Times of Bennett
ArticleCampus

TSOM students attend National Young Media Fellowship Programme 2026

The FOLU India fellowship orientation brought together students, researchers and media practitioners to explore how complex food, agriculture and climate issues can be understood through systems thinking and transformed into accessible stories that connect scientific knowledge with public.

Published:October 8, 2026 at 06:51 PM2 min read
TSOM students attend National Young Media Fellowship Programme 2026
By Pooja Rastogi

Do we students ever question how complex food systems and climate issues really are? This question shaped the entire orientation program for the National Young Media Fellowship 2026, run by the Food and Land Use coalition (FOLU) India. Six students from Bennett University’s Times School of Media, along with Associate Professor Dr. Tilak Jha, who was also the key speaker of the first panel, attended the orientation organized on September 18. The program aimed at bringing students, researchers, media practitioners together to explore various ways of effectively communicating issues related to food systems, agriculture, climate and the environment.

One day orientation featured two panel discussions, first: “Communicating Food Systems Dynamics Through Systems Thinking,” encouraged participants to look beyond individual issues and understand how agriculture, land, environment, livelihoods and food consumption are connected. The discussion moved beyond the panel as students actively participated in a Q&A session, raising questions about how complex research can be communicated to a wider audience. The interaction continued informally over lunch, giving students an opportunity to engage with speakers and fellow participants to broaden their view points.


The post-lunch session, “Breaking the Ivory Tower: Translating Science into Story,” shifted the focus towards storytelling. The panel explored how scientific research can move beyond academic spaces and reach the public through clear, it also emphasized on millets, pastoralism, soil conditions in India. The sole purpose of this fellowship is to offer selected students a five-month mentorship program, with individual and group reporting assignments on topics of their choice. It also provides a field-work grant, enabling fellows to work together and report from the ground, along with opportunities for published work and networking with leading environment and policy institutions.


The orientation concluded with closing remarks by T. Nanda Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Senior Fellow, FOLU India. Through panel discussions and interactions with experts, the program encouraged students to look at these issues through systems thinking and explore how research and scientific knowledge can be translated into stories that are clear and accessible to the public.
Tags
#food and land use#bennett universitys times school of media#tilak jha#folu#associate

Related Articles

TSOM organises International Conference on AI & Children
Article
Campus

TSOM organises International Conference on AI & Children

The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Children (scheduled on 10-11 September 2026) explored how AI is reshaping childhood, education, human values and governance. Bringing together scholars and experts from India and abroad, ICAIC created space for research, debate and discussion on responsible AI futures.

Oct 8, 20263 min
#tsom#divya jha#sumit narula+2 more
<strong><em>Daayra</em></strong>: Who draws the line - Law or Society?
Article
Campus

Daayra : Who draws the line - Law or Society?

Bennett University students experienced cinema from a media perspective through a special screening of Daayra, followed by an interaction with its cast and director. The experience connected filmmaking, journalism, exposing students to the conversations surrounding law, justice and social issues.

Oct 8, 20263 min
#daayra#kareena kapoor khan#dean of times school of media+2 more
TOB Editorial Board Takes Oath, Signals a Fresh Start
Article
Campus

TOB Editorial Board Takes Oath, Signals a Fresh Start

Times of Bennett begins a new editorial chapter with 39 members taking charge, led by Editor-in-Chief, Sampada Sharma. The team commits to ethical, accurate and responsible journalism while strengthening campus reporting, student voices and digital storytelling across Bennett University.

Oct 8, 20263 min
#bennett#tob#dhiraj singh+5 more
An enthralling book talk on Dhiraj Singh's debut novel Mater O
Article
Campus

An enthralling book talk on Dhiraj Singh's debut novel Mater O

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.

May 2, 20263 min
#dhiraj singh#kunzum book#bennett university+2 more
Bridging Theory and Practice: Bennett University Hosts Insightful PR Session with Adfactors Executive
Article
Campus

Bridging Theory and Practice: Bennett University Hosts Insightful PR Session with Adfactors Executive

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.

May 2, 20263 min
#sneh gupta#nikhil dey#dhiraj singh+3 more
'Bennett Dialogues' launched with a talk on the war in West Asia
Article
Campus

'Bennett Dialogues' launched with a talk on the war in West Asia

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.

Apr 28, 20263 min
#bennett dialogues#zakka jacob#waiel awwad+3 more