Strike a pose in the world of fashion

National Institute of Fashion Technology offers diversified courses enhanced to shape students into trendsetters of tomorrow

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), a leader in fashion education, was set up in 1986 under the aegis of the Indian government's Ministry of Textiles. It is seen as a beacon of serious critical engagement and a key enabler in developing competent professionals for the industry.
The institute has provided a firm foundation in fashion education in the domains of design, management and technology. "Most stalwarts in the fashion industry would have had something or the other to do with NIFT," says Sarada Muraleedharan, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and Director-General, NIFT.

What started off as an institution in fashion technology has diversified today and taken up specific subjects, including fashion, knitwear, textiles and leather design, besides offering courses in upcoming areas such as fashion communication and management.
"We have six undergraduate courses in fashion design, a bachelor's in fashion technology and three postgraduate courses in fashion management studies, fashion technology and design," adds Muraleedharan. In 2006, NIFT became a statutory institute - with the President of India as a visitor - and is empowered to conduct PhD programmes.
The Director-General points out that the institute aims to ensure that its brand equity is not only retained, but also its visibility enhanced. "We hope to attract the best talent, both in India and abroad," she says.

The head of the premier fashion institute in India notes that international exchange with other institutions is extremely critical for someone working in the fashion domain. "We are also trying to bring the ethos of the legacy of Indian tradition, as far as designs and textiles are concerned, into the knowledge domain of the world," she adds.
Muraleedharan says the NIFT aims to enhance the interface with other international institutions globally. "The world needs to know about us and we need to know about the world. This would also add value and edge to the capabilities and skills of our students."
The institute is already working at enhancing ties with other fashion institutes around the globe. It currently has student and faculty exchange programmes and participates in international competitions and seminars.
"We have had external faculty attend and teach our students, designers undertake workshops and a range of other activities," she points out. "We would like to deepen this engagement and increase the number of scholarships we provide so that more students can benefit."
NIFT also has a dual degree programme with the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. "We would like to expand these programmes, so our students can improve their career prospects," she adds.
According to the Director-General, the key USP for the fashion technology institute is that it places its focus beyond high-end fashion. "While we have an element of high-end fashion, we also seriously take up social responsibility," she points out.
Experts around the globe admire the wealth of the Indian textile tradition. Knowledge about the tradition has helped NIFT start initiatives and host regular training programmes and interfaces at workshops around the globe.
NIFT is also uniquely positioned with faculty that is nuanced in its understanding of crafts and traditions, besides contemporary usage. "Our collaboration with industry and the government is very good. Product development is set to be linked with entrepreneurial development so that we can become part of the Government's Startup India and Make in India programmes as well," she adds.
When asked about the interest of NRI students from the Gulf in its courses, Muraleedharan says that it provides a quota (of about five NRI students in each class of 30) at nine campuses across India. These include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Rae Bareilly and Srinagar. NRI undergraduates have to clear a SAT-I test, while those opting for post-graduate programmes have to clear either a GRE or GMAT programme.
"At NIFT, we have students from smaller towns and villages. We encourage good students and language should never be a barrier. We look for talent and aptitude," she adds.

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