Visiting Professor at the University at Buffalo, USA

Professor Manish Arora was invited as a Visiting Professor at the University at Buffalo (UB), State University of New York, USA, where he taught a specialized course titled “Varanasi: Indian Culture.”

During his tenure from January to May, Professor Arora conducted an intensive academic program that introduced international students to the rich cultural, artistic, historical, and spiritual heritage of Varanasi. The course included lectures, discussions, presentations, research assignments, and critical analyses of selected readings on Indian culture and society.

Students enrolled in the course earned academic credits while engaging with diverse aspects of Indian traditions, visual culture, religious practices, and contemporary social contexts. Through structured coursework, presentations, essays, and scholarly discussions, the program fostered a deeper understanding of India’s cultural landscape among international learners.

In addition to teaching, Professor Arora actively participated in academic and cultural activities across the university. He delivered a special presentation on the Shakti Deities of Varanasi for the Asian Studies Program’s “Asian at Noon” forum and curated exhibitions showcasing his artwork as well as selected works by his students at the university’s Center for the Arts.

Professor Arora also collaborated with faculty members, attended professional development workshops, and utilized the extensive research resources available through the University at Buffalo libraries. These activities contributed significantly to his ongoing research in South Asian visual culture, global art practices, design communication, and advertising studies.

This international academic engagement strengthened cultural exchange between India and the United States while promoting a deeper appreciation of Indian art, heritage, and scholarship on a global platform.