SCMC Pune

Dr. Sreeram Gopalkrishnan, Director at Symbiosis Centre of Media and Communication is known for his expertise in the management field. His primary qualifications include – a Ph.D. (Image Management Analysis Measurement Index), Master’s in Mass Communication, and PGDM in Marketing, to name a few. He has over five years of experience in the education industry.

Known for his management and marketing skills, he has published ten research papers on the same and is a proud recipient of three awards and two honors. Dr. Gopalkrishnan is also an active member of the PRSI (Public Relations Society of India). In an exclusive interview taken by Samarth Shrivastava, the designatory shares his views on the education sector and talks about his style of managing the work.

Empathy–A feeling that both corporate and academia world needs

There is a marked difference in leadership needs in the Corporate Sector and Academia. The challenges are different and the desired outcomes even more so. However, there is also a common thread that connects, which is empathy, without which it would challenge to be an effective leader. 

 In academia, buy-in from an intellectual capital stand-point is essential since there are colleagues from various backgrounds, academic qualifications, and experiences. Together they all have to deliver seamlessly in a ‘dynamic learning’ environment, which is so natural at Symbiosis. 

Personally, for me, the transition was a lot easier, since I have had great role models. Like Dr. Majumdar sir, who sees that is genuinely global, and he is a legendary teacher too, Dr. Vidya Yeravadkar who has taken us to the international level and is a global scholar of repute and Dr. Rajini Gupte who combines academic leadership and astute administration skills. So it is easy in Symbiosis since we all have such illustrious legends to look up to and learn. 

A drastic drift in the Media Industry

While I started my career in sales, I worked on the creative side of Advertising and Television. The field has changed so much that it is unrecognisable. It is not just about connecting from a communication perspective, but also with nuances that are backed by sound research and targeted data. It is not only like you come up with a high line which is memorable and evocative; instead, the narrative has to also fit into the value proposition and the larger dynamics of the brand. You cannot escape from the realities of the business. 

For instance, today, there is so much news about the growth of the OTP platforms. But at some point, the players will have to account for viability and the bottom line. In the long run, Economics trumps Exuberance! Our students' research on stuff like curated content on Youtube vs. non-curated content like Youtube. Does curated content stand a chance? Let’s see.

Similarly, a film school earlier was about fiction and drama, and yes, there were genres. But today even a segment as non-glamorous as non-fiction has several genres and the grey area between a documentary drama and a documentary-style fiction film is blurring even further then we thought.

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Reason for switching to academic from corporate world

My shift to academia after 28 years in the Corporate sector was driven primarily by my interest in research and teaching. Much of teaching is actually about research since students are probably better informed than many of us. While there is a high level of IQ among students, there is a need to build their EQ, which is perhaps due to more social media echo chambers and less real social relationships.

The opportunities in the academic sector is fantastic in that it gives you the best combination for a work-life balance through which you can make a difference. 

Curriculum of SCMC meeting the industry standards

Our priority would continue as in the past in running the best undergraduate media program in the country which combines academic rigor, professional training, internship exposure, and multidisciplinary course content. However, we have to be alive to the changes being wrought on the industry by technology, consumption patterns, shifts in social discourse, and the aspirations of future students. 

The present program at our college is benchmarked to global standards, and the core pedagogical design is inspired by the ACEJM, which is the United States Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. We propose to introduce new programs that will reflect on the needs of the future, especially the new age media industrial ecosystem.

The media ecosystem has changed so rapidly that even the most futuristic minds may come a cropper. For instance, advertising agencies are recruiting STEM professionals to crack numbers though an ability to do the math is not necessarily the only competence required to understand people. Data says what it says. However, what does it say about the people behind the data? 

The communication business is turning technological, but it is still people who live, breathe, and sleep. What do they aspire for? What do they mean when they say something? Data may tell us what they say, but it may not tell us what they do. 

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Values, Morals and Ideals of Symbiosis

Symbiosis needs no introduction, and those who have studied, worked, or interacted with the organisation would know it to be a truly exceptional international institution. 

  • Our ethos is Vasudeiva Kutumbukum, which is born out of one person’s dream of a world which is one family. Dr. Majumdar’s concept is global in vision. 
  • Dr. Vidya has not only taken this to different parts of the world but also contributed to research on internationalization. Her books are a recommended read in many leading universities in the world. 
  • We are inspired by the ideals of ‘Vishwa Bharati’ of Gurudev Tagore and ‘Antar Bharati’ of Sane Guruji. 

The fundamental values at Symbiosis is that of caring and nurturing. The thread expands into a finely woven symbiotic system where thousands benefit. The name Symbiosis was coined with a special meaning – that of allowing various international cultures to culminate at a point and grow together. The idea was to promote a healthy and nurturing atmosphere for all students and the term ‘Symbiosis’ perfectly suited as it stands for co-habitat of biological systems.