Noida– Noida International University’s School of Journalism & Mass Communication (SJMC) hosted an inspiring Student Orientation Program in collaboration with Youth Music Pvt. Ltd. and Youth Music HQ Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai. The event, graced by the presence of Bollywood singer and composer Arko Pravo Mukherjee as the chief guest, 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, Vice Chancellor of NIU. Congratulating the School of Journalism & Mass Communication on the successful launch of the Music Lab, she highlighted NIU’s vision of fostering innovation and creativity among students. On this occasion, she added, “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 was attended by Chief Guest Arko Pravo Mukherjee, who praised NIU’s forward-looking initiative. He said, “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 the presence of music director Hanif Shaikh, famed for his work in Paathshaala, whose words added a melodic and motivational dimension to the event. Special guests Ms. Ketki Pandit, Producer, Entrepreneur, Educator, and Youth Empowerment Leader, Mr. Akhill Kumar and Mr. Raj Mehta, national influencers associated with Rashtrapati Bhavan projects and Amazon Prime Video, shared their experiences in digital storytelling, influencer marketing, and youth engagement, offering students valuable perspectives on emerging career pathways in content and media.
A key highlight was the introduction of the Creative Incubator. On this collaborative platform, students will co-create content with industry experts, build professional portfolios, and participate in live campaigns, ensuring hands-on exposure.
At the end, Dr. Aarfa Rajput, Dean of the School of Journalism & Mass Communication, thanked all the guests and administration. She added, “The session featured Artist Talks, where guests narrated their journeys of success, failure, and creativity; Career Pathways discussions, offering guidance on navigating opportunities across music, film, and digital content; and an interactive Q&A, where students engaged directly with the experts. 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.”