and towards establishment of democracy in the country has been nationally recognized today. The courageous role of the teachers of the department in the incident of female students’ outburst in Rajshahi University in the year 2005 also proved praiseworthy. Beside this, three teachers of this department were charged with violation of emergency law for demonstration of protest against repression upon the students and the teachers of Dhaka University at the time of Caretaker Government in 2008 and they had to embrace imprisonment. It is of immense pride that this department is a befitting brother-in-arms of the students and the teachers of other public universities of the country who created glorious history, the elements being their courageous role and self-sacrifice dedication at time of all progressive movements and transitional periods and crisis of the soil and the nation.