NIFT Kerala campus in two years

The National Institute of Fashion Technology's (NIFT) first campus in Kerala, proposed to be built on an investment of around Rs 60 crore at Morazha, in Kannur, will be up and running in two years' time.

Talking to Business Standard, J Krishnakumar, managing director, Kinfra Apparel Park, said the new campus would come up on a state government-owned 10-acre land to be provided free of cost to the institute.

"A team of officials, led by NIFT director Kalpana Swami visited the site and held talks with the Kerala minister for industries Elamaram Kareem recently. The minister has offered to make all arrangements to enable the institute to commence classes from the next academic year," he said.

The feasibility report from NIFT is expected in a few days. "The classes, which would begin by the start of the next academic year, will be held at a temporary venue, at the space provided by the Institute of Handloom Technology at Kannur," he pointed out.

The opening of the NIFT centre in Kannur is expected to provide the much-needed boost to the development of the textile sector in north Kerala.

The state government will chip in by investing a share of the money required for the infrastructure to provide all basic facilities for the project. The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) will be the nodal agency for the establishment of the centre.

The NIFT-Kerala government delegation also held discussions with the representatives of Kerala Textiles Exporters Association, North Malabar Chamber of Commerce, Handloom Cooperative Society and handloom textiles businessmen.

Initially, the centre would offer four courses. The number will be increased once the permanent campus is in place.