PUNE, Dec 10: Like his predecessors, the Director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Dr Mohan Agashe, too cannot wish away the manifold problems that still dog the premier institution. But after an eight-month studied analysis, definite steps are being taken to correct the faculty demoralisation on the campus, usher in a professional work culture and send its message loud and clear, that FTII is not a political playground.

The Governing Council which is the apex body of the FTII endorsed Agashe's conceptual policy-plan for giving the institute a much-needed facelift at its meeting held on December 7. Not only will the nodal committee of the experts reviewing the syllabus meet soon, but the FTII's Academic Council last meeting (before its term expires) on December 17 will also take stock of the financial implications of Agashe's "project report" and identify ways and means to make the institute self-reliant.

In his inimitable style, Agashe countered queries from media persons regarding the specifics of his proposal with a "I know how to keep my house in order. I am making an honest and straightforward attempt to bring back the "training climate" that an institute should have." Admitting that various issues of student unrest, faculty demoralisation and funding have remained unresolved, Agashe however making a clean breast of the extent of such problems, said that the next six months would be devoted to administrative and academic restructuring.

Aware of the implications that the setting up of another national institute at Calcutta has, apart from the boom in the audio-visual industry, FTII has conceptually planned to introduce courses in television training, form cohesive groups with the TV wing to revamp its programmes and initiate short summer courses for professionals in the field.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.