News from NICO | Under 25 Nitte DU Summit 2025

The Under 25 Nitte DU Summit 2025, held on 25th October 2025 at the K S Hegde Auditorium and led by Festival Directors Yases Smith and Shria S, brought together students, creators, artists and performers for a day of inspiration, learning and entertainment.

The event celebrated student creativity while fostering meaningful engagement and collaboration. The summit featured performances by winners of the Nitte DU Under 25 Open Mic, celebrating emerging talent and creativity. Comedian Arvind Sunder brought laughter to the audience with his stand-up act, while Sharanya Nambiar and Andre Borges shared insights on content creation, creativity and the digital landscape. Koustubh Kulkarni, Head of Community at Under 25, encouraged students to embrace opportunities for growth and collaboration. The event concluded with a captivating musical performance by Akash Mathpal, leaving the audience inspired and entertained. A key highlight of the event was Nitte Deemed to be University receiving the Under 25 Campus Award for Outstanding Institutional Support, recognizing its continued commitment to student engagement and support for Under 25 initiatives.

News from NICO | Casting Call Open House Conducted at NICO

The Theatre Club and Placement Cell of Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO), in collaboration with Bahiranga Sinikoota Casting Agency, successfully organized a “Casting Call Open House” on 8th May 2026, at the University Auditorium, Paneer Campus. The event was conducted to provide aspiring actors and performers with an opportunity to explore casting opportunities in Tulu and Kannada films, advertisements and web series.

The open casting call witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 20 participants from different age groups and backgrounds. The auditions were open to individuals between 10 and 60 years of age, creating an inclusive platform for fresh talent as well as experienced performers. Participants showcased their acting skills through self-introductions, dialogue delivery, expressions and improvisation exercises conducted by the casting team.

Representatives from Bahiranga Sinikoota interacted with the participants, offering guidance on acting techniques, audition preparation and opportunities available in the regional entertainment industry. The event also helped students gain practical exposure to the professional casting process and understand industry expectations.

News from NICO | A Celebration of Talent and Tradition

Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO) successfully organized its much-anticipated Cultural Day 2026 on 30th April 2026 at the University Auditorium, Paneer. The event brought together students and faculty in a vibrant celebration of art, talent and cultural diversity.

The program featured a variety of engaging activities, including group dance performances, singing competitions, quiz contests and a mock press event. Each segment provided students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity, confidence and teamwork. The colorful performances and enthusiastic participation created an energetic and festive atmosphere.

The event left the participants and audience with memorable experiences and a renewed appreciation for cultural expression within the academic community.

News from NICO | Bidding Adieu to the Graduating Batch

Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO) organised a Farewell Party on 30th April 2026 at in the University Auditorium, Paneer to bid a heartfelt goodbye to its outgoing students. The event was a memorable occasion filled with emotions, celebration and reflection on the journey shared by students and faculty.

The program brought together students, staff and faculty members to celebrate the achievements and experiences of the graduating batch. The atmosphere was warm and nostalgic, as juniors expressed their appreciation through performances, speeches and creative presentations. The outgoing students also shared their memories, gratitude and aspirations, making the event deeply personal and meaningful.

News from NICO | Hosa Belaku: Short Film Release and Screening at NICO

Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO) hosted the film release event of Hosa Belaku on 30th April 2026, bringing together students, faculty and film enthusiasts to celebrate a creative milestone. The event showcased the culmination of collaborative efforts by aspiring filmmakers, highlighting the institute’s commitment to nurturing storytelling and cinematic expression.

Hosa Belaku, directed by Ajay, reflects a blend of artistic vision and technical finesse. The film’s poster, depicting a serene beach scene with a child and an adult gazing towards the horizon, symbolically captures themes of hope, renewal and emotional connection. The project involved contributions from a dedicated team, including Srinivas Bhat (DOP), Sujan Shetty (Associate Director) and Dishan D’Souza (Assistant Editor), along with a talented cast and crew.

The release function served as a platform to appreciate student creativity and practical learning experiences in filmmaking. Dr. Moulya Baladi, Head, NICO, along with staff and students, graced the occasion, encouraging young creators to pursue meaningful narratives through visual media. Prakash K, Assistant Professor was the coordinator of this event.

The event was not just a film release but a celebration of teamwork, innovation and the transformative power of cinema in education. 

Event at NICO

 

News from NICO | Mise en Scène Photography Exhibition showcases Creative Vision of First-Year Students

Nitte Institute of Communication, a constituent college of Nitte University, organised Mise en Scène, a photography exhibition featuring works by first-year BA students, at the University Auditorium, Paneer Campus. The exhibition displayed over 125 photographs through a thoughtfully designed installation across the quadrangle using tack boards, transforming the space into a vibrant open-air gallery. The initiative formed part of an experiential learning exercise aimed at strengthening students’ practical skills in photography and visual storytelling.

The program began with the unveiling of the Mise en Scène playbook prepared by students, documenting their creative journey and behind-the-scenes processes. The exhibition was inaugurated by commercial photographer Mr. Kishan M. Rao.

Completed through a month-long collaborative effort, the exhibition reflected students’ technical proficiency, teamwork and creative engagement under the guidance of the faculty coordinator Mr. Prajwal N R.

News from NICO | NICO Literary Club organizes a Talk on Languages

The Literary Club of Nitte Institute of Communication successfully organized a workshop titled “Hyphen Connect: Speaking Many Tongues” on 15th April 2026 in the Conference Room, NICO. Conducted in association with Hyphen Publishers, the workshop aimed to explore multilingual expression, creativity and the evolving landscape of publishing.

The session featured insightful contributions from resource persons, Ms. Deepa Ganesh, an accomplished author & editor and Ms. Soumya Kulkarni, a theatre and film artist with expertise in marketing. They engaged participants through discussions on language, storytelling and opportunities in contemporary publishing.

Students actively participated, gaining valuable perspectives on writing across languages and mediums. The workshop fostered creativity, critical thinking and an appreciation for linguistic diversity.

Coordinated by Dr. Tapaswi HM and Dr. Pranamya Bhat, the event was a meaningful initiative that enriched students’ literary and professional understanding.

News from NICO | NICO hosts 7th Edition of Chocolate Street at Fiza by Nexus

Nitte Institute of Communication hosted the 7th edition of NICO’s Chocolate Street on 11th & 12th April 2026, at Fiza by Nexus, Mangaluru. Powered by Campco, with Daijiworld as the media partner, the event was organized by third-year BA students under faculty coordinator Mr. Prakash K, with Haleema Shiza B and Rahul V B as student coordinators.

The festival was inaugurated by Chief Guest Mr. Mayoor Shetty, Founder of Solmelu Chocolate, and Guest of Honour Dr. Moulya Baladi, Head, NICO. The mascot “Benny” added vibrancy to the celebration.

Fifteen bakers showcased creative chocolate delicacies alongside games, activities and open mic performances. A lucky draw was conducted on both days. Nearly 6000 participants attended the event in total.

Awards included Creamy Confection (Flavour Fusion), Leche & Layers (It Chocolate), Sugarlicious (Chocolate Showstopper) and Edi B (Artistic & Sustainable Impeccability). Bake Cart won the Crowd Favourite award, while Golden Ring Donuts earned the title of Mr. & Ms. Chocolate Street 2026.

News from NICO | Annual Athletic Meet 2026

The Annual Athletic Meet of Nitte Institute of Communication was held on 28th March 2026 at Nitte Grounds, Deralakatte bringing together more than 90 students and faculty members in a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship and teamwork. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mr. Shashi Kumar Shetty, NSSCoordinator, Nitte DU, who symbolically marked the opening with a shot put throw. In his address, he emphasized the importance of physical fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle among youth. The meet featured several track and field events, encouraging enthusiastic participation and competitive spirit. The prize distribution ceremony was held on 30th March 2026, where Red House emerged as champions and Green House secured the runners-up position, marking a memorable conclusion to the event.

Mr. Prajwal N R was the staff coordinator of this event.

News from NICO | NICO declared Overall Champions at Jhenkar 2026

Students of the Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO) emerged as the Overall Champions at Jhenkar 2026, the intercollegiate fest hosted by SDM College, Ujire on 27th March 2026.

NICO secured the first place in the Ice Breaker event with a dynamic team comprising Ajay, Srinivas, Suujan, Kushi, Yashas, Adithya, Nehal, Neel, Isita and Dishan.

The Fashion Walk team, featuring Ridha, Isita, Thrusha, Tanishka, Reva and Jyothika also clinched the first place with an impressive and stylish performance.

Ajay further added to the glory by winning the title of Mr. Jhenkar. Arham secured the first place in the Mock Press event.

Our students showcased exceptional talent, creativity and teamwork across multiple events, making the institution proud.

News from NICO | Study Tour to Bangalore

NICO organized a study tour to Bangalore for the III & IV year students from 23rd to 26th March 2026. A total of 17 students participated in the tour, accompanied by HoD Dr. Moulya B and faculty Mr. Prakash K & Dr. Pranamya Bhat.

During the visit, students explored the Kanteerava Studio and TV9 Studio, where they gained practical insights into television production, news operations and non-fiction content creation. The tour also included a visit to Vidhana Soudha, where students attended a live session addressed by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, providing them exposure to real-time governance communication.

In addition to academic learning, students were taken to Wonderla Amusement Park for recreation and team bonding. The study tour offered valuable experiential learning opportunities and enhanced the students’ understanding of media production processes and industry practices.

News from NICO | Healthy You, Healthy Earth

A 20-day awareness initiative titled “Healthy You, Healthy Earth”, aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles, was inaugurated on 31st March 2026. The program was organised by the Ni-Eco Club, NICO in association with the NSS Units of NICO & NIA, along with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Mangalore, as part of activities leading up to Earth Day. Ms. Anjali Rai, Research Scholar at NICO coordinated the formal program.

The campaign emphasises the strong connection between personal well-being and environmental health, encouraging responsible behaviour among students and the wider community. As part of the initiative, strict measures have been implemented to ensure that no junk food or single-use plastic is brought onto the campus during the 20-day period. A series of competitions based on the campaign theme will also be conducted to actively engage students.

An awareness talk on “Responsible Plastic Use: What to Use? What to Misuse?” was delivered by Dr. Maheshwari Singh, Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Mangalore. Dr. Singh highlighted the hazards associated with excessive plastic use and improper disposal practices.

Presiding over the function, Dr. Moulya Baladi, HoD, NICO, urged students to actively participate in the campaign and adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives. Dr. Tapaswi H.M., NSS Coordinator of NICO and Mr. Anil Devadiga, NSS Coordinator of NIA, were present on the occasion.

News from NICO | Value-added course on “Theatre Makeup”

Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO) conducted a value-added course on “Theatre Makeup” for II year BA Media & Communication students from 17th to 19th March 2026. The 18-hour program was led by Mr. Ujwal UV, Founder of Kalabhi, Mangalore.

On Day One, he introduced the concept & history of makeup, followed by practical sessions on preparing & applying foundation using zinc powders and coconut oil. Students also explored stylized makeup in Yakshagana and Kathakali. On Day Two, students analyzed characters from “Toba Tek Singh” and “Shraddha” to understand psychological aspects influencing makeup design. They learned to create facial hair using crepe hair and performed short improvisations. On the final day, students rehearsed with lighting, participated in a ramp walk and presented performances before an audience. The course concluded with feedback from students and a vote of thanks by Dr. Tapaswi HM.

News from NICO | Workshop on Indian Knowledge System and Media Leadership

Nitte Institute of Communication, in association with the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), conducted a workshop titled "How do we build resilient media leadership for disruptive times? Applying nuggets of wisdom from the 'Desi' model" on 14th March 2026 at the Staff Development Centre Seminar Hall.

The workshop was facilitated by Prof. (Dr) Sudhir Raj K, Director, Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems at Nitte University. In his presentation, Prof. Sudhir emphasized the relevance of ancient Indian knowledge, citing scriptures from the Bhagavad Gita. He highlighted that the Gita teaches essential values such as humility, modesty and a pro-people approach. Dr. Nesara Kadanakuppe, Convener, Institute’s Innovation Council (IIC), Nitte DU, coordinated the event. Dr. Moulya B, Head, Nitte Institute of Communication, introduced the resource person. The workshop was attended by students, faculty members and research scholars of the institute. Deemed to be University.

News from NICO | NICO students win Overall Champions title at NUChrome 2026

Students of the Nitte Institute of Communication emerged as the Overall Champions at NUChrome 2026, the intercollegiate cultural fest organized by the Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research (NUCSER). The event was held on 14th March 2026 at NUCSER, Paneer campus and witnessed participation from nearly 20 colleges, making the competition highly vibrant and competitive.

Demonstrating exceptional talent across multiple categories, NICO students secured top positions in several events. The team won the First Place in Short Film, First Place in Murder Mystery and First Place in Freestyle Solo Dance, performed by Ajay Pandi. In the Singing competition, Brian, Ayesha and Dale secured the First Place, showcasing outstanding musical talent. The students also earned the Second Place in Variety and Third Place in Mock Press, where Arham represented the institute.

With remarkable performances across disciplines, NICO’s achievements highlighted the institute’s strong creative & performing arts culture, ultimately securing the Overall Champions Trophy at NUChrome 2026.

News from NICO | Women’s Day Celebration and Gender Club (PRISM) Inauguration

Nitte Institute of Communication celebrated International Women’s Day with enthusiasm while also inaugurating the institute’s Gender Club, PRISM on 9th March 2026. The event aimed to recognize the contributions of women and to encourage discussions on gender awareness within the campus community.

The newly launched Gender Club, PRISM, carries the motto: “Promoting awareness, equity, and inclusivity to create a respectful and supportive space for all genders.” The Club seeks to initiate conversations, activities and initiatives that foster gender sensitivity and equality among students.

The celebration highlighted the strength and achievements of women through engaging speeches that reflected on the importance of empowerment, respect and equal opportunities. Students actively participated in various competitions and fun games organized as part of the event, making the celebration lively and interactive.

The event was organized by the staff coordinator Dr. Pranamya Bhat along with research scholars Ms. Sanrita Madtha and Mr. Kashyap.

News from NICO | Samudaya Arogya Arivu Abhiyana 2026

A community awareness program titled, Samudaya Arogya Arivu Abhiyana 2026 was organized at the Press Club, Ullal, by the Karnataka State Working Journalists Association, Ullala Taluk in collaboration with Jana-Shikshana Trust on 11th March 2026 with the objective of spreading awareness about plastic waste management, environmental protection and the importance of maintaining a clean city. The event brought together community members, activists and representatives from educational institutions to discuss sustainable practices and responsible waste disposal. Dr. Moulya Baladi, HoD and Mr. Prakash K, Asst. Professor from Nitte Institute of Communication represented Nitte University.

The program focused on the growing problem of plastic pollution and improper waste management, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect the environment. Speakers highlighted the harmful effects of plastic waste on ecosystems and encouraged citizens to adopt eco-friendly alternatives, reduce plastic usage and actively participate in keeping public spaces clean. The initiative also stressed the importance of community participation in building a clean and sustainable city.