It is official: NIFT gets statutory status

There is a feather in the cap of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). Not only did the institute receive statutory status, but has also managed to bag 22 projects with foreign institutes in the past six months.

"Globally, India is now considered a serious contender and the number of foreign linkages acquired in such a short span of time indicate this," said Gauri Kumar, director-general, NIFT.

Of the 22 collaborations, NIFT has already signed Memorandum of Understanding or has established strategic alliances with 15 international institutes and a formal agreement with others will be inked in the coming months.

The collaborating universities include: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology - Australia, Hogskolan Boras - Sweden which is a textile university, Birmingham Institute of Arts & Design - UK, University of Leeds - UK, Fashion Institute of Technology - US and Domus Academy - Italy.

Apart from the student exchange programme, NIFT plans to undertake joint research initiatives with the foreign institutes on varied aspects. NIFT is also encouraging students to take up internship in foreign institutes.

On its part, the government has passed National Institute of Fashion Technology Bill, 2006, to nurture and promote excellence in fashion technology. Having received the statutory status, the institute plans to expand its activities soon.

"Recognition by the government proves that fashion is serious business in the country. At present, we have seven centres across the country but we are identifying new regions where our centres could be established since we want to consolidate our national presence," said Kumar.

Building a new centre requires around 10 acres of land and an investment of Rs 29 crore, she added.

The institute is in the process of upgrading its equipment, laboratories, facilities and hostels in each of its centres and is planning to introduce an elective curriculum for students in the sixth and seventh semester.