The Film & Television Institute of India to be made a centre for excellence: Ambika Soni

The prestigious Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) here would soon become a centre for excellence, enabling it to enjoy the academic status and privileges of a university, union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ambika Soni told.

Soni told a bill to this effect would be introduced in parliament.

"This would help FTII foster creative ideas and facilitate students to pursue higher studies and research, both in India and abroad," Soni told, addressing a meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee of the ministry.

The measure making FTII a centre for excellence would also enable it to draw a road map and address growing needs of media and entertainment industries in the country, she included.

A group of professionals has already prepared a detailed project report for the proposed up gradation of the FTII.

Besides enhancing the existing infrastructure of the institute, the project report recommends revival of the courses being offered at the FTII.

The project report will be placed for the consideration of the FTII governing council at its next meeting here July 6.

The minister said the proposal was in sync with the 'outreach strategy' being adopted by the ministry with respect to opening of four regional centres of the Indian Institute of Mass Communications - at Jammu, Aizawl, Amravati and a city in Kerala.

Soni told a similar strategy was being adopted by the Directorate of Film Festivals, by taking the national award winning films to different parts of the country, through its Mini Film Festivals.