Computing Academics into New Age Applied Science Programs and Fields Emphasizing Trend on Animation and Multimedia Technology— An Investigation of Indian Private Universities

— The world is changing rapidly and for this information and technology playing a leading role. Computing is the vital driving force for the information and technological affairs which include collection, selection, organization, processing, management and dissemination of information. Initially the field computing was started with the domain Computer Science and then gradually many other subjects and allied areas have been developed viz. Computer Engineering, Computer Systems, Computing, Computer Application, Software Engineering etc. Moreover in a different track i.e. on ‘Information Centric’ many other subjects have been developed and widely used viz. Information Technology, Informatics, Information Systems, Information Science, Knowledge Management etc. Even the advancement of interdisciplinary research leads many new merged and inter-connected areas and fields viz. Geo Information Science, Health Information Science etc. The areas of computing and information are also called as Information Sciences or Computing and Information Sciences as well. Among the sub fields and areas within the field is Multimedia Technology and it is important and emerging in Indian Universities as well. This paper is a conceptual and theoretical one; which is governed by the aim of emerging Multimedia Technology programs in Indian Private Universities.


INTRODUCTION
The field of Information Technology is most emerging and rapidly growing there are lot of development undertaken in last few decades. Initially the journey was started with the domain of Computing track and at first with 'Computer Science' though gradually universities were moved on other concentrations due to requirement in the industries and organizations and in this context the field of Computing/ Computer Application has been developed [1], [5], [10]. However in India, the term 'Computer Application' is mainly conceptualized and started as an academic program with leading to BCA and MCA degree. Computer Engineering is another domain focused with the designing and development of Computers or Computer Systems [2], [3], [11]. Though the market demand and need of the information affairs in the industry has lead the development of new subject called 'Information Technology'. It is worthy to note that it is called as IT and mainly consist with the sub fields and components viz. Database Technology, Network Technology, Multimedia Technology, Software Technology etc [4], [5], [10]. Hence the domain Information Technology deals various other components apart from Software Technology which is an important components in other allied and related subjects (mainly Computer Track) [6], [7], [12]. The area of Multimedia Technology within IT no doubt emerging and valuable due to its needs and growing uses in Indian academics previously it was treated as a area and components of IT but the latest development in the education systems, components leads the development and as a result Multimedia Technology is become a field of study and academic program in the universities emphasizing private universities [8], [9], [12]. The paper focuses how, why and where Multimedia Technologies and allied branch become an important domain and field of study.

II. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS
The present paper is conceptual in nature and deals with the various aim and objectives which include but not limited to the following- , [13], [16].

IV. APPLIED SCIENCE & INFORMATION SCIENCES: NEW DIRECTION
The broader domain within 'Computer and Information' is Information Science. There are many new subjects and interdisciplinary fields have been generated within this which includes  Health Information Science,  Bio Information Science,  Chemo Information Science,  Geo Information Science,  Business Information Science etc.
Moreover the field also received few other components within Information Technology which includes (but not limited to) Database Technology, Multimedia Technology, Network Technology, Communication Technology, Web Technology apart from Software Technology. It is worthy to note that these each components in recent past developed as a branch of study and even emerged field with the degrees leading to Bachelors and Masters one. Even many of these branches are available with BTech and MTech Degrees. For example the degrees are available with BSc/MSc/BTech/MTech-Networking Technology etc. The latest educational model and policies are rising recently as a specialization/ major within the branch of 'Computing and Information/IT' for example MSc-Information Technology (Networking)/ (Database)/ (Web Technology) etc. The same may be also available in other smaller or broader subjects within the field viz. 'Computer Science'/ 'Information Science'. Apart from these another possible/rising move on Engineering and Technology degrees i.e. BTech/MTech [10], [14], [15].  The popularity and need of Multimedia not only lead it as a branch but also reached a level that it is dealing with the concentration and area of Computing programs and area (As Multimedia Technology is a part of Information Technology). The private universities in this regard doing an experiment and educational planning, implementation of offering Multimedia and Allied Technologies with the branch and degree of BTech/MTech. The important affair is the Multimedia is offered within the tag of BTech/MTech-CSE as a specialization/ major in the line of western universities. Such as-  In a recent move and educational experiments universities have started the Multimedia and Allied Technologies specially the Animation etc within the Degree of BFA. A detailed on this with the name of the universities and programs etc (including Designing field) have been provided in Table: 5. Moreover Table: 4 depicted in details with the name of the universities, their territory and the programs in the Multimedia and Allied Technologies offering programs other than common Science and Arts track. It is a great move by the private universities of introducing the latest and emerging Multimedia and Allied Technologies within the field and program of Designing, Fine Arts and also creating this is as an important branch of Engineering and also as a specialization of Computer Science and Engineering.

V. MULTIMEDIA AND ALLIED TECHNOLOGIES: A CASE STUDY
This study already reveals that Computer Application is an important branch within 'Computing' track and conceptualized, developed and still available only in India. But it is only concentrated with Software Technologies/ Field, when rest of the world started different applied program viz. IT etc having concentration of more than IT, the Indian academics were moved into Computer Application with the degrees of BCA/MCA. Though in a latest move by the private universities is that inclusion of important IT component i.e. Multimedia and Allied Technologies within Computer Application leading to BCA degree (details are provided in Table:   It is reveals by the study that Multimedia and Allied Technologies now as full-fledged field and academic program and a large number of universities have started the field within the track Science/Arts. As per the study forty (40) universities have offered the program. While Engineering and Technology grab five (5) program in the field.  As far as the study it has noticed that a majority (say about all) of the program are from the Science with direct concentration rather specialization or major of 'Computing and Information' branch (Refer Table: 6).  It has also observed that a university started a different and emerging program with the degree of Vocational stream with B.Voc. (details in depicted in Table: 6).  Computer Application 02

VII. CONCLUSION
Multimedia and Allied Technologies is rapidly growing within the field of Computing and Information Technology. Initially Multimedia were treated as a technology for text, audio, video, image, contents, animation etc and gradually it has become an important branch of IT. But the development and progress of education systems, science and technology and their requirement in the diverse field lead it is as a program as well in renowned international universities. To see the changing trend and importance many Indian Universities specially private universities are taken initiative to introduce and incorporate Multimedia and Allied Technologies as a branch with specialization, major and concentration in different educational subjects. Significantly the field Multimedia and Allied Technologies not only introduced as a full-fledged field or a major within Multimedia and Allied Technologies but also in a subjects like fine arts or designing due to possibilities of linkages etc. It has noted with the study that BFA and BCA are already have Multimedia and Allied Technologies as a concentration but Masters of these field not yet started with this concentration and thus there is a great potentiality to introduce this stream for the interested learner and professional with difference. Moreover other universities may start the program with possible collaboration and tie-up etc with the industries, organizations and institutions etc.