MICA Launches Innovative School of Applied Creativity to Shape Future Leaders
Introduction to the School of Applied Creativity
In a groundbreaking initiative that merges creativity with technology and education, MICA (Mudra Institute of Communications) in Ahmedabad has unveiled the School of Applied Creativity. This institution aims to equip students with essential skills at the intersection of imagination, storytelling, media, and artificial intelligence.
Program Details and Global Reach
The school will offer two flagship residential programs, welcoming students from around the world to its Ahmedabad campus. The curriculum is designed to be studio-based and production-oriented, drawing inspiration from renowned institutions such as Central Saint Martins in the UK, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Southern California (USC), with distinguished professionals from these schools serving as faculty.
Launch Timeline and Capacity
Set to commence in July 2026, the initial phase of both programs will accommodate between 80 to 100 students.
Notable Faculty and Online Offerings
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Shekhar Kapur will serve as the chief mentor for the institute. Additionally, the school plans to introduce online masterclasses, making its courses accessible to students across India and beyond.
Flagship Programs Overview
The School of Applied Creativity will offer two flagship residential programmes:
- Crafting Creative Communications (CCC): A one-year program focused on applied creativity.
- PGP in Media, Content & Entertainment: A two-year immersive program designed for future content leaders.
- Admission process: Candidates will need to take the written test, MICAT.
Launch Announcement and Vision
The launch was revealed during a conference attended by notable figures including Tina Ambani (Chairperson, MICA Foundation), Jaya Deshmukh (Director & CEO, MICA), and Ramkumar Ramamoorthy (Former CMD, Cognizant India).
Tina Ambani emphasized MICA's commitment to staying ahead of trends, stating, “Since its inception, MICA has recognized the vital link between marketing, communication, and culture. We embraced digital innovation early on and integrated design thinking into business education long before it became mainstream. Today, we continue this legacy by acknowledging imagination as the key currency of the future, empowering individuals to become creative leaders in the Age of Imagination.”
Formation of the MICA AI Advisory Board
Ramamoorthy announced the establishment of the MICA AI Advisory Board, comprising a diverse group of experts from leading companies like Amazon Artificial General Intelligence, Salesforce, and Google DeepMind.
MICA Dean Dr. Githa Heggde elaborated on the board's role, stating, “These experts will guide our journey and ensure that MICA continues to foster creative leadership in this imaginative era. The advisory board will serve for an initial three-year term and will act as a strategic partner to MICA's Director and Executive Leadership Team.”
Understanding the Future of Creativity
Jaya Deshmukh highlighted the school's vision, noting that while AI will democratize knowledge, the future will hinge on human creativity, imagination, and cultural intelligence. She pointed out the growing gap in the market for AI-trained professionals in India, asserting that MICA's new school addresses this need by blending creativity with technology, making applied creativity a vital skill.
The conference also featured an engaging fireside chat titled 'Beyond Data: Why Imagination Will Define the Next Economy,' moderated by MICA alumna Malika Rodrigues. The discussion included insights from Aparna Kumar, Former CIO of State Bank of India and HSBC, Shekhar Kapur, and Suraja Kishore, ex-CEO of BBDO, emphasizing the importance of creativity as a strategic tool for societal and economic advancement.