The debut edition of the Marvel Media Fest 2023 hosted by the School of Media and Communications on the campus was a fusion of creativity and talent. The two-day event saw media students from 10 institutions in the region vying for the top spot during the 13+ competitions.
The event commenced with Saraswati Vandana and the lighting of the lamp at the APJ hall. Next, Shoolini University Trustee and Director Nishtha Shukla Anand and Director, School of Media and Communications, Vipin Pubby, motivated students to think beyond boundaries and excel in journalism.
Shoolini University Chancellor Professor PK Khosla, the chief guest on the first day, officially threw the Marvel Media Fest open. Pro Chancellor Vishal Anand said the inaugural fest had raised the bar for all future events, promoting creativity and excellence in media and communications.
Special guest Sanjiv Arora, Chief Advisor for International Affairs at Shoolini University, encouraged students to uphold the values of honesty and hard work in the media profession and strive for prestigious positions.
President Innovation and Marketing Ashish Khosla uplifted the spirits of the visiting students by sharing the wisdom of Ms Marvel, who once said, “The real hero is the person behind the mask.” Again, the crowd was in raptures, as channelling the indomitable spirit of Iron Man, he said, "Kabhi kabhi chalne se pehle daudna padta hai." Chief Learning Officer Ashoo Khosla was also present at the inaugural ceremony.
The heart of the event was the medley of competitions at various venues across the campus. These ranged from photography to anchoring, documentary filmmaking to captioning photographs, and much more. , the students exhibited their skills and creativity. Students from renowned universities such as Chandigarh University, Kurukshetra University, Chitkara University, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), and the host university — Shoolini — displayed their talents.
The competitions, held at different venues across the campus, were evaluated by a panel of external judges. These included award-winning director Shashwat Kaushal, renowned TV anchor and independent journalist Misha Bajwa Chaudhary, National award-winning filmmaker Vivek Mohan (Himachal), prominent Tech Entrepreneur and Author Kunal Nandwani.
Judges from Shoolini University included Chief Learning Officer Ashoo Khosla, creative head at Shoolini University Joshua Kanwar, TEDx Speaker and Advisor Shoolini University Vivek Atrey, Director Outreach Shikha Sood, Asst Prof Indu Negi, and Asst Prof Ankur Bashar.
At the Golden Hour, Shoolini's Open-Air Theatre (OAT) buzzed to life with a captivating cultural evening. The evening kicked off with a compelling theatrical act competition, followed by an electrifying performance from Shoolini alumnus Shubham Surya. The night concluded with a high-energy DJ night that had everyone on their feet.
The second day was equally exciting, with interactive sessions allowing students to engage with accomplished guests. Veteran journalist KS Tomar, former chairman of Himachal Public Service Commission (HPSC), was the Chief Guest on the second day. The Guest of Honour for the valedictory event was serial entrepreneur and author Kunal Nandwani.
The highlight of the event was a fireside chat with author Kunal Nandwani, a prominent Tech Entrepreneur and Author, in conversation with Nishtha Shukla Anand. The focus of their discussion was Kunal's thought-provoking book, 'Techtopia: How Carbon Met Silicon and Humans Entered the AI Black Hole’. In this insightful exchange, Kunal delved into the profound questions that his book explores. Is humanity's digital future often referred to as 'Techtopia’, destined to be a utopian haven or a dystopian nightmare?
Kunal didn't shy away from addressing the fundamental transformations in our world as we transition from a carbon-based society to one dominated by silicon and artificial intelligence. He pondered the essence of humanity in this ever-evolving landscape and examined the impact of technology across various aspects of our lives, from work and play to transportation, knowledge, food, and medicine. The fireside chat offered a fascinating exploration of our digital future and its profound implications for the human experience.
The event came to an end with the result declaration ceremony. Chandigarh University lifted the Overall Trophy. It was a battle of wits, skills, and pure creativity.
The Marvel Media Fest came to a memorable close with heartfelt thanks from Nishtha. She extended her gratitude to everyone involved — participants, coordinators, and contributors — for their role in making the event a smashing success. Nishtha also encouraged students to take the initiative in organising similar events in the future, highlighting the practical knowledge to be gained from such experiences.