Learning often happens inside classrooms, studios, and lecture halls. At MAHE Dubai's Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA), learning recently took place beneath the night sky.
As part of the ongoing MILA Unlocked: Media Edition summer series, MAHE Dubai successfully conducted its second workshop focused on astrophotography, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of media, storytelling, creativity, and technology.
The workshop was led by renowned photographer Subodh Shetty in collaboration with Nikon Middle East & Africa (MEA) and attracted participants from both within and beyond the MAHE Dubai community. Designed as a hands-on experience, the session allowed aspiring media students and photography enthusiasts to move beyond theory and engage directly with the art and technical aspects of capturing the night sky.
Participants learned the fundamentals of astrophotography, including camera settings, composition techniques, low-light photography, and the challenges involved in photographing celestial objects. Under expert guidance, attendees gained practical experience while exploring how visual storytelling can be used to create compelling images in unique environments.
The astrophotography workshop forms part of MILA Unlocked: Media Edition, a four-session summer series designed to give prospective students an authentic introduction to the BA Media & Communication program at MAHE Dubai. Rather than serving as a conventional preview, the workshops immerse participants in the kind of experiential learning, creative exploration, and industry exposure that students can expect throughout their academic journey.
By engaging directly with media professionals, industry tools, and real-world projects, participants gain valuable insight into the diverse opportunities available within the fields of media, communication, content creation, photography, and digital storytelling.
The initiative reflects MAHE Dubai's commitment to providing experiential and industry-connected learning opportunities that help students discover their interests, develop practical skills, and make informed decisions about their academic and career pathways.
Through workshops such as astrophotography, MILA continues to demonstrate that meaningful media education extends beyond traditional classroom settings. Whether creating content, telling stories, or exploring new creative perspectives, students learn best by doing—and it is this hands-on approach that remains at the heart of the BA Media & Communication experience at MAHE Dubai.
As the MILA Unlocked series continues, participants can look forward to more engaging workshops designed to showcase the dynamic and evolving world of media and communication.
