MICA has officially launched its academic session for the 2026-2028 batch, welcoming 328 students across its PGP, CCC, and CCE programs. The institute is marking a shift from the Age of Information to the Age of Imagination, with a two-week immersive orientation designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
Batch Profile: Female Majority and Diverse Experience
The incoming batch is characterized by a strong female majority, averaging over 60%, and deep experience in corporate, media, and creative industries. The students have an average age of 22.7 years, with most falling in the 21-24 age bracket. Nearly two-thirds bring corporate exposure, and the cohort represents 23 states and union territories, reflecting a pan-India footprint.
Orientation Structure: Rigorous and Multi-Disciplinary
The orientation is structured as a rigorous, multi-disciplinary progression. It began with a keynote by B. V. Rao, Group Editor of India Today Digital. Rao emphasized the accelerated pace of change, stating, "The cycle of change has hastened from centuries to mere seconds, and it never rewards laggards. In a world chasing digital eyeballs, ignoring change is suicidal, but letting go of your core values is equally fatal." He added, "No one is brilliant all the time, but the person who works hard keeps improving every single day, building dependability and earning trust."
Students from diverse educational backgrounds complete rotating foundation blocks in Excel, quantitative analysis, case study methodologies, and the entrepreneurial mindset. Morning yoga and mindfulness sessions are integrated daily to support student wellness.
Core Curriculum: The 5Cs Framework
The second phase transitions into core curricular pillars structured around the 5Cs framework: Commerce, Communication, Creativity, Culture, and Community. Director and CEO Jaya Deoras Deshmukh welcomed the students, saying, "Look around our campus today, and you won't find people who just want to fit into standard corporate moulds; instead you'll find students who want to change the script. We are standing right at the edge of the Age of Imagination, a time where automated tech might handle the routine, but it's our human ability to tell a great story that actually matters."
These modules are paired with critical institutional compliance sessions, including mandatory protocol, POSH regulations, and anti-narcotics awareness briefings. The orientation concludes with industry readiness workshops led by executive corporate leaders, a five-part AI readiness sequence, and a final 5C Jury evaluation presentation.
Pedagogy: Bridging the Gap in the Age of Imagination
Dean Dr. Githa Heggde summarized the exercise: "The pedagogy at MICA is intentionally designed to bridge the gap in this Age of Imagination. We intend to push students beyond traditional textbooks into deep, applied creative thinking. We are welcoming a remarkably brilliant and dynamic group of students who are already visually articulate and digitally fluent. By immersing them in our multi-disciplinary ecosystem, we challenge them to question, experiment, and look at data through a human lens."
The 328-student intake across MICA's five programs highlights a modern, women-led cohort rooted in professional experience and creative diversity. The academic background is highly multidisciplinary, with students from fields such as engineering, commerce, arts, and media.
(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
