SUMMARY OF THE EVENT:

The Department of Media Studies, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Ramapuram, successfully organised the Freshers' Orientation Programme 2026–2027 – “Ignite Your Journey” on 9 July 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Preview Theater, PG Dental Block, with the participation of 70 students. The programme was convened by Dr. V. Prabakaran and coordinated by Ms. B. K. Haripriya and Ms. Padmavathy P. S. The orientation programme was organised to warmly welcome the newly admitted students and introduce them to the academic, creative, and professional opportunities available in the fields of media, journalism, filmmaking, animation, visual effects, and digital communication. The programme featured three distinguished resource persons from the media and entertainment industry: Mr. Amir Shahinsha, Head, Basilic Fly Studio; Mr. Sri Ganesh, Film Director; and Ms. Lakshmi Subramanian, Chief of Bureau, Chennai, The Week. The programme commenced with an introduction to the Department of Media Studies, its academic programmes, vision, curriculum, and opportunities for professional and creative development. In the first session, Mr. Amir Shahinsha shared valuable insights into career opportunities in animation, visual effects, gaming, and digital content creation. He highlighted the importance of creativity, technical expertise, teamwork, adaptability, and continuous learning in the rapidly evolving media industry. The second session was led by Mr. Sri Ganesh, Film Director, who shared his professional journey and provided students with practical insights into filmmaking, scriptwriting, direction, storytelling, creative thinking, and the challenges associated with pursuing a career in the film industry. He encouraged students to remain passionate, disciplined, innovative, and persistent in achieving their creative aspirations. The third session was delivered by Ms. Lakshmi Subramanian, Chief of Bureau, Chennai, The Week, who discussed the changing media landscape, responsible journalism, ethical reporting, media credibility, factual communication, and the role of journalists in shaping public opinion. She emphasised the importance of integrity, critical thinking, professional ethics, and social responsibility in the media profession. An interactive question-and-answer session provided students with an opportunity to engage directly with the resource persons and seek guidance on career opportunities, internships, higher education, professional expectations, and emerging trends in media and communication. The programme enabled students to gain a broader understanding of the media and entertainment industry and motivated them to develop creativity, communication skills, professionalism, ethical values, technical competencies, and confidence. The orientation also helped students understand the importance of industry-oriented learning and continuous professional development as they begin their academic journey in Media Studies. The programme contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, by promoting experiential learning, industry interaction, awareness of emerging media technologies, responsible journalism, media literacy, and ethical communication. Overall, the Freshers' Orientation Programme 2026–2027 – “Ignite Your Journey” provided an inspiring and informative beginning to the students' academic journey, connecting classroom education with professional experiences and encouraging them to explore their creative potential while developing into responsible, skilled, and socially conscious media professionals.