NIFT 17th Convocation

[tab:Feed]The 17th Convocation of National Institute of Fashion Technology was held on 27th December, 2011 at Sirifort Auditorium, New Delhi. In an impressive ceremony the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma awarded Degrees to the graduating students of the class of 2011. The distinguished members from Board of Governors, NIFT, leaders from the Indian fashion industry and faculty members of NIFT were also a part of this momentous occasion. A total of 1492 students has been graduated in 2011 from all 9 centers of NIFT across the India
The Director General also appraised the gathering that over the last few years NIFT has undertaken strategic steps to forge international linkages with International schools of repute. Currently, NIFT has over 30 MOUs with foreign fashion schools for student & faculty exchange, conferences, seminars and exhibitions. In 2011, existing MoUs have been reviewed. 4 new ones have been signed with international institutes like Fashion Institute of Technology, New York; BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangladesh; University of Wolverhampton, UK and Royal Academy of Arts, the Hague. NIFT has also entered into a MoU with the Textile Committee to increase the knowledge base of its faculty, students and research scholars. As part of this agreement, facilities like library, publications, laboratories etc are made available by the Textile Committee to NIFT for research purposes. Ms.Monika S. Garg, IAS, Director General, NIFT, while presenting the annual Academic Report, recounted the journey of NIFT through expansion, extension and benchmarking in fashion education.
The Director General of NIFT elaborated that NIFT initiated the exercise of having a meaningful alliance with FIT, New York which involved a detailed study of different undergraduate courses of both institutes. The compatibility of the curriculum of NIFT Bachelor’s Degree (3rd year programmes) with the one year Associate Degree programme of FIT was scrutinized in detail which revealed compatibility in the areas of Fashion Design, Textile Design, Fashion Communication, Accessory Design and Leather Design. As a result of this initiative, a landmark achievement and the first of its kind at NIFT i.e. Dual Degree (UG Programmes) has been crystallised.
As per NIFT policy after completion of 4 years the complete curriculum is reviewed incorporating views from industry and alumni. Accordingly, an elaborate and intensive exercise of peer and industry review of the curriculum of their respective departments was carried out by the Chairpersons in January, 2011. Two day workshops were organized for each discipline in NIFT Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar, in which peer institutes, industry members, NIFT alumni and faculty participated. The focus was on dynamic and emerging needs of the industry and future trends. The new curriculum has been implemented w.e.f. July 2011 onwards.
Built into the academic curriculum are internship, industry visits, outbound programmes as well as real life projects, seminars and interactions which provide opportunities for students to appreciate and understand the working of the industry. The institute also undertakes research and consultancy projects for the industry with its expertise in Design, Management and Technology at strategic and operational levels. The students get the opportunity to work in stimulating environment with industry projects focusing on integrative abilities that use skills ranging from technical expertise to creative exposure.
As an attempt to inculcate social awareness, the Craft Cluster Project has been woven into the Academic Calendar. Understanding the social responsibility towards this sector, the NIFT students continue to contribute to the clusters through design intervention and product diversification. Highlighting NIFT’s contributions to the development of fashion education and industry in India, the Director General further added that NIFT takes pride in its pioneering role, not only in sensitizing the environment but also professionalizing in making the industry more professional and in putting India on the centre stage of world fashion.
In all, 1492 graduates of from ten streams of study and from nine Centers of NIFT were awarded Degrees. Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma delivered the convocation address. The Hon’ble Minister called upon the students to uphold the tradition of excellence inculcated in NIFT while they carved out brilliant careers for themselves in their chosen fields.
Shri Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, Board of Governors of NIFT addressed the gathering and congratulated the graduating students.Sr. Prof.Banhi Jha, Dean (Academic) presented the Vote of Thanks.
By: S Sarvesh

[tab:Photo Gallery] tab:END]