Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Spectrum '08 ends in Spectacular Style

Spectrum '08, the media extravaganza organised by the Department of Media and Communications, saw a huge turnout on its second and final day - May 21st, 2008.

Day II of Spectrum consisted of a series of workshops on topics ranging from multimedia to radio presentation and branding to personality development.

Mr. Murtuza Zakir, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, conducted the workshop on 'Multimedia, Animation and Special Effects'. The session gave students the opportunity to understand the reality behind the animation and special effects that are used in film and video content.

Mr. Zakir ran through some popular designing softwares and compositing applications - Max and Combustion to name a few. Mr. Zakir also demonstrated how to create a 3D object and techniques such as 'footstep animation' and 'motion capture', among other things. He also devoted a considerable amount of time to answering students' queries about job opportunities in the field of animation and graphic designing.



Mr. Murtuza Zakir shares his experience about animation and design softwares
- Photograph by Deepthi Unnikrishnan -


The workshop on 'Radio Presentation', by Mr. Sachin K., was devoted to the exploration of radio production and programming as well as a discussion on the various job opportunities that are available in the specialised field of radio. Radio production, programmme planning, radio events and music scheduling were some of the job avenues that were touched upon during this interactive session.

Advertisements, promos and scripting for radio were individually deliberated upon. News in radio and the multitude of jobs available in this sector were taken up as well. All in all, the 20-odd attendees at this workshop came out with a better idea about radio as a career choice.

Mr. Santosh Unnithan conducted a workshop dedicated entirely to 'Personality Development'. This interactive session gave the participants a better understanding of how best to carry themselves, build their confidence and enrich their personality.

The attendees engaged in the session wholeheartedly, in a bid to enhance their personalities and help them comunicate well with people.

The fourth workshop was conducted on 'Branding' by Mr. Sanjay Nair. Mr. Nair brought in various concepts like brand creation, brand presentation and the purpose behind branding, to the fore. These interactive sessions were both educative and interesting, providing the perfect platform for students to expose themselves to the reality of the media industry.

Said Melissa Khan, a 2nd year student of Media and Communications and a participant at the workshop on 'Multimedia, Animation and Special Effects', "I intend on taking up visual communication in my year of specialisation and thought this workshop would be extremely useful. The session was interactive and the clips shown were familiar to us, aiding us in understanding the concepts faster."

Most attendees at the workshops shared her sentiments. Almost everyone interviewed agreed that the workshops were interactive and conducted in a manner that was easy for a layperson to comprehend. Overall, they seemed extremely happy about the entire experience.
These sessions were followed by lunch, after which the 'Year Book' was released by Mr. Santosh Unnithan and Dr. Firoz, Chair, Department of Media and Communications.

The much anticipated student year book is finally unveiled (from left to right): Mr. Sabir Haque, Dr. Firoz, Mr. Santosh Unnithan, Mr. Joseph John and Ms. H. S. Shubha
- Photograph by Deepthi Unnikrishnan -


In addition, there was an extremely vital session on 'Career Counselling'. Mr. Assis Cardos, Director - Creative Services; Mr. Murtuza Zakir, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics and Ms. Fokiya Akhtar, Adjunct Faculty, Television and Video Production, Manipal University - Dubai Campus, all came together to share some of their experiences and views on their respective fields - that is advertising, animation/graphics and television/film.

Mr. Assis Cardos explains the importance of a secure career to the balance of life
- Photograph by Deepthi Unnikrishnan -


Each of them gave tips on the best way to enter the industry. From writing resumes to interview preparation and personality to prior experience - each concept was discussed in great detail for the benefit of students wanting to get a break in this highly demanding industry.

As proceedings for the day came to a close, the event was declared a grand success. Having thanked the sponsors and support team of the event, the organisers - students and faculty members from the Department of Media and Communications celebrated the success of an event handled solely by them.

Spectrum '08 truly reflected a myriad colours of talent and creativity
- Photograph by Deepthi Unnikrishnan -


Kudos to the entire Department of Media and Communications for putting up such a spectacular show!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Spectrum '08 gets off to a flying start!

After all the initial hype and anticipation, it was finally time for Spectrum '08 to hit the road. An event organised by the Department of Media and Communications, Spectrum is meant to act as a platform to showcase the work of students from the department as well as provide the students with an opportunity to interact with professionals from the media industry.

The event is being held over a period of two days, May 20th - May 21st 2008. It was thus inaugurated on May 20th, in a most special way, with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Mr. Ashfaq Ahmed.

This was followed by an official inauguration in the form of a welcome speech by Dr. Firoz, Chair, Department of Media and Communications. In his opening speech Dr. Firoz summed up the concept behind the event, saying, "Spectrum, apart from exhibiting the creative portfolio of the graduating class of 2008, provides a serious platform for student, academic and industry interaction."

With this idea in mind, the department has put up a brilliant display of their students' best works. Creative photographs, advertising campaigns, short video productions and written articles by the media students are all on view for visitors to enjoy. Spread across the ground and second floor of Manipal University's Dubai Campus, these stunning exhibits bear ample testimony to the abundant talent that prevails in the Department of Media and Communications.




Visitors enjoy an exhibit of photographs shot by media students
- Photograph by Mitalee Kurdekar -


Having looked at some of the exhibits, Mr. Vivek Joshi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Business Management, commented, "Spectrum '08 is a great event, especially because everybody has contibuted to it. It is a pleasure to be here." He was especially impressed with the posters on child abuse and racism, he added.

But that was not all. Day one of Spectrum was also marked by an interesting panel discussion on "Consumerism: A Trend in Contemporary Media".
The distinguished set of panelists included Mr. Ron Kapadia, COO, City7; Mr. Syed Ahmad Hussaini, MD, Impact BBDO; Mr. Raju Nagrajan, Managing Editor, The World Magazine and Mr. Navin Kapoor, a Managament Consultant.
Each panel member had five minutes to put forth his views on the subject, as a result of which a number of issues were brought to attention during the course of the dicusssion.


Mr. Hussaini raises a pertinent point
- Photograph by Deepthi Unnikrishnan -


These were then taken up at the time of cross-questioning of the panelists. The discussion had a moderator in Mr. R. N. Shukul, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communications; while there were also two esteemed analysts in the form of Mr. Jacob John, Managing Director, SMTC Media Services and Dr. Firoz, Chair, Department of Media and Communications.
After deliberating over a considerable amount of fascinating perspectives on the subject, the panel then took questions from the audience members. By the end of the session, we ended up with more questions than answers on the subject - a rather conspicuous statement on the vastly intriguing nature of the topic of discussion.
This serious debate was then followed by lunch, after which there was an opportunity for students to learn about the finer nuances of television production. Mr. Rajeev Kheror, Head of Programming, ZEE TV, Middle East, conducted a seminar on 'Television Production: Planning and Programming'. Students looking to specialise in this fast-paced medium of communication had much to imbibe from this short, yet detailed session.



Mr. Kheror interacts with media students
- Photograph by Deepthi Unnikrishnan -

Mr. Kheror responded to queries about television that the audience members had posed, while at the same time offered tips on the best way to make a foray into the television industry.
The day ended on a high, with the promise of more to come on Day Two of Spectrum '08!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Programme Schedule for Spectrum '08


Spectrum '08 will be held from May 20th - May 21st 2008 at Manipal University's Dubai Campus.

The two-day media extravaganza is an initiative by the Department of Media and Communications to provide a platform for their students to interact with industry professionals as well as showcase their work to the world.


DAY I:

The inauguration for the event will take place at 9:30 am.

This will be followed by a panel discussion to kickstart the day's activities. The topic for the panel discussion will be "Consumerism: A Trend in Contemporary Media".

The panelists for this discussion include:
  • Mr. Ron Kapadia, COO,CITY7

  • Mr. Syed Ahmad Hussaini,MD, Impact BBDO

  • Mr. Raju Nagrajan, Managing Editor, The World Magazine

  • Mr. Navin Kapoor, Management Consultant
Analysts at the discussion will include:
  • Mr. Jacob John, Managing Director, SMTC Media Services

  • Dr. Md. Firoz, Chair, Department of Media and Communications, Manipal University, Dubai Campus

The second half of the day will be taken up by Seminars on:
  • Television Production: Planning and Programming by Mr. Rajeev Kheror, Head of Programming, ZEE TV, Middle East

  • Web and Multimedia Solutions by Mr. Prakash H, Director, Grass Media

DAY II:


There will be a series of Workshops held during the first half of the day:

  • Personality Development by Mr. Santosh Unnithan

  • Branding is not just a name by Mr. Sanjay Nair

  • Multimedia, Animation and Special Effects by MAAC

  • Radio Presentation by Mr. Sachin K., ARN/101.6


The second half of the day has been reserved for Career Counselling sessions by:

  • Mr. Assis Cardos, Director, Creative Services

  • Mr. Piyush Ghanatra, MBR, Dubai

  • Mr. Puneet Agarwal, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics

  • Ms. Fokiya Akhtar, Faculty, Television and Video Production

Spectrum '08: On the eve of D-day

It's finally time! MAC Spectrum '08 will take place from May 20th - May 21st 2008 at Manipal University's Dubai Campus.

The two-day event will see the entire Department of Media and Communications come together to put up a stunning display of their best work - a testament to their talent and creativity.

The event will also comprise of a panel discussion and a number of workshops for the benefit of the audience members.

From concept to organisation and planning to execution, the students from this department are leaving no stone unturned in making sure this mega-event is a grand success.


Students from the Department of Media and Communications busy themselves
with the final preparations for Spectrum
- Photograph by Mitalee Kurdekar


From stage decoration to lighting, every minute detail requires planning to perfection
- Photograph by Mitalee Kurdekar


Media students set up the stage for tomorrow's event
- Photograph by Fatima Husain


Here's wishing the Department all the very best in their huge endeavour!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Certified Workshops at Spectrum '08

- Design by Joshua George -

Spectrum '08, as you are probably aware, is a two-day (May 20th - May 21st, 2008) event organised by students from the Department of Media and Communications. With the purpose of bringing together creative minds from the industry and media students at Manipal University, Spectrum is bound to be something worth waiting for.

The organisers have now released the workshops details for Spectrum. There are to be a series of six workshops, all of which are certified and have a limited number of seats available for registration. These workshops are to be open to all and will be offered at a nominal fee.


- Design by Gavin Gracias -

The workshops lined up on 21st May, 2008 are as follows:

1. Personality Development:

Speaker: Mr. Santosh Unniphan, Professional Corporate Management Trainer
Fee: Aed 50
Seats Available: 35


2. Multimedia and Animation:
Speaker: Mr. Puneet Agarwal and team, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics
Fee: Aed 75
Seats Available: 40


3. Radio Presentation:

Speaker: Mr. Sachin K, 101.6/ ARN
Fee: Aed 50
Seats Available: 30


4. DJ'ing:
Speaker: DJ Adam
Fee: Aed 75
Seats Available: 50

5. Branding:

Speaker: Mr. Sanjay Nair, Director of Brand Services, Full Circle Advertising
Fee: Aed 50
Seats Available: 30


6. Motivational Speaking and Self Improvement/ Presentation Skills:
Speaker: Mr. Dave Krane, Channel 4 FM
Fee: Aed 50
Seats Available: 40

All workshops will be held between 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.
Lunch will be provided to participants.
Registration is compulsory.

Registration Details:

Time: 12:25 - 2:30
Venue: Sound Lab, Second Floor
Dates:14th May, 2008 - 18th May, 2008

For more information, contact:
Manisha: 050 8326411
Terry: 050 5064694


Look Out: A wide 'Spectrum' of talent is headed your way!

- Design by Gavin Gracias -

With MAC Spectrum '08, the Department of Media and Communications is all set to display to the world a vast array of talent. From concept to organisation and planning to execution, the students from this department are leaving no stone unturned in making sure this mega-event is a grand success.
Here's wishing them all the very best in their huge endeavour!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Spectrum '08: Workshops and Speakers

Manipal University's Dubai Campus will play host to another mega-event this month. Spectrum '08 is an event organised by students of the Department of Media and Communications to showcase their work to the world, the media industry in particular. They will also engage in workshops and seminars conducted by eminent professionals/trainers from the media industry and seek an understanding of the media industry through this interaction.

This is a two-day event (May 20th - May 21st, 2008) which will see a number of activities being held at Manipal University's Dubai Campus. Over a hundred media professionals are expected to attend, ensuring maximum exposure to the passing out batch of media students.

As part of the schedule, there will be a series of workshops and panel discussions during the two-day media extravaganza.

Speakers: A panel discussion will be conducted, wherein media professionals will speak on a given topic regarding media issues, trends etc. This will be followed by a discussion among themselves and an interaction with the audience members. Some of the speakers expected at the event are Mr. Sam Husseini, MD, Impact BBDO - Abu Dhabi, and Mr. Ron Kapadia, COO, City 7.

Workshops: Workshops shall be conducted on various topics and shall be open to all. All workshops will have only a limited number of attendees, with each participant having to register for the workshop beforehand. All participants will receive a certificate at the end of the workshop. A nominal fee will be charged for these sessions. Topics to be covered during these workshops include:


  • Radio Presentation

  • Multimedia and Animation

  • Personality Development

  • Presentation Skills

  • Disc Jockeying

  • Content Management Systems

  • Branding