NIFT going global with job placements

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, March 6, 2007
Today the nation, tomorrow the world. This is the new mantra adopted by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in getting its students placements all across the globe.
This new policy is being adopted by all 7 centres of NIFT in the country, targeting mainly, Europe, UK, US, Egypt, Bangladesh, Thailand and Hongkong as destinations for its graduating students.
“Every centre has been given the responsibility to explore placement opportunities for students in certain countries. The Kolkata branch has been given the responsibility to look for job opportunities in Bangladesh, Thailand and Hongkong,” said Shantmanu, director of NIFT, Kolkata.
Explaining the reason behind NIFT going global with its placements, SS Ray, associate professor & regional industry coordinator, NIFT Kolkata, said, “Our students are extremely talented. Many reputed textile companies; garment retailers and designers all over the world look to hire our students. But there has been no direct initiative on our part, forcing many to take the long route. In this age of globalisation and tough competition we will have to present our students to the global market in a manner that brings global recognition of their talents and enhances the institute’s reputation. Besides we do not want our students to miss out on the opportunity of working in an international environment.”
The final placements of fourth-year students is over and big firms based in Dubai, Hongkong, Paris and Sri Lanka has already picked up 31 students from the batch of 140 at NIFT, Kolkata. “We are going to other countries to study the job market and explore opportunities for our students. We are trying to understand the needs of foreign recruiters and invite them to our campus,” said Ray.
Students of all undergraduate streams – fashion designing, textile designing, leather designing and knitwear designing will be getting this opportunity. NIFT is also extending this opportunity to postgraduate students from the Fashion Management Studies department.
“The placement in NIFT is done centrally through our Delhi branch. So all students will get an equal opportunity when it comes to international or national placements,” said Ray.
NIFT would plans to send its students for offshore internships. “International internship assignments will not only help the students to learn more, understand their market and earn some foreign currency but if they can make a mark they could also bag a plum job with the company during the final placements,” said Ray.
According to NIFT officials, the salary in international placements will also be atleast four times that offered by Indian companies. Apart from internships, NIFT would also send its students to foreign universities to complete one module as part of a student-exchange programme. Tie-ups with several European institutions are being looked into.
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