FTII to have choice-based credit system, 22 courses

Actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan, whose appointment as FTII chairman by the NDA Government had led to students' protest and a long strike, presided over the meeting here.

In its 129th meeting, the Council approved the FTII Academic Council's proposal to convert the institute into "a holistic institute of cinema, television and allied arts, offering varied choice of subjects related to cinema and digital media," an official release said.

The Pune-based institute will introduce "Choice-Based Credit System" to replace the present system of annual assessment.

The Governing Council also approved a "vision document", which proposes to switch from teacher-centric approach to learning-centric approach, giving students flexibility to steer their career.

The Academic Council of FTII, headed by the filmmaker and television producer B P Singh, had drawn up an action plan for broad-basing the course content.

The plan envisages setting up of nine schools under the aegis of FTII. The institute will offer 22 courses, including short-term courses in music composing, animation and gaming, prosthetics and make-up, costume design, etc., besides the core subjects like direction, cinematography, acting, editing and sound design.

The structure of new syllabus aims at finishing the courses in time-bound manner. It has been drawn up through a collaborative process, taking inputs from academics, experts and alumni of FTII, the release said.

The new syllabus under semester system would be introduced from August 2016 batch, while the existing students will continue with the old syllabus.

The GC also approved appointment of a proctor, and new rules regarding hostel accommodation.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Ajay Mittal attended the meeting as a special invitee.

Besides, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, actor Satish Shah, former director of IIM, Bangalore, Pankaj Chandra; former Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University Dr Rajan Welukar; DG, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, KG Suresh; DG, Films Divison, Mukesh Sharma; Director, Ramoji Film and Television Institute, Pavan Manvi and film critic Bhavana Somayya were among those who attended the meeting.