In the Breast Cancer Awareness month of October, a group of third-semester students of School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed to be University (KSMC) launched a virtual Public Communication Campaign titled ‘EmBreasAdore: Breast Cancer is a Chapter, not a Book’. The main objective of the campaign is to analyse the social impact of breast cancer and to spread awareness about it.
Dr. Lalatendu Acharya, Assistant Professor of Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Indiana University Kokomo, Indiana, USA, the guest speaker, highlighted the importance and relevance of the topic and advised on a few important points to be taken care of during a communication campaign. He emphasised the significance of target audience and time in developing communication strategies. Further, he advised to give more importance on the feedback and evaluation of the campaign. Dr. Acharya has worked as an Assistant Professor in Purdue University, USA for more than seven years. He has also worked as a Communication Officer for a couple of years with UNICEF. He did his PhD in Health communication from Purdue University, USA. He has more than 30 publications in international reputable journals and books.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Himansu Sekhar Khatua, CEO, SMC, SFMS & SFT appreciated the efforts of the students and congratulated them. He expressed concern about the disease and its adverse effects on our own family members. Ms. Ruby Nanda, Assistant Professor, KSMC spoke on the prevalence of this fatal disease and how it is considered a taboo. Ms. Sananda Mukherjee, Faculty Associate, KSMC spoke about the communication strategy and the limitations of the health communication domain.
Earlier, a brief introduction of the campaign was provided by Ms. Puspendrika Som, a 3rd semester student of Integrated Master of Communication and Journalism (IMCJ) programme.
Among others, Dr. Bidu Bhusan Dash, Course Coordinator; Dr. Anurag Sahu, Course Instructor of Public Communication Campaign; and Ms. Sushree Sivangi Dhal, a student member of the campaign project also spoke on the occasion. Ms. Shaktipriya Tripathy was the student moderator for the event. Ms. Saloni Jena, a student of this campaign group, proposed the vote of thanks. Students and faculties of KSMC and from various other colleges and universities were present.