NEW DELHI: In a significant address at the National Institute of Fashion Technology’s (NIFT) joint convocation ceremony for the 2023-24 graduating batch, Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh highlighted the need for integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain into the institute’s curriculum. The event, which was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, brought together graduates from four NIFT campuses, Delhi, Raebareli, Kangra, and Panchkula.
Addressing the graduating students, Singh emphasized India’s journey toward becoming a “Viksit Bharat” or developed nation. He encouraged the young graduates to aim to be job creators rather than job seekers, urging them to consider entrepreneurship and startup ventures within the next four to five years. Singh outlined a forward-looking vision for India’s textile and fashion sector, positioning it at the forefront of the global industry. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Textiles, Singh reiterated the necessity for modernizing NIFT’s syllabus, making a strong case for introducing AI and blockchain across all 19 campuses to enhance students’ skills and keep pace with global trends.
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“NIFT students can truly become leaders in India’s fashion and textile sector. With these technologies embedded in their curriculum, they’ll be equipped to drive future innovation and impact,” Singh said.
The ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries including Rachna Shah, Secretary of Textiles; Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary of Textiles; and Tanu Kashyap, Director General of NIFT, celebrated the accomplishments of 810 graduates across various undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs in design, management, and technology. Awards were presented in three categories: Best Academic Performance, Extraordinary Service, and Student of the Year.
NIFT, founded in 1986, has consistently ranked as one of India’s premier institutions in fashion education and holds a top-10 global ranking among fashion schools, according to CEO World Magazine 2024. Its graduates, over 80 percent of whom were successfully placed this year, have earned lucrative positions, with the highest annual package reaching Rs 18 lakh. NIFT’s various campuses have also distinguished themselves in the global fashion arena.
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NIFT Delhi, the institution’s flagship campus, has contributed designs for the Indian Army, Supreme Court, and Rashtrapati Bhawan. Students from NIFT Raebareli have won several international accolades, including awards at New Zealand’s prestigious World of Wearable Art, and were recognized for their creativity at a government-sponsored packaging design contest. NIFT Kangra has taken an eco-conscious approach, actively promoting sustainable fashion through partnerships with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Fashion Revolution initiative “Mend in Public.”
Singh’s call to integrate cutting-edge technology into fashion education signals a strategic move to align NIFT’s training with industry demands, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to lead the sector’s innovation-driven future.