National Institute Of Fashion Technology: Couture Goes Digital

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT) was set up by the Ministry of Textiles in 1986 to provide a platform for fashion education countrywide. NIFT was made a statutory insti­tute in 2006 by an Act of Parliament—the NIFT Act, 2006. As a pioneering institute in fashion education, NIFT has been integrating knowl­edge, academic freedom and creative thinking. It is the result of its persistent efforts that NIFT has been ranked No 9 among fashion institutes of the world. NIFT now has a pan-India presence with 17 campuses in different states. The institute offers four-year undergraduate programmes in seven disciplines, two-year postgraduate programmes in three fields and full-time and part-time doc­toral programmes for PhD scholars. In addition, diploma and certificate programmes of short duration are also offered on a regular basis for working professionals.

Academically, NIFT embraces a global approach by partnering with 30 leading inter­national fashion institutes and organisations. The institute also attracts a steady stream of in­ternational students. In addition to the student exchange programmes, NIFT's international and domestic linkages also facilitate processes whereby the faculty at NIFT participates in academic exchange programmes, international fairs, seminars, exhibitions, conferences and trade shows.

The curriculum offers multi-disciplinary learn­ing that prepares students for real-life challenges and allows them to carve out unique pathways for themselves. With changing times, the curriculum is updated with the latest trends as well as futuristic propositions by integrating across disciplines. The curriculum covers subjects with a strong digital imprint, such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Business Analytics, Internet of Things, Digital Embroidery, Laser & 3D Printing, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Experience Design. It also deals with specialised subjects such as Smart Jewellery, Smart Textiles, Ergonomic Design Environment, Fashion Think­ing, Sensory Design, Optitex for Virtual Prototyping, Surface Embellishment and Design Strategy. The curriculum incorporates internships, industry visits, outbound programmes as well as real-life projects, seminars and in­teractions that provide opportunities for students to understand the work­ings of the industry. Craft Cluster Ac­tivities are one of the most important parts of NIFT's curricula which fuse the Unique Craft Cluster Initiative programme of the Ministry of Tex­tiles with the academic programmes to sensitise the students about our rich craft heritage. Recently, NIFT has put special focus on the GI-registered crafts of India.

The institute's 35,000-plus alumni are working at various levels in more than 2,000 organisations across the world as brand managers, quality controllers, designers, fashion coor­dinators, merchandisers, production managers, marketing heads, etc.

NIFT has recently taken up some unique projects like Project India Size and VisioNXT. Project India Size intends to develop size charts on the lines of the US and UK sizes that are currently prevalent in the industry. The India Size would estab­lish size charts for Indian body types considering the topography and di­versity. The VisioNXT project is one of its kind with the "Trend Insight and Fashion Forecasting Lab" that will attempt to forecast India's fash­ion to suit future trends.

A multifarious approach and a global vision with a grass­roots connect have made NIFT a catalyst in the field of fashion education.