The School of Journalism & Mass Communication (SJMC), NIU hosted an exclusive Student Interaction Session and an inspiring Student Orientation Program in collaboration with Youth Music Pvt. Ltd. and Youth Music HQ Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai.
The event was graced by the presence of Bollywood singer and composer Arko Pravo Mukherjee (“Teri Mitti,” “Tere Sang Yaara”) as the Chief Guest, music director Hanif Shaikh (“Paathshaala”), well-known film producer Ketki Pandit, and influencers Akhill Kumar & Raj Mehta.
The program marked the launch of the Music Incubator and Music Lab, a platform designed to nurture young creative talent and prepare them for the dynamic media landscape. The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome and felicitation of the distinguished guests by Prof. (Dr.) Uma Bhardwaj, Honourable Vice Chancellor of NIU, along with Dr. Aarfa Rajput, Dean, SJMC.
Congratulating SJMC on the successful launch, Prof. (Dr.) Uma Bhardwaj highlighted NIU’s vision of fostering innovation and creativity among students. She emphasized, “At NIU, we believe in empowering our students with not just education but also opportunities to engage with real-world industries. The Music Lab and Incubator will serve as a hub for young creators to learn, innovate, and collaborate with the best in the industry.”
The formal launch of the Music Lab by Chief Guest Arko Pravo Mukherjee was a key highlight. He remarked, “This is your time to explore, experiment, and build your creative identity. The Music Lab is a unique platform that enables you to transform your passion into a profession through hard work and dedication. I am glad to see NIU providing such opportunities that connect students directly with the industry.”
The orientation was further enriched by Artist Talks, where the guests shared their journeys of success, failure, and creativity. Career Pathways discussions provided guidance on navigating opportunities across music, film, and digital content, while an interactive Q&A session allowed students to engage directly with the experts.
The presence of Ms. Ketki Pandit (Producer, Entrepreneur, Educator, Youth Empowerment Leader), Mr. Akhill Kumar and Mr. Raj Mehta (national influencers associated with Rashtrapati Bhavan projects and Amazon Prime Video), offered students valuable insights into digital storytelling, influencer marketing, and youth engagement.
The introduction of the Creative Incubator further enhanced the program, offering students opportunities to co-create content with industry experts, build professional portfolios, and participate in live campaigns, ensuring hands-on exposure.
Concluding the session, Dr. Aarfa Rajput, Dean, SJMC, expressed gratitude to all guests and administration, adding, “This vibrant mix of inspiration, learning, and dialogue set an energetic tone for the new academic journey of SJMC students. We will keep progressing to and organizing such events to boost the morale of students.”
