Three-day Orientation Programme at the NIFT
REGIONAL: National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong, Wednesday initiated a three-day Orientation Programme to welcome a new cohort of students from across India marking the commencement of their academic pursuits in design, management and technology. The inaugural ceremony highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the students, who hail from various cultures, languages and regions of India and aimed to acclimatise them to NIFT's academic ecosystem, creative learning environment and institutional values.
The event featured Anil Kariwala, Founder & CEO of Kariwala Industries Ltd as the Chief Guest alongside Dr Ravi Shankar Bhakat, Faculty of Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, who served as Guest of Honour.
In his address, Kariwala called on the students to extend their education beyond traditional classrooms and prepare for the ever-evolving global fashion and textile industry. Citing his experience in leading a socially responsible and sustainable enterprise, he highlighted the crucial combination of creativity with technical skills, adaptability, professionalism, and a strong work ethic.
He urged students to embrace emerging technologies, understand market trends, and consistently upgrade their skills to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape, all while remaining authentic and rooted in India's rich cultural heritage.
Dr Bhakat stressed that the future of design transcends mere aesthetics, presenting designers as innovators, problem solvers, and leaders who can shape industries and influence consumer behavior, thus contributing to sustainable development.
The Director of NIFT Shillong Dr Brijesh Deore, welcomed the students and congratulated them on their admission to a prestigious institution. He encouraged them to engage fully with their education through discipline, creativity, resilience and an open mind, emphasising that design can act as a powerful agent for innovation, cultural preservation, sustainability and social transformation.
On the first day, the students were also introduced to NIFT Shillong’s academic framework, interdisciplinary curriculum, student support systems, campus facilities and institutional values, setting a strong foundation for their upcoming journey in the creative industries.