Fashion institute branch in Himachal to start doctorate degrees

KANGRA - The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) branch in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district will award doctorate degrees in fashion designing, Union Minister of Textiles Thiru Dayanidhi Maran said here Wednesday.

“Kangra’s Centre for Apparel and Textile Studies would be first of its own kind in the country to offer doctorate degrees in fashion designing, fashion communication, accessory design, textile design and fashion technology,” Maran told reporters while inaugurating the NIFT branch at Chheb village near this town.

On setting up more NIFT branches in the country, Maran said: “The central government is considering to set up centres in Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.”

The NIFT has already reached agreements with 29 leading fashion institutes of the world under which students and faculty would visit various countries to study new fashion trends, he said.

“NIFT is also considering a proposal to publish fashion textbooks for the first time in the country and reputed publishing houses have shown keen interest in this regard. As there are no standard prescribed text books in the field of fashion, this venture of NIFT would be a milestone in the fashion world,” he added.

Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said: “It was a proud moment for us to get the fashion institute branch in the hill state. It will also provide global exposure to hand-knitted woollens by local craftsmen like shawls, stoles, mufflers, socks, gloves, pullovers and caps, Kangra paintings, Chamba rumal (handkerchief), and jewellery items.”

Former textile minister Shankarsingh Vaghela had laid the foundation stone of this institute in January this year.

The Kangra centre is the first to be set up in north India. It offers courses in fashion designing, fashion communication, fashion accessories, textile and apparel production.

“The first batch of 150 students has been enrolled,” institute director Dinesh Rangra said.