Bhubaneswar: Xavier University, India’s first Jesuit university, opened its communication department Thursday in the presence of a people from film and academic circles.
Archita Sahu, a popular actress of Odia film industry, opened Xavier School of Communications (XCOMM) while Amitabh Shukla, an award-winning film editor, inaugurated the Xavier Studios that houses online video set-up, audio studio and the floor.
University vice chancellor Jesuit Father Paul Fernandes, who opened the student edit suites, predicted that the new school has the potential to become one of the best media schools in India.
Jesuit Father Tony Uvary, the registrar, cut the ribbon for Still Photography Studios while his assistant Fr. Arockiadas inaugurated the faculty rooms.
Deans of different schools and staff, students and parents of the students witnessed the function.
The function was conducted at the studio floor.
Jesuit Father Lourduraj Ignacimuthu, dean of Xavier School of Communications, welcomed the gathering.
Sahu and Shukla congratulated the vice chancellor for dedicating the school to the people of Odisha. They said they were glad to be part of opening program. Shukla was a former student of Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.
The dignitaries went around the studio to see various facilities available. Earlier, they interacted with the students and addressed their queries about the media industry and prospective careers in mass media.
The students who just joined the course the previous day were seen handling the cameras for an online video production. Hudson Taylor, a sound engineer from Hyderabad, had done the sound proofing for the studios and the whole took round seven months for completion.
XCOMM offers MA Mass Communication, BSc Mass Communication, Post Graduate diplomas in Film and TV Production and Broadcast Journalism.