Bareilly International University (BIU) formally launched its Faculty of Fine Arts on August 19, 2026, marking a major step in bringing industry-standard creative education to Bareilly. Developed in collaboration with IIP Academy, New Delhi, the new faculty introduces diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Film Making and Photography, alongside plans to expand into painting, print making and applied arts.
The inauguration was held in the presence of Dr. Keshav Agrawal (Chancellor, BIU), Dr. Ashok Agrawal (Pro Chancellor, BIU), Bareilly Mayor Dr. Umesh Gautam, Rajesh Goyal (Founder Director, IIP Academy) and Dr. Arjun Agrawal (Director), along with senior faculty and invited guests.
Speaking at the event, IIP Academy Founder Director Rajesh Goyal said the Faculty of Fine Arts has been built with globally benchmarked infrastructure spanning photography, film making and other visual art disciplines, with plans to bring in specialised faculty from countries such as Germany and Australia. He added that a new Incubation Centre has also been launched at BIU to support students in turning their creative and entrepreneurial ideas into ventures.
National Photography Exhibition — “200 Years of Light”
Alongside the inauguration, BIU hosted a National Photography Exhibition titled “200 Years of Light”, organised in partnership with IIP Academy and the Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Art). The exhibition brought together the work of 50 prominent photographers from across the country, showcasing 76 photographs and around 110 prints that trace two centuries of Indian life, culture, society and tradition through the camera lens.
Participating photographers travelled from cities including Varanasi, Nashik, Patna, Pune, Delhi and Punjab to be part of the show. Seven photographers were felicitated with certificates of appreciation for their contribution to the exhibition. Entry to the exhibition was free and open to the public.
University representatives noted that the faculty aims to use photography as a medium to promote creative expression and connect art with culture, giving students in Bareilly access to opportunities and mentorship that were previously concentrated in larger cities.
Looking Ahead
With the launch of the Faculty of Fine Arts, BIU becomes one of the few universities in the region offering structured, industry-linked education in film making and photography. The university says the initiative is part of a broader push to strengthen its creative and media education offerings, alongside its existing academic programmes.
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