The government is currently exploring the feasibility of establishing an overseas campus for the esteemed National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). With 18 existing campuses in India, the government is actively engaged in seeking partnerships with renowned universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Finland, Sweden, and Nepal. Furthermore, discussions are underway with an institute in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Officials, who have chosen to remain anonymous, have disclosed that the Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with other government departments, is diligently working towards elevating NIFT to the status of an internationally renowned educational institute. The Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Commerce, under the distinguished leadership of Minister Piyush Goyal, are jointly coordinating efforts to realize this ambitious goal.
Currently, NIFT boasts 18 campuses and is home to 13,698 students and 680 faculty members. The potential establishment of a 19th campus in Varanasi later this year follows a proposal by the Ministry of Textiles in December 2015 for a NIFT extension center in Varanasi. This move is intended to offer customized, short-term continuing education programs to support local textiles units.
In line with its global aspirations, NIFT has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with universities in Mauritius, the UK, Bangladesh, and Nepal to facilitate student exchange programs, short-term courses, and potentially dual degree arrangements. Furthermore, during the Bharat TEX 2024 in February, NIFT entered into approximately two dozen MoUs with various international institutions.
While discussions regarding overseas campuses are ongoing at the government level, NIFT is focused on academic collaborations. According to Tanu Kashyap, Director General of NIFT, these collaborations will encompass activities such as student and faculty exchange, joint research, and other academic initiatives.
NIFT has already established a dual degree program with the esteemed Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in the USA and is actively pursuing new partnerships with institutions in New Zealand, Italy, and the United Kingdom. These endeavors are geared towards offering students international exposure, enabling them to gain insights into diverse cultures, traditions, crafts, and industries, while also fostering robust global networks.
The 18 existing campuses of NIFT are strategically located across various cities in India, including Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Patna, and Srinagar.
The potential decision to launch an overseas campus for NIFT underscores the government’s steadfast commitment to enhancing the institute’s global footprint and providing its students with invaluable international exposure and opportunities.
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