Public Relations

Public Relations

Public Relations is a management function by which the organisation makes a deliberate, planned and sustained effort to address its public and generate and maintain a spirit of mutual understanding with them. In the highly complex modern world, the need for efficient communications systems cannot be under estimated. It becomes imperative for an organisa-tion to explicate in precise and scrupulous manner its chief concerns and objectives. Public Relations is an exercise in corporate image engineering. The Public Relations practitioner endeavours to make the company more acceptable to its different publics. By maintaining a clear communications network between the management and employees, the P.R. expert ensures internal cohesion in the company.

By disseminating the right image of the company to the external public, he ensures the respectability and public acceptance of the company. The role of the P.R. Specialist becomes pertinent in crisis situations when the correct and timely transmission of vital information can help save the face of the organisation.

Job Market:

Employment opportunities exist in all large and small organisations, government departments, corporate houses, public sector undertakings, hospitals, hotels, tourist agencies, banks, financial institutions, schools, colleges, universities, etc. Sometimes, even individuals who have a public image can benefit from the expertise of a P.R. specialist. Training Programmes: In order to become a trained P.R. professional, the aspirant can choose from a variety of progra-mmes. An M.B.A from a reputed institution is one option. A degree in Public Relations or Mass Communications can also lead to a Public Relations job. Diploma and P.G. diploma courses in Public Relations of 1 to 2 years duration are also available. Public Relations is also taught as part of courses in Journalism and Advertising. Eligibility for the degree courses is a pass in 10+2 and for the Masters and diploma programmes is a graduate degree in any discipline.
Public relations: List of Training Centres

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. Punjab University, Chandigarh-160 014
16. Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati-02
17. Symbiosis Institute 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, Kolkata-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

International Focus
1. Institute of Public Relations, The Old Trading House, 15,
Northburgh Street, London-ECIV 0PR
2. Public Relations Society of America, 33, Irving Place, 3rd
Floor, New York, NY 10003