The AJK Mass Communication Research Centre was established in 1982 by Anwar Jamal Kidwai who was Vice Chancellor and later the Chairman of the Centre. Mr. Kidwai, after whom the Centre is named, visualized the Mass Communication Research Centre as a continuing endeavour to engage with the common people of India. He was aware of the increasing realization in the country that Mass Communication is an essential catalyst for social development and change and an essential part of popular culture.

The AJK MCRC was set up in collaboration with York University, Toronto (Canada) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Under the agreement the CIDA gifted the MCRC a wide range of sophisticated media equipment for its studios, editing set ups and outdoor production work while York University provided the first generation of teachers. The energetic team was led by the reputed documentary filmmaker, Professor James Beveridge who was a close associate of John Grierson, the pioneering documentary filmmaker.

The AJK MCRC was established at a time when the country was rapidly expanding its communication infrastructure especially that of the electronic media. In the nineties, the ‘liberalization’ of the airwaves led to a proliferation of satellite television channels increasing both communication infrastructure and demand for software. Despite the multiplicity of TV channels and programming options there still remains an enormous need for innovative non fiction/fiction programming and documentaries addressing the issues of social concern and education. The AJK MCRC was instituted to create a generation of film makers and media professionals who will be inspired to address this need.

In order to strengthen University based Media education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) set up programme production Centres in different Universities. The first such centre was set up at the MCRC. Therefore, in addition to being a teaching Institution, the MCRC became a leading production Centre of educational programmes.

The University Grants Commission undertook the responsibility for providing the Centre with a building and meeting its recurring annual expenses. In 1991-92, there was a large and generous gift of audio, video and film equipment under Japanese aid which enabled the Centre to update two television studios, a post-production studio, a radio studio and a large facility for audio-visual production based on still photography. In 2004 and 2005 the Centre has received major grants for upgradation of its facilities from the Ministry of HRD, the University Grants Commission and the Ford Foundation. The grant has enabled the Centre to shift to digital technology in all spheres of Television, Radio, Photography and Film.

The UNESCO has recently given AJK MCRC a grant for a Research and Training project. The Centre also intends to conduct research on Conflict and International Humanitarian Laws with the help of ICRC.

The university offers two merit based scholarships, Merit Scholarship and Central Scholarship to the students of MCRC. The students can also apply for the Star Media Scholarship for which an entrance examination is held every year.

In August 2006, AJK MCRC celebrates the 25^th anniversary of its inception.

AJKMCRC aspires to provide quality education that would enable the graduates to hold responsible positions in media related industries. At the AJKMCRC, the academic knowledge is not restricted to the classroom just as practical work is not delinked from theoretical learning. It is believed here that creativity cannot be taught but that it can be stimulated along with a commitment to rigorous professional performance.

While students are expected to express their creativity unfettered they are exposed to both non fiction and fiction programming and related fields so as to provide them a wide experience. The course prepares students for entry-level careers as competent media professionals who are able to deploy media technology and specialized technical personnel towards a collaborative media production process.

The environment at the Centre seeks to cultivate intellectual curiosity, a sense of community, professional attitude and striving for innovation and experimentation. This has helped its graduates to hold leadership positions in various T.V. channels, production houses, media research and educational institutions.

The AJKMCRC is also known for the high quality educational programmes it has been producing for more than two decades now for the University Grants Commission (U.G.C.). In a country like India, where particularly in rural areas educational infrastructure for higher education are inadequate, television can play an important role in education. It is with this aim that UGC started its UGC-INSAT Television Project in 1984, to cater to the needs of under-graduate students studying in rural and semi-urban places. Initially UGC set up four media centres across the country to produce research based educational TV programmes to be shown on Doordarshan. The AJKMCRC was among them and has so far produced about 1000 Programmes. Today it it is a production centre for educational programmes produced for CEC, and endeavors to work with a new vigor in this direction in future.

The AJKMCRC as a part of its social commitment and responsibility towards the community within which it is situated, runs a community radio station on 90.4 FM. Addressing itself to the residents of the Jamia area, RADIO JAMIA broadcasts educational, enrichment and a wide range of rich socio-cultural programmes. These programmes can be heard around 10 kilometres radius of the Jamia campus. Currently, the radio programmes are produced by the students and the faculty of the AJKMCRC in collaboration with different groups and organization in Delhi. RADIO JAMIA is a space that provides an excellent learning experience to our students.

The AJKMCRC has both analog and digital systems for programme production for students. There are three fully equipped T.V. Studios for multi-camera productions and adequate number of DV cameras (PD-150, PD-170, DSR 570 and Panasonic DVX 100) with accessories for single camera shoots. Other production equipment includes Final Cut Pro non-linear editing machines of the G5 series, with dual processors for Film & Video, Avid Adrenaline Media Composers, Film cameras (16SR-3), Steenbeck Film Editing machines, Digital Audio Work Stations, Multimedia Lab with relevant software for Print Journalism, and Still Photography units. The MCRC updates its production facilities periodically to keep pace with the changing technology and demands of the profession.

For their specific interest as students of Mass Communication, a Media Library has been provided which has a collection of books, journals, films, video cassettes, audio cassettes, stock shots, and press clippings. It caters to the production and professional needs of the students and producers. Students are entitled to use the Zakir Hussian Library of the University for their wider intellectual interest.