BU News

On World Book Day 2026 at Kunzum Book Cafe, Bennett University students explored the futuristic novel Master O by Dhiraj Singh, Deputy Dean at Times School of Media. Hosted by media expert Mia Lakra, the book talk delved into the story's themes of godmen, politics, and superpowers, earning Singh the Salis Mania Best Author Award (2023). Singh passionately unpacked character symbolism drawn from real-life observations, his writing journey, and revisions to perfect the plot. Lakra's witty questions and a rapid-fire round added humor, leading to an engaging Q&A. The event ended with thanks and felicitation for Singh, Lakra, and cafe founder Ajay Jain, leaving a memorable impact.

Bennett University's Times School of Media conducted a masterclass in PR and personal branding featuring Nikhil Dey, Executive Director at Adfactors PR. Students were walked through the A - Z of the public relations world through innovative interactive segments.

Times School of Media at Bennett University hosted the inaugural 'Bennett Dialogues' session, featuring West Asia expert Waiel Awwad in conversation with senior journalist Zakka Jacob. They discussed the Israel-Iran-USA conflict's global implications, including its roots in broader U.S.-China-Russia geopolitics, Israel's territorial ambitions per its scriptures, Gaza's humanitarian crisis affecting 2.6 million, and uneven global responses to events like October 7.Awwad critiqued U.S. "weapons of mass deception" over 253 years (e.g., Vietnam, Iraq, Iran), highlighted media bias with "no free media," and linked wars to economic greed over oil and chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. He shared experiences from conflict zones, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and noted India's proactive stance amid potential economic risks like inflation.The event, attended by students and faculty, ended with Deputy Dean Prof. Dhiraj Singh's vote of thanks, promoting critical thinking on international issues.

Bennett University's Times School of Media hosted an intensive 48 hour photography and filmmaking workshop in association with DIGITEK & Cineposium Initiative. Students gained insights into the art of composition, gained valuable hands on experience and won goodies.

Bennett University has launched BENNETT DIALOGUES, a fortnightly talk series conceptualized by Chancellor Vineet Jain (Times Group MD) to help students grasp global geopolitical shifts. Led by Prof. Dhiraj Singh (Head, Centre for Media & Technology), it features informal fireside chats and Q&A with experts in geopolitics, business, and media. The series aims to connect world events to everyday impacts, like how the US-Israel-Iran war affects India's petrol and LPG prices. The inaugural edition on April 21 explores "The War in West Asia," with Times Now's Zakka Jacob and Dr. Waiel Awwad (Syrian-origin expert on West Asia conflicts, based in Delhi). Prof. Singh highlights its blend of Times Group media legacy and Bennett's academic excellence, benefiting media, liberal arts, business, and law students.

Jashn-E-Cinema 2026 embodied the university's vibrant cultural spirit through a night of unity, talent, and reflection. The highlight was BYOB Live's finale, where the audience joined in singing and swaying, blurring the stage and crowd in a shared, emotional celebration marking the year's end. The evening opened with a poignant badge ceremony honouring club leaders for their dedication, setting a reflective tone before the performances. Clubs showcased diverse talents: Advaita's energetic band set the musical rhythm; Cerebrum's witty Farzi Mushaira skit satirised poetry; Panache's ethnic-modern ramp walk dazzled visually; Verve's narrative Bollywood dance enthralled; Ansh's comedic theatre Big B chal Padhe delivered laughs; and Rivaaz's classical dance closed gracefully. Vikram Singh, Music Society Secretary, summed it up: “A great end to the year—a final goodbye, but a celebration of what we’ve built together.” The event was a farewell tapestry of collaboration, from quiet honours to explosive energy.

Bennett University, with ADiRA, DataLEADS, Google.org, ADB, and AVPN, hosted the “AI for Health” webinar on World Health Day. With 200+ registrations, experts discussed AI in early disease detection, diabetes care, and prompt engineering. The session blended practical insights with discussion, highlighting AI’s growing impact on healthcare and awareness.

Stop choosing between a paycheck and a promotion. Bennett University has officially launched its January 2026 Online MBA Foundation Batch, signalling the end of the "career break" era. This high-octane program, backed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., is designed to turn working professionals into future-ready leaders through tactical decision-making and real-world application, all without leaving the workforce. For those looking to dominate the boardroom, the rules of the game just changed.

Marking 20 years of Times Now journalism, the summit shaped India's future in innovation and influence. Day 1 featured Vineet Jain urging Atmanirbhar self-reliance in AI, defence, and more. Kiren Rijiju defended democracy, critiqued Rahul Gandhi, and backed an anti-"dalal" stance. Maneesha Ramesh detailed sustainable community solutions, such as lemongrass distillation. A panel with Dr. Sangeetha Reddy, Archana Vyas, and Mira Rajput stressed healthcare, women's empowerment, AI, and startups. Navika Kumar challenged Asaduddin Owaisi's parliamentary critiques and war views, noting his provocative diversions (e.g., Israel as "tawaif," US as "Mr Orange"). Iran's Dr Mohammed Hussein Zeinani addressed unity and negotiations; Rekha Gupta touted Delhi NCR infrastructure; Shilpa Rao and Harmanpreet Kaur shared cultural/sports insights. Day 2 intensified with Amit Shah praising the economy, agriculture, infrastructure, and PM policies; MP CM Mohan Yadav highlighting state roles via Ladli Laxmi Yojana and growth; Akhilesh Yadav pushing opposition views on accountability. Bollywood's Kriti Sanon discussed her career and film evolution, quipping she's "not a sports person."Overall, the event sparked dynamic dialogues across politics, states, the economy, and culture.

The event gathered advertising leaders, academicians, and media professionals to explore building trust amid rampant advertising. It kicked off with a welcome from Asst. Prof. Sneh Gupta and a keynote by Dr. Sumit Narula on the media's role against misinformation and ASCI's ethical standards. Prof. Dhiraj Singh highlighted unethical ads' role in consumer distrust, while key speaker Subhash Kamath traced ASCI's origins and advertising's shift to influencer marketing. Dr. Saheli Sinha discussed industry evolution, preventive regulations since 2023, and the power of emotional storytelling in ethical campaigns. Interactive discussions stressed responsible advertising to consumers, society, brands, and industry—via self-regulation, disclosures in influencer marketing, avoiding stereotypes, and curbing harmful practices. Mr. Senthil Kumar praised the academia-industry bridge. The session ended with a quiz on ad laws and ethics, underscoring transparency and self-regulation for lasting consumer trust in a digital world.

The 61st Femina Miss India North Zone Auditions at Bennett University showcased aspiring models from North India through screening rounds, talent displays, and interviews. Judges like Bhawana Rao, Rishi Raj, and others evaluated confidence, originality, and stage presence. Standouts included Harsh from Punjab challenging stereotypes, Delhi's Ankana embracing authenticity, comedian Kaashvi Mehra, and Kathak dancer Sakshi Mengane. Top 5 finalists: Punjab (Yashika Sharma et al.), Himachal (Shivangi Rana et al.), Delhi (Shruty Rana et al.). The event celebrated self-expression, breaking barriers, and ambition, highlighting Bennett University's stellar hosting.

On March 10, 2025, Times School of Media at Bennett University hosted a masterclass by Lovejeet Alexander, Director - New Economy at Bloomberg, on modern financial journalism, the digital economy, and data-driven storytelling. Dhiraj Sir opened the session, discussing technological shifts in the economy before introducing Alexander, who contrasted the old economy (physical assets like factories) with the new (data, tech, and platforms like Amazon and Meta). He explored the attention economy—where attention builds influence and attracts capital—and narrative capital, where stories drive markets, citing GameStop, AI hype, Paytm's IPO, Adani volatility, and Zerodha's trust-based success. Alexander concluded with five principles for journalists: track capital flows, grasp industry tech, distinguish narrative from reality, value credibility over speed, and adopt a global mindset—stressing accuracy amid information-driven markets.

Padmashri Kathak guru Shovana Narayan has invited Bennett University's Times School of Media (TSOM) Deputy Dean Dhiraj Singh to portray Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in the dance drama Kadambari: The Poet’s Muse. Scheduled for March 18, 2026, at 7 PM at Delhi's Kamani Auditorium, the production—directed by Narayan, who plays Kadambari Devi—blends Kathak, Rabindra Sangeet, and theatre to explore Tagore's early vulnerabilities and creative awakening. Amid AI's rise, Singh emphasizes humanity's enduring creativity. This milestone bridges media education and classical arts, aligning with BU's holistic mission.

Sportikon 4.0, a vibrant four-day sports fest from February 19-22, electrified participants from Bennett, Galgotias, Sharda, Doon, Ashoka, Amity, Shiv Nadar, and more universities. Football stole the show with Galgotias' dominant 6-0 rout of Doon, Bennett's 3-0 win over Sharda, alumni edging 2-1, and Galgotias' thrilling 2-1 victory against Shiv Nadar—fueled by unity, per star Parav Gupta. Basketball dazzled with coordination, volleyball with smashes, cricket with strategy, and indoors like badminton, table tennis, chess showcased talent and smarts. Amid roaring crowds and flawless organization, it celebrated resilience, teamwork, and sportsmanship—leaving memories and hype for next year.

In a pre-partition era of undivided love, 'Saanjha Kuan - The Shared Well' follows Bhuvan Chaudhary, a young Lahore music maestro, and shy Lajjo, whose innocent romance blooms by a village well amid rural Punjab's serenity. Facing betrayal, patriarchal pressures, and societal norms, their old-school "ishq" endures without screens or swipes. Directed by Safin Laller, this Times School of Media production—born in a hostel room on a ₹15,000 budget—was shot in Kurukshetra's winter chill. Clinching first prize at Amity Youth Fest 2026-27 (₹40,000) and Mumbai Fest's Best Music, it streams free on YouTube today.

Bennett University’s Times School of Media, partnering with IN-SPACe, launched a five-day course on “Communication and Public Engagement in the Space Sector” to demystify satellite data for the public. Inaugurated by IN-SPACe’s Dr. Vinod Kumar and Gaurav Kumar alongside Dean Prof. Dr. Sumit Narula, it spotlighted algorithms for real-time space decisions, Human-in-the-Loop systems, hardware testing, data validation, and India’s Vyommitra humanoid for Gaganyaan. Sessions linked Aryabhata’s Pi calculations and Earth rotation insights to modern GPS and missions. “Aryabhata inspires India’s space journey,” noted Dr. Kumar. Workshops boosted responsible storytelling in India’s booming space ecosystem.

For three unforgettable days, the BU campus stopped being ordinary. It did not feel like classrooms, corridors, and attendance registers anymore. It felt like a universe of its own—louder, brighter, and infinitely more alive. “Uphoria” was not just a college fest; it was an experience that transformed the familiar into something extraordinary.

Rajpal Yadav, Bollywood's comic spark for over two decades—stealing scenes as nervous schemers—recently exited Tihar Jail on interim bail in a cheque bounce case, vowing to address allegations amid his 30-year career milestone. The dispute dates to 2010: Yadav sought funds for directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata (2012), via businessman Madhav Gopal Agarwal, persuaded emotionally by Yadav's wife, Radha. Post Amitabh Bachchan music launch, court stays and promises led to a ₹10 crore+ settlement, but bounced cheques followed—Agarwal claims tears and bank loans amid non-payment. Yadav's advocate asserts ₹2.25 crore repaid, seeking a full hearing. This exposes mid-tier actors' financial fragility: passion projects on informal loans, where fame doesn't shield them from accountability. From punchlines to petitions, stardom's layers unfold in law's deliberate course.

Bennett University’s Uphoria cultural fest launched on Valentine’s Day 2026 under the theme “Where stories write themselves,” igniting campus-wide excitement with talent from multiple institutions. Daytime buzzed with diverse competitions: Rockymania’s Battle of Bands rocked the main stage, while Bars Mayhem rap battles, Chandrakala classical dance, Nrityakala folk groups, Kala Sangam fusion duets, Graffiti Groove art, FIFA and Tekken gaming showdowns, Comedy Clash, and media contests like Reel Rush captured creativity. Prom night bridged to evening stars—Shruti Dhasmana’s soulful hits sparked sing-alongs, followed by DJ Karmari’s pulsating beats that partied past midnight. Supernova’s fashion show dazzled with thematic narratives, and Sumit Gangwar claimed Mr. Uphoria, with Kavya Dwivedi as Ms. Uphoria.

Day 2 of Uphoria at Bennett University pulsed with passion, chemistry, and ethnic flair, blending music, poetry, business, and street art. Students in vibrant outfits immersed themselves in events like the celebrity-led 'Bismil ki Mehfil' Sufi night, featuring soulful renditions of 'Kali Kali Zulfien' and 'Mahadeva'. Western singing shone in 'Reverb', where Lakshita from JSS University called it "transformational," while 'Aaroh' honored Indian classical traditions under moderator Anupam. Literary vibes flowed at 'Mehfill-e-Alfaas' Hindi poetry open mic, judged by Kushagra Joshi, alongside impactful Nukkad Natak street plays and open-stage mono-acts that sparked critical thinking. 'Business Bazar' stalls showcased entrepreneurial spirit with handmade goods. The day climaxed with an energetic DJ night, contrasting the Sufi serenity, ending in a triumphant mix of excitement and cultural pride.

UPHORIA 2026's Day 3 at Bennett University climaxed with Harrdy Sandhu's electrifying concert, belting hits like 'Soch' and 'Yaar Nahi Mileya,' igniting cheers, dances, and flashlight waves among ecstatic students. The day kicked off with 'Groove Wars' dance battles judged by Rizz Arena, featuring hip-hop and fusion flair—Rohit Mehra called it unforgettable. 'Rangmanch' stage plays tackled social themes, 'Improvleela' tested improv skills under Vipul's judging, 'Freestyle Frenzy' thrilled crowds, and 'Doodle Dash' showcased art judged by Anu Jain and Dr. Mukesh Singh. 'Business Bazar' buzzed with creative stalls, Shein giveaways, and photo booths. 'Ahsaas Band' warmed up for Sandhu's finale, celebrating youth, talent, and unity.

Bennett University's Fireside Chat, "The Human Touch in the Age of AI," hosted by Professor Dhiraj Singh, featured speakers Christian Grou, Marianne Williamson, and Kunal Dalal. They explored AI's transformative impact on media, education, and more, stressing ethical development guided by human values, empathy, and consciousness. Dalal likened "parenting" AI to instill fairness.

ET Now brought its special pre-Budget series, 'Bharat Budget Yatra,' to Bennett University for a featured show titled ‘Budget 2026: Building Tomorrow's Bharat,’ involving a high-impact discussion with our Bennettians, hosted by Deputy Editor at ET Now, Sumita Kareer.

BU MUN 4.0, held on November 15–16 at Bennett University, brought together 350+ delegates from 65+ institutions for high-energy debate across six committees, including the much-talked-about IPL Auction Committee with a ₹2.5-lakh prize pool. Day one featured strong opening debates and a vibrant Sufi Night, while day two saw intense negotiations, amendments, and decisive voting. The conference combined competition with culture, offering delegates a meaningful blend of diplomacy, strategy, and learning. Correspondents Aradhya and Shreya captured the event’s spirit, with visuals by photojournalist Megha Lahiri.

Bennett University's Pickleball Influencer Hunt offers students a chance to join the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) 2025 in New Delhi (Dec 1-7). As a sponsor for Lucknow Leopards, BU will host Miss India Aayushi Dholakia on November 29th to select winners. The Leopards' star lineup includes Aditya Ruhela and Ryler Deheart, aiming for the inaugural title.

A 9-day acting workshop with acclaimed theatre artist Sohaila Kapur begins at the Times School of Media, Bennett University, on 16 November 2025. Supported by Professor Dhiraj Singh, the programme offers industry-led training in voice, movement, body language, and character. With limited seats, it provides a rare opportunity for students to build confidence, stage presence, and expressive skills under expert guidance.

The 7th convocation of Bennett University was held on 15th November 2025 in Greater Noida, where 1882 degrees and 25 PhDs were conferred. Dignitaries included Chancellor Vineet Jain and guests Nadir Godrej and Ritesh Agarwal, who addressed and inspired the graduates. The ceremony featured traditional rituals, speeches, award presentations and concluded with gratitude, celebrating student achievements and marking a new chapter for the graduates.

Bennett University’s Anime Club hosted COTC 5.0, an engaging and creative “Slice of Life”-themed quiz on November 12, challenging teams across three dynamic and interactive rounds. Nalin Thakur, Ayush Jain, and Sukant Aryan emerged victorious in a spirited and competitive event that was both immersive and memorable. The lively atmosphere highlighted the club’s enthusiastic participation, deep anime expertise, and its vibrant, community-driven cultural role on campus.

Bennett University’s Halloween celebration featured eerie costumes, thrilling performances, and an electrifying DJ night. Students fully embraced the spooky theme as the campus transformed into a haunting spectacle with elaborate decorations, creating an unforgettable night that perfectly blended fright, fun, and festive energy.

Students of Bennett University engaged in a thought-provoking interaction with actresses Yami Gautam, Vartika Singh, and director Suparn Verma, who all are the team behind Haq. The session explored the film’s depiction of the historic Shah Bano case while offering insights into acting, research, and the collaborative process of filmmaking that bridges cinema with socio-political awareness.

The Times School of Media, Bennett University, hosted a masterclass titled “Video Storytelling 101: How to Stand Out” by veteran producer and educator Viveck Vaswani on October 13, 2025. Known for mentoring Shah Rukh Khan, Mr Vaswani urged students to turn passion into knowledge and strategy, reminding them that success follows a clear formula: knowledge, strategy, plan, control, power, success. With humour and honesty, he broke myths about Bollywood and highlighted diverse media careers beyond acting and direction. The session inspired students to pair creativity with curiosity — and stand out by truly knowing their craft.

This is an article that dives into how Diwali is celebrated in different cities across the world, and how the festival of lights is successfully spreading its notion of positivity, and victory of good over evil- beyond borders. It covers how Diwali celebrations unfold in cities such as Singapore, New York, Yokohama and Toronto.

On 26th September 2025, Bennett University’s C5 stage turned into a carnival of lights, music, and tradition with Garba Night 6.0. Over 3,000 students dressed in colourful Gujarati attire filled the campus with energy, dancing to dhol beats and DJ Kunal’s electrifying mixes. Performances by the Law School and Rivaaz dance club set the festive spirit, while food stalls added flavour to the night. More than just a cultural celebration, the event became a vibrant blend of tradition, togetherness, and campus life.

Jhol 6.0, the flagship Event Management exam of Bennett University’s Times School of Media, transformed classroom learning into a real-world B2C showcase on September 29, 2025. Conceived by Prof. Shruti Jain, the sixth edition carried the theme “Dil Maange More”, addressing unity amid global and national challenges. Four Management Cells (MCs) presented brand-based performances inspired by Tata Tea, Surf Excel, Fevicol, and Amul, each connecting advertising ideas with social issues. From pre-event brand stalls to creative stage acts, students demonstrated innovation, teamwork, and audience engagement.

Dr. Ajay Dutt, MLA from Ambedkar Nagar, addressed TSOM students on how media influences political perception and accountability. He emphasized ethical journalism and urged future media professionals to uphold democracy through unbiased reporting. The political leader also delved into the ethical responsibilities of Indian media as the fourth pillar of democracy to expose governments when their actions harm the national interests and are against the welfare of citizens.

On October 1, 2025, PG Diploma in TV & Journalism students attended a guest lecture by media professional and former Splitsvilla 2 contestant Mia Lakra at Times School of Media, Bennett University. . Emphasising confidence, networking, and resilience as keys to success in media, Lakra shared her career journey, from overcoming personal challenges to building a niche in lifestyle and fashion. She urged students to stay grounded, strategic, and persistent, concluding with an interactive relay interview activity.

On September 23, 2025, TSOM hosted Tara & Akash cast Jitesh Thakur and Alankrita Bora for an interactive session on the campus. The duo shared insights on their film — a love story inspired by the famous book Autobiography of a Yogi — and encouraged students to follow their passion. The event ended with the announcement of 20 special show tickets for students.

The Times School of Media, Bennett University, hosted an Industry Workshop on Event Management on September 12, 2025. Led by Anand Bisaryaa, Founder of Elegante World, with his team, the session prepared students for Jhol 6.0 through hands-on activities, case studies, and real pitches. From chaos in planning drills to lessons on crisis management, students learned the importance of clarity, creativity, and communication. Closing with, “Every event is either a story to tell or a reference for the future,” Anand left students inspired to craft impactful events

On September 12, 2025, Sir Jatin Gandhi, trainer with ADiRA, addressed Times School of Media students on the evolving role of AI in journalism. Emphasising AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement, he stressed the irreplaceable value of fact-checking, context, and ethics in reporting. While AI aids research and content creation, its risks—like hallucinations—make human oversight essential. His session, guided by the academic leadership of Prof. Dhiraj Singh, underscored that technology may shape narratives, but truth remains a human responsibility.

Madhavdas Gopalakrishnan, Senior Executive Editor and show host at Times Now, addressed media students at Bennett University, sharing insights into the fast-paced world of television journalism. He emphasized the need for fair, 360-degree reporting, emotional connection in storytelling, and the fine line between dramatisation and sensationalism, offering students a rare inside view of the workings of a newsroom.

CMS Vatavaran’s “Breath of Change” at Bennett University brought together students, faculty, and media experts to highlight air pollution through impactful short films. The event emphasised the power of storytelling in driving awareness, with speakers urging young people to utilise media as a tool for change and reaffirming that clean air is a fundamental human right.

The event’s festivities began with the newly anointed Student Council’s badging ceremony in the morning, graced by the presence of Mr Vineet Jain, Chancellor, Bennett University and MD, The Times Group. This was followed by Bluemoon in the evening, a celebration made even more special by the tireless efforts of the Student Council.

The Club Mela 2025 at Bennett University transformed the German Hanger into a vibrant hub of creativity where freshmen explored diverse clubs and related activities ranging from cultural to professional societies. The event, filled with performances and interactive stalls, offered students a glimpse into the campus life beyond the classrooms.

The Times of Bennett is a portal run by the students of Times School of Media as part of their training. This includes mobile videos, podcasts, web reports, web features, infographics and photo essays. Besides this, the students work on wire reports too and update content in real-time. The website is also powered by the Content Management System used by the Times Group, giving students the opportunity to learn aspects of journalism using technology that is the best in the industry.

TSOM, Bennett University hosted NDTV’s Naghma Sahar for a student masterclass on agile, tech-led anchoring, where every word matters.

TSOM Masterclass on Digital Diplomacy and Information Politics

We are in a revolutionary period with AI, but we must approach it wisely, says Global Educator Dr. Barbara Oakley. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience, Dr. Barbara Oakley offered compelling insights into how our brains build knowledge through two key systems: the declarative system for conscious learning and the procedural system for automatic skill development. Her research underscores that even in a digital-first world, internal knowledge remains foundational to deeper understanding and long-term learning

Deeksharambh 2025: A start of a new journey!

Deeksharambh unites students; guest speaker sparks curiosity and creative growth.

India’s animation and VFX industry is witnessing exponential growth, fuelled by global content consumption and emerging digital platforms. With Indian studios now servicing international markets, the sector presents immense career opportunities for creatively skilled professionals. That's why Bennett University’s School of Design, in collaboration with the nation’s premier industry association, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), has launched a new specialisation, Bachelor of Design – B. Des (Hons.) in Advanced Animation and VFX.