FDDI, Rohtak, hosted the mega event “SAMVAAD – Industry Academia Conclave (Where Industry Meets Innovations)” on 4th October 2025. The conclave was inaugurated by Shri Narbir Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana, in the presence of Mr. Vivek Sharma, IRS, Managing Director (MD), FDDI; Ms. Sarita Duhan, Executive Director (ED), FDDI Rohtak; Mr. Vipin Seth, Director, Versatile Group; Mr. Deepak Manchanda, Owner, Top Lasts; Mr. Sanjay Gupta, President – IFCOMA and Mr. Subhash Jagga, President, Bahadurgarh Footwear Association.
The Hon’ble Minister inaugurated the newly established Footwear Design Courses and Visual Merchandising (VM) Lab, accompanied by Mr. Vivek Sharma and Ms. Sarita Duhan. Ms. Duhan briefed the dignitaries on the institute’s academic initiatives, highlighting that the curriculum is designed to impart cutting-edge, industry-relevant skills aligned with emerging technologies. She also emphasized the campus’s efforts in promoting Khadi under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, with students showcasing Khadi-based footwear and apparel during a fashion show.
Commending these initiatives, the Hon’ble Minister appreciated the creative use of Khadi and remarked that “entrepreneurship is pivotal to a nation’s progress.” Mr. Vivek Sharma, IRS, MD, FDDI, lauded the newly introduced programs for strengthening industry collaboration and enhancing students’ global competitiveness.
The conclave featured a series of engaging panel discussions with principals, industry experts, and students.
The Principals’ Panel, on “Importance of Design Thinking and Awareness in School Curriculum,” saw educationists including Dr. Sunita Kaushik, Mr. S.S. Shekhawat, Ms. Riswant Kaur, Ms. Ritu, Ms. Tanvi Phatianiya, and Mr. Rajiv advocate integrating design thinking into early education to foster creativity and problem-solving.
The Industry Panel, on “Industry Pain Points and the Role of Industry-Academia Collaboration,” brought together experts like Mr. Shammi Bansal (Liberty Shoes Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Deepak Manchanda (Top Lasts), Mr. Vipin Seth (Versatile Group), and Mr. Pardeep Aggarwal (Classic Group), who emphasized the need for closer partnerships to bridge skill gaps and promote technological advancement.
The Student Panel, themed “Emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Footwear and Fashion Industry),” highlighted how AI is revolutionizing design, production, and customer experiences.
The conclave concluded with a cultural and fashion showcase, where students from FDDI Rohtak and Noida presented themed collections — “Sutra” (Khadi dresses) and “Parampra” (Indo-Western fusion) — along with an innovative footwear segment titled “Swadeshi Chal,” featuring Khadi-based designs and vibrant sneakers. A soulful patriotic performance by students from SRS School added to the evening’s vibrancy.
Distinguished alumni of FDDI Rohtak were felicitated by the MD, FDDI, for their remarkable contributions to the industry. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Ms. Sarita Duhan, ED, FDDI Rohtak, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, industry leaders, academicians, media representatives, and students for making SAMVAAD 2025 a grand success.
