Public Relation

Public Relation

Public Relation is a profession that involves promotion intended to create goodwill for a person or an institution. It is basically the job of maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with internal and external public with whom an organization is related. Public relations include the monitoring and evaluation of attitudes of both internal and external public. Internal public include the employees and opinion leaders of an organization whereas external public include shareholders, suppliers, consumers, Government and the media. Today there are various Public Relation courses offered by a number of institutes in India.

The public relation officers (PROs) ensure a smooth running of the organization by maintaining a two way flow of communication among the employees and the employers. The need for employing PROs came into being when government and private companies felt the need for marketing their products or services.

In case of an internal crisis the role of the PRO becomes prominent as he saves the day for the organization through timely communications. Public relations also encompass the job of preparing house journals for maintaining contact with public.

• Qualifications: Usually diploma or post graduate diploma courses on public relations are conducted by various institutions. Candidates armed with a bachelor's degree, preferably with a background of social sciences or humanities can opt for these courses. Other than these there are also short term certificate courses. Very few institutes offer a two year master degree course in public relations. Most courses on advertisement also comprise an additional paper on public relations.
  
  
  

• Benefits: Public Relations officials are in high demand these days. People who have good communication skills, analytical mind, patience, good organizational skills, resilience and the courage to handle crisis can find their dream jobs as public relation officers.

Scopes in India: For students of public relations in India there are opportunities galore. They can be employed in public sector, private sector, hotels, hospitals, banks, tourist agencies, consultancy firms, and a host of other places. The various posts where a student of public relation can apply are:

• Public Affairs Coordinator
• Communications associate
• Communications Officer
• Communications Manager
• Media Relations officer
• Press Secretary
• Director of External Affairs
• Marketing communication Specialist
• Communications Professional
• Development Director
• Communications/Research Analyst

Public figures like a film actor or a politician in the present day also hire PROs to create their public image.

Scopes Abroad: Outside India PR personnel with a background in Medicine, Finance, Science & Technology, International Affairs and other such specialized fields are in high demand. In the USA, PR practitioners are hired mainly for business, schools, universities, media and government centers. Majority of PR professionals abroad are appointed by PR agencies providing their services to clients based around the globe.

List of Institutions In India

Certain institutes admit candidates on the basis of entrance tests conducted by them while others depend completely on merit lists. Few of the institutes conducting Public Relations courses in India are:

• Symbiosis institute of Mass communication, Pune
• Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism, Bhopal
• School of Broadcasting and Communication, Mumbai
• Xavier Institute of communication Mumbai
• Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
• Mudra Institute of communication, Ahmedabad

The Indian Foundation for PR education and Research, Greater Kailash, New Delhi

1. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002.

2. Banaras Hindu University, Varnasi-221 005.

3. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110 001.

4. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kulpati K.M. Munshi Marg, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007.

5. Centre for Image Management Studies, NOIDA.

6. Department of Communications and Journalism, University of Poona, Ranada Institute, Fergusson College Road, Pune-411 004.

7. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380 009.

8. Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU New Campus, New Delhi-110 067.

9. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110 025.

10. Karnataka University, Dharwad-580 003.

11. Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri-574 199.

12. Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad-58.

13. Nagpur University, Nagpur-440 001.

14. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Vile Parle, Mumbai.

15. Punjap University, Chandigarh-160 014

16. Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati -02

17. Symbiosis Insistute of Journalism and Communication, Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune-411 004

18. The Indian Foundation for PR Education & Research ( IFPR), S-237, Greater Kailash, New Delhi-48

19. University of Calcutta, Calcutta-700 073.

20. University of Calicut, Kozhikode-673 635.

21. University of Delhi, New Delhi-110 007. 

22. University of Mumbai, Mumbai-400 032.

23. University of Mysore, Mysore-570 005.

24. Xavier Institute of Communication, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai-400 001.

25. YMCA Institute of Mass Media Studies, New Delhi.

26. Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication - Dwarka, New Delhi – 110 075 Email : aimc.del@apj.edu Website : www.apeejay.edu 

International Reference :

1. Institute of Public Relations, The Old Trading House, 15, Northburgh Street, London-ECIV OPR.

2. Public Relations Society of America, 33, Irving Place, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10003.