Karim City College’s mass communication department, in its efforts to make the most of the lockdown period, has gone beyond academics to organise an online alumni connect programme for sharing knowledge and expertise.

Under an initiative titled “Reconnect”, the mass communication-video production department of the college has had more than half-a-dozen of its alumni interacting with students over Google Meet. The initiative, which started from May 8, continued till May 15.

“We tried to use technology to its fullest,” said Neha Tiwari, head of the mass communication department. “At a time everyone is busy uploading academic content, we thought to use this time and the online platform to connect with our former students who have made a mark and could share their valuable experiences with their juniors.”

The list of alumni included senior communications manager of Campus Group (North America) Sangeeta Mahapatra Mohanty, public relations manager of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Nikhil Anand Giri, filmmaker Gautam Singh, public relations officer of NHPC power station (Bengal) Amit Sharan, Business Standard journalist Kaushal Kumar and a few filmmakers working in Mumbai.

Students were informed beforehand by the department through WhatsApp about the time and the person who would be available to interact with them on a particular day.

“Usually we don’t get to meet our seniors and interact with them. The lockdown and technology could make it possible. We would like to connect with more of our seniors,” Nafees Mustafa, a third semester student of the department.