Under the Convergence of Institutes, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ‘Institutional Collaboration’ was signed between Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), Patna and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Patna on 9th September 2023 for institutional collaboration in education, research outreach programmes and faculty exchange.
The primary objective of this collaboration is to promote collective and collative teaching and research collaboration involving faculty members and students at FDDI Patna and at NIFT Patna to ensure teaching and research of highest standard, carry out joint academic and research programmes, as well as collaborative research projects.
The convergence of the five institutes under the Ministry of Textiles and Commerce and Industry was initiated in the month of November 2022. The five institutes are FDDI, IIFT, IIP, NID and NIFT.
On behalf of FDDI, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, Center Incharge, FDDI-Patna campus and Prof. Colonel Rahul Sharma, Director, NIFT-Patna signed the MoU which is based on the strength of two premier Institutes of the country.
The signing ceremony took place at the FDDI-Patna campus wherein Mr. Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Secretary FDDI and other prominent figures from both the institutions were present.
Sharing the details, Mr. Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Secretary-FDDI said “The MoU between FDDI, Patna and NIFT, Patna will facilitate cooperation between both the Institutes that eventually will promote professional growth in design and management, besides promoting cross disciplinary learning.”
“This strategic collaboration provides an excellent fit of strategy for developing innovative ideas & excellence in the area of collaborative programmes that are internationally and nationally recognized”, added Mr. Sinha.
The MoU would also facilitate the exchange of students, scholars, and faculty in subjects of footwear, fashion retail and leather goods. Both the institutes have agreed to participate and jointly organize international conference, meetings, submit research proposals, and provide international training to students and scholars.
Elaborating the details, Prof Conolel Rahul Sharma, Director, NIFT-Patna said, “It is a historic occasion as it opens up a whole new vista of opportunities for both institutes. In this era of exponential development, opportunities such as these are the stairs that can elevate the overall quality of education within our country and subsequently provide students with better opportunities.
The amalgamation of the design, innovation & technological experience of NIFT with FDDI would be a renaissance in the production of high end fashionable products for which there is ever-increasing demand, not only within the country, but, in the international market too.