The National Institute of Fashion Technology Mumbai hosted the formal Convocation 2023 at its campus in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest Sh. Dhruv Sitwala Billiards Player, and graced by the esteemed presence of Guest of Honour Smt. Archana Kochhar, a renowned Fashion Designer. This year, a total of 315 students (236 UG and 79 PG) from the Class of 2023 were awarded Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees from NIFT Mumbai, and 24 Convocation awards were conferred to the meritorious students.
Dr. Prof. Pavan Godiawala, Director of the NIFT Mumbai campus, presented the academic report, highlighting the accomplishments of students, faculty, and the academic achievements of NIFT Mumbai. Dr. Prof. Shinju Mahajan, Head of Academic Affairs administered the oath to the graduates.
NIFT is recognized as a premier institute for fashion education that continuously evolves itself to keep abreast of the changing market trends. Set up in 1986, NIFT is a pioneering institute of fashion education in the country, and it has been in the vanguard of providing a professional human resource to the textile, apparel, and fashion industry. NIFT is the first Institute in India to award its degrees in Fashion Education. The Degrees awarded by the Institute are recognized worldwide. The Institute confers Degrees to the graduates in the Convocation Ceremony marking the occasion.
Established in the year 1995 in the ‘Fashion Capital of India’, today NIFT Mumbai is spread over 10 acres of area in Navi Mumbai, has state-of-the-art facilities and world-class infrastructure, highly equipped labs, and machine rooms. The institute has highly trained faculties with strong industry connections. NIFT Mumbai runs two Postgraduate and six Undergraduate Programs. The PG Courses are Master of Design and Master of Fashion Management. The UG courses are Bachelor of Design in Accessory Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, Textile Design, and Bachelor of Fashion Technology in Apparel Production. The graduates of NIFT understand the nuances of fashion business spanning art, craft, technology, and strategy and acquire the skill sets that make them adapt to the growing needs of the industry.
The new curriculum provides students with a diverse range of courses, empowering them in a specific core specialization while also offering equal opportunities to explore parallel and lateral career pathways. Through a tailored combination of Majors, Deepening Specializations, Interdisciplinary Minors, and General Electives, students can explore a variety of career trajectories. The career pathways of the Class of 2023 students have been established in a range of both traditional and non-traditional domains. Some of these sectors include start-ups, design studios, NGOs, information technology, edutainment, export houses, omnichannel retail, digital marketing, e-commerce, additive manufacturing, home décor, manufacturing houses, design research, business analytics, luxury brands, telecommunications, trend analysis, UI/UX, and more.
All graduating students were congratulated by Dr. Prof. Pavan Godiawala, Director of the NIFT Mumbai campus, who also expressed appreciation for the pivotal role played by parents and guardians. Dreams were collectively woven, and the parents witnessed their children unfolding the stories of their successes.
Guest of Honour Smt. Archana Kochhar Inspires Graduates to Embrace the Digital Era in the Fashion Industry. She highlighted the significance of entering the fashion industry in the digital age, emphasizing the boundless opportunities that await them. Smt. Archana Kochhar encouraged the graduating class, stating, “Your success in the fashion industry will be shaped by your attitude. Cultivate an attitude filled with gratitude and humility. It is your attitude that will propel you forward in life.” In an era where the fashion landscape is evolving rapidly with digital advancements, Smt. Archana Kochhar underscored the importance of adapting to change and leveraging the limitless possibilities that the digital world offers. She motivated the graduates to approach their careers with a positive and grateful mindset, emphasizing that their attitude will play a pivotal role in their journey toward success.
In a motivating address Chief Guest Sh. Dhruv Sitwala emphasized the importance of the mantra “believe in yourself” for the graduating students. As they embark on their journey into the real world, he highlights the significance of their conscience as a guiding teacher that will shape the path they choose. Sh. Dhruv Sitwala drew parallels between the experiences of sportsmen, who navigate through contrasting emotions such as success and defeat, joy and sorrow, and happiness and disappointment. He underscored the key to overcoming these challenges: unwavering determination until the goals are achieved. Encouraging graduates to keep things simple and focus on what truly matters, he advised them to develop positive energy and steer clear of excessive gadget use.
