Lucknow: Amity School of Languages, Amity University Lucknow Campus, inaugurated the fourth season of its ‘Theatre Utsav’ with a two-day National Seminar on “Skill Enhancement for Viksit Bharat-2047: Role of Digital Communication, Media Studies and Performing Arts in Higher Education” today.
Sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the seminar brought together academicians, educators and students to deliberate on the role of digital communication, media studies and performing arts in higher education and their contribution to skill enhancement among students.
The inaugural ceremony commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest Mr Pulkit Khare, IAS, Mission Director, Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission; Prof. Dr Anil Vashisht, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Amity University Lucknow Campus; Wg. Cdr. (Dr) Anil Kumar Tiwari (Retd.), Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor; Prof. (Dr) Meenakshi Pawha (Retd.), Department of English and European Languages, University of Lucknow; Prof. (Dr) Beena Rai, Principal, Avadh Girls’ Degree College; Mrs Madhavi Kukreja, Founder, Mahindra Sanatkada Festival; journalist Alok Parajkar; and Prof. Dr Kum Kum Ray, Director, Amity School of Languages and Seminar Chairperson.
Welcoming the guests and participants, Prof. Dr Kum Kum Ray highlighted the need to integrate performing arts, media and digital communication with higher education. She emphasised that in the rapidly changing academic and professional environment, developing creativity, communication skills and practical competencies among students has become increasingly important.
Wg. Cdr. (Dr) Anil Kumar Tiwari (Retd.) cautioned the participants about the emerging challenges associated with Artificial Intelligence and said that rapid progress towards Viksit Bharat would also require confidence in India’s ancient knowledge systems. He underlined the importance of multidisciplinary education and skill development for the holistic development of students.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. (Dr) Meenakshi Pawha, spoke about the changing nature of education, communication and performing arts and their growing relevance in higher education. Drawing an analogy with theatre, she said that theatre involves rehearsals, through which individuals prepare themselves for situations and assess their preparedness. She emphasised that if India is to become a developed nation by 2047, citizens capable of contributing to that vision must be prepared from today. She highlighted the need to prepare students for different situations, including developing civic sense, through continuous practice and assessment.
Prof. (Dr) Beena Rai, said that while the present generation belongs to the era of Gen Z, it is the responsibility of society and educational institutions to nurture young people with Indian culture, heritage and human values, as this generation will eventually take charge of the country’s future. She said that while Artificial Intelligence can provide information, values and Sanskar are developed through family and society.
Prof. Dr Anil Vashisht, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Amity University Lucknow Campus, said that Theatre Utsav is part of the Innovation Week being organised at Amity. He highlighted the growing importance of digital communication, media studies and performing arts in higher education and skill development. He encouraged students to gain maximum knowledge and experience from the Theatre Utsav and the seminar and apply these learnings for their personal and professional development.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Mr Pulkit Khare, IAS, Mission Director, Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission, highlighted the importance of youth skill development in building Viksit Bharat and stressed the need for skill-based education. He said that there was no need to fear Artificial Intelligence; rather, it should be used as a tool to enhance one’s skills. He also emphasised that the concept of skill is broad and that individuals can continue to enhance their skills at any stage of life.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the release of the Theatre Utsav 2026 Seminar Souvenir (Book of Abstracts). The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr Rohit Yadav, Assistant Professor, Amity School of Languages, followed by the National Anthem and a group photograph.
The two-day National Seminar aims to promote academic dialogue on emerging dimensions of skill development, digital communication, media education and performing arts in higher education, while exploring new opportunities and possibilities for students in the context of the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047.
