Graduating Class of 2023 awarded degrees
Celebrations and jubilations marked the 4th Convocation of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar held on Monday at Ompora campus, Budgam.
The ceremony was held for the 2019 batch of 33 outgoing students of the Fashion Designing (FD) and Fashion Communication (FC) departments of NIFT Srinagar.
The Convocation began with the graduating students taking a pledge to uphold the sanctity and dignity of their profession.
During the award ceremony, Bulbul Anand of the FD department was awarded the best graduation project award for scoring the highest cumulative marks in the final (8th) semester. Also, Sumaiya Alam was awarded for best use of traditional skills in contemporary styling. Alam scored the highest marks in her batch and was nominated by the jury based on the criteria mentioned in the design brief.
Also, Chelikani Ramdhulari Srinidhi of the FD department was awarded NIFT’s best academic performance award carrying a gold medal and a cash prize.
In his address to the students, renowned Fashion Designer, Zubair Kirmani who was the chief guest at the occasion while congratulating the students asked them to maintain the sanity of their profession and become brand ambassadors of NIFT Srinagar.
“Never give up during your struggle phase. Create your name and brand in designing. Tell your own story to the people,” Kirmani said. Kirmani also narrated how he struggled in his life while climbing the ladder of success. “What I am today is because of I have struggled a lot in my life,” he said.
Director General NIFT, Tanu Kashyap in her address to students stated that the parents of all the students deserve appreciation for giving freedom to their children to opt for creative courses like Fashion Designing and Communication.
“In the contemporary times, parents force students either to go for medical science or IAS but we are thankful to the parents of these students for understanding their career choice,” she said.
She however advised the students to create a balance between their professional and personal life noting that the professional life can be a preference but not at the cost of the personal life and family.
“Your success stories will make us happy and your failures will identify who you are. Never give up during your struggle phase,” she said.
Deputy Commissioner Budgam Akshay Labroo in his address congratulated the students and urged them not to lose the sanity of this profession at any point in life.
“After graduating from the institute, new horizons will open up for you in the new phase of life. Keep your emotional intelligence high and be calm and composed. You should not run after success through shortcuts. Work hard and the results will hug you with greater success,” he told the students.
Director NIFT Srinagar Dr Javid Ahmad Wani in his welcome address extended gratitude to the guests and other audience present at the occasion. He also briefed about the academic report and the achievements of the institute and also congratulated the graduating students. He hoped that the outgoing students will act as the brand ambassadors for NIFT Srinagar.
“The best achievement of NIFT has been the shifting from temporary accommodation to its permanent campus,” he said.
He said the NIFT Srinagar has made good progress in terms of enrollment as the number of students has increased from 100 in 2021 to 350 this year.
“We are hopeful that the enrollment will further increase to 500 in August this year,” he said. He said the NIFT offers degrees in four UG courses and one PG course has been added to the courses as well.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam Al Tahir Gilani also addressed the students on the occasion.
He said NIFT Srinagar is making all efforts to create awareness among the society about the NIFT campus and the courses offered at the institute. “NIFT Srinagar has kept around 35 percent reservation for local (Kashmiri) students in all the courses. This has been done to encourage local youth to opt for Fashion and Design as part of their career,” he said.
Campus Academic Coordinator, Shri Syed Azher presented a vote of thanks at the end of the Convocation ceremony.
