FAQ

Here are some questions you have always wanted to ask us regarding

1. The Two year Full time MA degree course in Audiovisual Communication/Marketing and Management Communication
2. The Commercial Pilot Training and Airline Transport Pilot Training courses.
3. The Banking and Microfinance course.
4. The Development and Community Communication course.
5. The Retail Marketing and Administration course.

T wo year Full time MA course in Audiovisual Communication and Marketing and Management Communication

1. Why is the media course so expensive (Rs 1,05,000 per year or Rs 2.10 lakhs for two years)?

Commits imparts the skills and the specialised knowledge required to work in complex situations in the media industry. Towards this purpose Commits employs state-of-the-art equipment to train the students and exposes them to the experience of a wide range of industry professionals.

2. Is the course recognised in India and abroad?

Yes, the course is recognised in India and in all countries around the world. Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Evam Sanchar Vishwavidhyalaya is a UGC-recognised university set up by the government. The Degree programme is just like the degree you get from say Calcutta University or Bangalore University .

3. What kind of internships and placements will I get? What will be the starting salary levels?

You will get opportunities to do your internship with all leading media organisations. In the first semester you have to work with a development organisation (NGO), in the second semester you can work with either a newspaper or with a company in the department of marketing. In the third semester you will do an internship in your area of specialisation, AVC or MMC. Depending on the organisation and specialisation your starting salary could range between Rs.12,000 and Rs.18,000. There have also been cases where the starting salaries have been in the Rs.22,000-Rs.25,000 range.

4. Since I only specialize in AVC or MMC in the second year of the course, why should I go through everything in the first year? Will a one year specialised programme make more sense to me?

AVC - Audiovisual Communication and MMC - Marketing and Management Communication focus on two different aspects of the same function, namely communication. The advantage of the Commits programme is that you get basic training in all three fields, which will enable you to seamlessly move from one area to another without having to renew your skills or reorient your knowledge. This is useful in today's world of convergence where multi-tasking is the order of the day.

5. In what way is this course different from courses offered by other media institutes?

Most other media colleges offer Postgraduate Diplomas in media. Only a few colleges offer a postgraduate degree. There are obvious advantages of having a degree. You can continue with higher education in India and abroad. Moreover being affiliated to a university always lends accountability to the college, and makes the entire course credible. Teaching is more methodical and the entire syllabus is covered in class. Tests are conducted, attendance is compulsorily marked and classes do not become a casualty.

6. What is the uniqueness of the Commits programme?

Academia industry interface is the hallmark of all Commits programmes. All teachers are professionals who have many years of experience behind them. Our course directors are part time faculty who are top notch industry professionals (see list on Faculty page), who teach an entire course (like Advertising or Development Journalism) and not just come for one or two guest lectures.

7. I am told Commits does not have a campus but operates out of a three storyed building in the heart of Bangalore city. Will this affect my career?

Absolutely not. Frankly the question is irrelevant. What you do and how well you do it counts more than where you do it, in today's job market. Ask our alumni who are with CNN-IBN, Times Now, Emirates Today, Virgin Radio, NDTV, Saatchi & Saatchi, O&M, JWT, Rediffusion DYR and Times of India. Commits has won several prestigious awards, and is the only participant from India in several international media projects. It has some of the best placement offers from media houses. We have won the prestigious Ibda'a Awards instituted by Dubai Media City two years in a row, in Journalism and Radio Features. Some of the best names in the industry like Shekhar Gupta, Ravindrakumar, Ashutosh Gowariker, Ameen Sayani, Nagesh Kukunoor, have been speakers at Commits seminars in the past years.

8. Are student loans available?

All banks extend student education loans to our students. We issue the documents as per the requirements of each bank. We strongly advise students to take bank loans to fund their education themselves because it imparts a certain discipline and responsibility in them.

9. Finally. can you tell me. just why should I consider studying at Commits?

Simply because we are among the best. In fact the media industry recognizes Commits among the top three postgraduate media colleges in India ...

Retail Marketing and Administration

1. Why has Commits started the Retail Marketing and Administration programme?

The aim of the programme is to provide high level of knowledge and understanding of the concepts and processes involved in retailing and to equip students with the necessary practical, research and analytical skills necessary for a professional career in the retail trade or any allied marketing sector.

2. Why is this a one year PG Diploma and not a two year degree programme?

The one-year full time Post Graduate Retail Marketing and Administration programme has been designed with the intention of inspiring and preparing young graduates to be leaders in the field of modern retail. This course will combine the best of academic excellence and the necessary practical training and corporate exposure that large retailers will provide. It will help to develop knowledge of contemporary retail management issues at the strategic level; to describe and analyse the way retailing works, specifically the key activities and relationships; and to provide an academic underpinning to the above through the application of retailing theory and research. Since the retail landscape is fast developing, and the industry prefers to recruit students as fast as they graduate, a one year programme is more suitable at present. We will launch a two year MBA programme in retail management at a later date.

3. What will I get out of the course?

This course will provide students with a solid understanding of the retail landscape. Besides, areas of focus will include Shopper Behavior and Retail Marketing Strategy/Tactics, both on a general and channel/customer-specific level. Across all of this we will explore how retail marketing elements integrate into overall brand strategy, from positioning and product development through all aspects of the marketing mix. Students can expect to complete the course with great insight into the importance of Retail Channel Marketing and how to do it effectively. They can also expect a fun and stimulating learning experience.

4. What are the criteria for eligibility?

Applicants for this programme should be able to demonstrate a well-defined interest in marketing, and in specific, retailing. A good degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in communication, business and management related subjects represents the most suitable background for the course. Candidates with a good degree in other disciplinary areas, or mature non-graduate applicants with an appropriate level of relevant managerial experience, may also be considered for entry to the programme. Admission will be on the basis of a written test, group discussion and interview.

5. What about faculty, assessments and course delivery?

The faculty for this programme will be marketing, advertising, retail and sales professionals, from the industry. The modules of the programme are delivered using a variety of teaching methods including lectures and tutorials, case studies, role-playing, fieldwork exercises, site visits, guest speakers and company projects. Much of the programme is examined by continuous assessment, which takes the form of reports, essays, case analyses and presentations, in various combinations. Assessed work is often conducted in groups, as developing team working and communication skills is seen as an important part of the programme. There will be a three-hour examination for each module at the end of each term. The dissertation has to be submitted after the internship followed by a viva voce that will be conducted after the final exams.

6. What are the career opportunities?

Graduates of the Retail Marketing and Communication programme will gain employment in large and small retail organisations, both in India and overseas, and in other marketing or retail-related sectors. Many graduates can be put into work in fast-developing retail markets such as Singapore , Malaysia , Greece , China , Taiwan and Dubai .

7. What is the course fees?

The course fees will be Rs.95,000, which does not include cost of laptop, food and accommodation.

Banking and Microfinance

1. Why has Commits started the Banking and Microfinance programme?

To shape professionals to fulfill the requirements of conventional banking and inclusive financial services to the poor This programme is based on a paradigm shift. The flow of money shall no longer should just be based on profit but financial services should be inclusive based on needs, poverty and the future of nation building .The inclusive financial services to the poor has been evolving as a system and body of knowledge and this course contributes towards that objective by creating professionals in this field to find a satisfying career in conventional banking and financial services to the poor.

2. Why is this a one year PG Diploma and not a two year degree programme?

The one-year full time Post Graduate Retail Marketing and Administration programme has been designed with the intention of inspiring and preparing young graduates to be leaders in the field of mainstream banking, inclusive financial services and specifically, microfinance. This course will combine the best of academic excellence and the necessary practical training and field exposure. Since the inclusive banking landscape is fast developing, and the industry prefers to recruit students as fast as they graduate, a one year programme is more suitable at present. We will launch a two year MBA programme in banking and microfinance management at a later date.

3. What will I get out of the course?

This programme facilitates the knowledge and working of conventional banking along with inclusive financial services to the poor tracing it's roots, different approaches, delivery channels, financial methods and tools, values and impact on sustainable improvement in poverty through inclusive financial services .The participant in the programme will enhance their knowledge in understanding of the conventional banking and inclusive financial services. This diploma will train and equip in conventional banking and financing with social, ethical and moral responsibility. This diploma will enable and enhance with critical and common skills needed for conventional banking along with skills and knowledge needed for inclusive financial services to the poor which has attained commercial success.

4. What are the criteria for eligibility?

Applicants for this programme should be able to demonstrate a well-defined interest in finance and banking, and in specific, development finance. A good degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in development, business and management related subjects represents the most suitable background for the course. Candidates with a good degree in other disciplinary areas, or mature non-graduate applicants with an appropriate level of relevant managerial experience, may also be considered for entry to the programme. Admission will be on the basis of a written test, group discussion and interview.

5. What about faculty, assessments and course delivery?

The faculty for this programme will be from banking, insurance, pension and professionals and organizations involved in financial services to the poor. The modules of the programme are delivered using a variety of teaching and learner center methods. In addition to lectures and tutorials, the course makes use of case studies, role playing, field work exercises, site visits, guest speakers and company/organizational projects.

6. What are the career opportunities?

Conventional commercial banking /insurance /pension sector, Rural financial institutions, Statutory and regulatory authorities relating to finance / insurance / pension sector, Knowledge processing organizations (KPO) and research processing organizations (RPO), Inclusive financial services to the poor in civil society organizations and Formal financial institution like NBFC etc.

7. What is the course fees?

The course fees will be Rs.60,000, which does not include cost of laptop, food and accommodation.

Development and Community Communication

1. Why has Commits started the Development and Community Communication programme?

The need for a specialisation in development and community communication was felt, and communicated to Commits, by organisations engaged in social and community projects. The students of Commits have a paper titled Development Communication in the first semester of their MA degree programme. They have to do a compulsory one-month internship with a development or social organisation to understand their grassroots work and communication strategies. The response from both, students and organisations, has been terrific since this is not something that any media institute offers. The programme will help students to understand the nature, purpose, scope, evolution and changes in social communication and social welfare services in today's context of community development. It helps students in planning and implementing development/welfare projects. The students will be able to engage in policy studies and policy formulation using social science knowledge gained in the programme. The programme prepares them for mobilising resources, participation in or management of ongoing social development/welfare organisation/projects, to undertake research, short-term consultation in training/report preparation and public relations.

2. Why is this a one year PG Diploma and not a two year degree programme?

The one-year full time Post Graduate Development and Community Communication programme has been designed with the intention of inspiring and preparing young graduates to be leaders in the field of development communication, and specifically, community communication. This course will combine the best of academic excellence and the necessary practical training and field exposure. Since the development and welfare landscape is fast developing, the industry prefers to recruit students as fast as they graduate, therefore a one year programme is more suitable at present. To Commits it is a logical extension of its development communication programme in the first semester of the two year media course.

3. What is the uniqueness of this course?

The Development and Community Communication specialisation to be offered by Commits will be the first course of its kind in India . Indian universities generally offer Master's degrees in Social Work (MSW), Social Sciences (MSS) and Social Research (MSR). Other institutions such as TISS that offer such courses are rare. This means fewer seats and narrow academic scope because these courses limit themselves to 'social work' and not the vital 'communication in the context of social work' aspect. The Development and Community Communication is being designed as a course that combines development journalism and community work. The new specialisation will focus exclusively on development work and community communication. As with the other specialisations, this programme too will be run with industry inputs and involve subjects such as Development Journalism, Rural Management, Micro-enterprise Development, Public Policy and Legislation and Community Theatre.

4. What will I get out of the course?

The course has to be designed to help the students to understand the concepts of development administration, international development, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), economic globalization and civil society. Discussions of this multi-disciplinary course will be focused on contemporary issues and aspects of international and development administration. The method of teaching will comprise of lectures/presentations/field work, followed by short discussion, case studies dealing with the major themes of the lecture, and simulation exercise or group work.

5. What are the criteria for eligibility?

Applicants for this programme should be able to demonstrate a well-defined interest in social work and development, and in specific, social communication. A good degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in development, social sciences related subjects represents the most suitable background for the course. Candidates with a good degree in other disciplinary areas, or mature non-graduate applicants with an appropriate level of relevant managerial experience, may also be considered for entry to the programme. Admission will be on the basis of a written test, group discussion and interview.

6. What about faculty, assessments and course delivery?

The faculty for this programme will be from NGOs, development sector, and professionals and organizations involved in social work and community communication services to the poor. The modules of the programme are delivered using a variety of teaching and learner center methods. In addition to lectures and tutorials, the course makes use of case studies, role playing, field work exercises, site visits, guest speakers and company/organizational projects.

7. What are the career opportunities?

Job opportunities exist in government and non-government social development/welfare organisations working with unorganised, displaced and other marginalised sections; networking, issue-based, intermediary, and local/national/international funding organisations; charitable trusts and social responsibility divisions of corporate houses. Students can also join as instructors and lecturers in training centres for community development personnel, funding agencies, and as development consultants. Opportunities ranges from service delivery for community development, designing awareness programmes about social causes, organising communities for change and organising training programmes for capacity building for local groups, government officials or other specialised groups. Many graduates with this specialisation are also involved in providing policy inputs at various levels of decision-making within government agencies, advocacy work for the disadvantaged sections and documentation of development activities. The specialisation qualifies students for development work in areas as diverse as NGO management, gender justice, human rights, education, health, public policy, international fund raising and disaster management.

8. What is the course fees?

The course fees will be Rs.30,000, which does not include cost of laptop, food and accommodation.

Commercial Pilot Training and Airline Transport Pilot Training

1. Why has Commits started the aviation training programme?

Commits's objective is to find an industry need and fulfill it. Over the last two years, we are experiencing a spurt of aviation activities. As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation "Air Traffic in India has registered a growth of 25% in the last year or so and is expected to grow annually at approx the same rate till 2010". It is likely to attract an investment of $50 billion in the next ten years. Current Airlines are expanding and many new ones are likely to take off, in the near future. The Aviation sector offers innumerable opportunities today, as it is experiencing a major boom. India needs over 4000 Commercial pilots in the next ten years or so (till 2010). Apart from this, the Airline industry will require over 20,000 cabin crew, 15000 technicians and support staff numbering thousands to sustain the Airline operations and the associated ground handling services. It is but natural for Commits to offer training in such thrust areas.

2. What are the steps in becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot?

Step 1: Interest and passion in flying

Step 2: Have Maths and Physics at the +2 level

Step 3: Enroll for ground subjects training

Step 4: Get Class-I medical clearance

Step 5: Write and clear DGCA exam

Step 6: Get flying experience

Step 7: Apply and get a pilot's job

3. What other aviation sector training does Commits offer?

At present Commits offers only pilot training. Soon Commits will branch out into all aspects of aviation training including ground handling, customer service, airhostess training etc.

4. Who are the people associated with Commits Centre for Aviation Studies?

(a) Collin Timms , Chairman, Guardian Bank and Chairman, Commits Educational and Charitable Trust, Bangalore
(b) Air Marshal R Ramamurthy (Retd), Ex Air Officer C-in-C, Maintenance Command, IAF
(c) Air Marshal B K Pandey (Retd), Ex Air Officer C-in-C, Training Command, IAF
(d) Wg Cdr AE Patrawalla (Retd), Chairman-Aeronautical Society of India , General Manager, HAL
(e) Air Vice Marshal Nirmal Thusu, Dean of Aviation Studies

5. There are so many fly by night operators, how do we trust CCAS?

Commits Centre for Aviation Studies is a venture of Commits, a Bangalore-based media institute of high repute and competence. Our core faculty boasts of over 35 years of experience in the field of quality aviation education. Our tie up with Sydney Flying Training Center (SFTC) Australia will ensure modern flying and ground training facilities, as well as the availability of all Aviation books/ Journals you will need to fulfill your dreams. At Commits Centre for Aviation Studies, along with our associates, you can be rest assured that you will receive high quality professional guidance and training at a one stop facility, which will enable you to achieve your dreams of becoming a Commercial Pilot in the best environment for a professional aviator. We follow a transparent admission process, and do not believe in taking students who are not up to the mark.

6. What are the criteria to join this training programme?

Students should fulfill the following requirements for admission to the institute, and be minimum 17 years of age, should have passed Class-12 with Physics & Maths, and be fit for Class II/Class I medical, in possession of or applied for DGCA computer no, Police verification certificate, Cockpit checks etc. (We will guide you to complete these formalities.). Admissions are strictly on "first come first serve basis".

7. What are the fees for this training programme?

Total Package for Rs 65,000/- plus S.T. including Books/ materials etc.
Registration Fee: Rs 2000/- and a refundable caution deposit of Rs 5000/-
The ground-training course for Commercial Pilot License is divided into 400 lectures in 12 weeks, distributed as follows.