Digital communication and media technologies are reshaping the media and entertainment industry with new opportunities emerging in the field of animation, gaming, visual effects, AR VR, and content production for television, films and OTT. The School of Media Management, Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Kiwale, Pune organised a National Conference on Changing Landscape of Media & Entertainment – 2022 on 26 June at Symbiosis Skills & Professional University Campus, Kiwale in association with the Media and Entertainment Skill Sector (MESC), Government of India. The Hon’ble Union Minister for Information, Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, Anurag Thakur was the Chief Guest of the National Conference.
Thakur inaugurated the conference and he appreciated the unique skill development model and congratulated the University for successfully implementing the Prime Minister’s Skills Mission of creating industry-ready youth. He said that this conference will provide a platform for industry and academia to come together and deliberate on the opportunities and avenues in the sector of digital media that will inspire students to be a part of this emerging sector. Thakur said, “The media and entertainment ecosystem is a sunrise sector, which is expected to generate rupees four lakh crore annually by 2025 and reach $100 billion or Rs 7.5 lakh crore industry by 2030. The government has designated audio-visual services as one of the 12 Champion Service Sectors and announced key policy measures aimed at nurturing sustained growth.”
Talking about the jobs in the AVGC sector, Thakur added, “Many job roles have emerged in the field – video editing, colour grading, visual effects (VFX), sound design, rotoscoping, and 3-D modelling. Each job role in this sector requires a specific set of skills and competencies. It is imperative for the industry and academia to come together and design programmes relevant to the needs of this sector.”
According to the minister, the government is also looking at new collaborations with the private sector to make sure Indian students are up to date with the latest technological developments.
SSPU chancellor Dr S. B. Mujumdar said, “Students should take this opportunity to explore new careers in Digital Media and Entertainment. He said that we are indeed honoured to have such stalwarts from the industry sharing their experiences today. Such conferences and collaboration with Industry will go a long way in promoting and popularising this sector amongst students and creating leaders for tomorrow.”
Oscar and BAFTA-winning sound mixer/designer Resul Pookutty was invited as the Guest of Honour. He appreciated the initiative and encouraged students to make the most of the skill-based learning model of the university.
SSPU pro-chancellor Dr Swati Mujumdar said, “We at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University constantly endeavour to explore new career opportunities for our youth. Digital Media and Entertainment is one such sector that will create thousands of jobs in the years to come. SSPU has partnered with the Media Sector Skill Council to explore these new emerging job roles and launch industry-relevant programs. This conference is just the beginning of a long association with the media and entertainment industry.”
Symbiosis Skills & Professional University also exchanged an MoU with MESC in the presence of Minister Thakur during the inaugural function of the conference. SSPU & MESC pledged their commitment to creating a skilled human resource for this sector through various skill development initiatives.
There were over 20 renowned stalwarts from the digital media and entertainment sector who deliberated on the growth and employment opportunities in digital media covering a wide range of topics including animation, VFX, opportunities in gaming and comics, OTT, TV and film production, AR/VR – immersive media, and new-age skills.
Eeksaurus Production founder and director animator E Suresh conducted a workshop on styles of animation, whereas Phantom FX director – HR and operations conducted a workshop on styles of VFX. CINTAA general secretary Amit Behl shared various opportunities in the field of media and entertainment. Other Keynote speakers included Nazara Technologies Ltd. CEO Manish Agarwal, Redchillies VFX COO Keitan Yadav and Punnaryug Artvision Pvt. Ltd. founder Ashish Kulkarni. The conference was a grand success with over 800 participants attending the conference in which deliberations with industry stalwarts enabled students to understand the various emerging careers that the digital media sector offers today and motivated them to pursue careers in this field.
Symbiosis Skills & Professional University’s School of Media Management offers a three-year full-time BBA Program in Digital Media and Marketing. BBA in Digital Media & Marketing provides an end-to-end understanding of the current digital marketing framework, in-demand tools and best practices.