The eighth edition of the JLU International Festival of Media, the signature annual event of Jagran Lakecity University’s Faculty of Journalism and Communication, was successfully held on April 11 and 12 at the university campus in Bhopal. The theme for this year’s festival was “The Bharat Effect: India as the Epicentre of Media Innovation.”
Over the course of two days, the festival featured more than 16 national and international speakers, comprising renowned journalists, political scientists, advertising leaders, geopolitical experts, photojournalists, public relations strategists, and media professionals.
Day one saw impactful sessions by notable speakers including Yashwant Deshmukh, Abhishek Gulyani, Dr. Stanly Johny, Sandeep Shastri, Ritam Bhatnagar, and Vicky Roy, who shared valuable insights and interacted with students. The ninth edition of the student magazine ‘Comma’ was also unveiled during the inaugural session, along with the announcement of the upcoming Creative Summer School, scheduled for May 2025.
Day two featured fireside chats, panel discussions, student showcases, book reviews, and masterclasses with speakers such as Deep Halder, Dharam Valia, Akansha Thakur, Sonia Bhaskar, Rajesh Bhat, Reema Sanghavi, Sushma Gaikwad, and Neelesh Tripathi, creating an atmosphere of inspiration and learning.
The festival drew over 300 student entries across various competitions, with participation from more than 14 schools and colleges from across central India.
Prof Diwakar Shukla, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, said,
“At Jagran Lakecity University, we understand the power of the student experience to change lives, generate big ideas, and nurture the media leaders our world needs. The JLU International Festival of Media celebrates the many dimensions of media and communication. Creative education at JLU goes far beyond the classroom, offering enriched extracurricular experiences, global exposure, career preparation, leadership development, and hands-on research through projects.”
The event witnessed participation from a large number of students, academicians, and industry practitioners, offering unparalleled networking opportunities with pioneers in media, communication, and design. Building on the success of previous editions, the 2025 festival provided actionable insights into the evolving Indian media landscape and strengthened the university’s position as a hub of media innovation.
