The Department of Applied Communication and Media Studies of the Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies (NIIBS) is recognized as the pioneering academic department in the Sri Lankan university system to offer the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Applied Communication and Media Technology. The degree programme is uniquely designed with a strong emphasis on practice-based learning, with approximately 75% of the curriculum dedicated to applied media technologies, including television production, radio broadcasting, cinema, digital media, and new media technologies. In keeping with the requirements of the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF), students are required to complete compulsory practical field training as an integral component of the programme.
As part of this practical training, students of the Department participated in an intensive outdoor media production programme conducted in Nuwara Eliya, World’s End, and the surrounding tea plantation and tea manufacturing regions. The field programme enabled students to acquire first-hand experience in professional media production within authentic natural and industrial environments. The training covered the complete media production workflow, including development and conceptualization of production ideas, scriptwriting, budgeting, scheduling, team organization, location scouting, storyboarding, planning production equipment and resources, obtaining necessary permits and managing logistics, setting up production locations, filming, directing presenters, interviewees and production crews, and capturing high-quality audio and video. Through these activities, students developed practical competencies in planning, organizing, producing, and managing media productions in accordance with contemporary industry standards.
The field training programme was supervised by Mr. Senaka Senaviratne, Head of the Department of Applied Communication and Media Studies, together with Mr. Samira Attanayake, Lecturer, and supported by the Department’s visiting academic staff. The programme was conducted under the guidance and encouragement of Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thera, Vice Chancellor of NIIBS, and Professor Prasantha Mandawala, Dean of the Faculty. This practical field experience reflects the Department’s commitment to producing highly skilled graduates equipped with the professional knowledge, technical expertise, and practical competencies required by the rapidly evolving communication and media industry.
