Institute of Fashion Technology Kerala [IFTK]
Everyone knows how important an institute for fashion technology is and what role it can play in shaping their life. Everybody is after ‘fashion’. Fashion is a passion with the people now. Not a single day passes without our print as well as electronic media carrying advertisements of stores and shopping malls where dress and dress materials of latest fashion are available, where VIPs do their shopping. People belonging to lower middle class and even poor families don’t mind shelling out a few hundred rupees on clothes of latest fashion. This is particularly so in a fast developing State like Kerala. They want to appear ‘modern.’ Hence the craze for ‘fashion.’
Though the Indian garment industry is less than three decades old, it is one of the fastest growing sectors with a multi-crore annual turnover. Though our country is yet to earn a name for itself as an international fashion centre, we have, to our credit, a few world-renowned fashion designers. We have to catch up with the developed world in fashion-designing, embroidery and whatnot bearing in mind the fact that we have the second largest population and market in the world. Turning to the West or anywhere for new fashions and designs may be justified, but we can’t always be copiers or imitators of others. We have to have designs and fashions that carry our country’s distinct identity.
India is exporting garments to all countries in the world. Their sole attraction seems to be the comparatively low prices of these garments. Some of the readymade dresses that we make are, of course, stunningly original, but on the whole our designs and patterns are far behind those of the developed world. Each one in the fashion industry should have a vision and a mission, and no effort should be spared for the realization of the mission. In a vast country like ours there is immense scope for setting up new trends in the fashion industry. Our young men and women are never short of original ideas, but they do not get adequate opportunities to put their ideas into operation and produce practical results. A large number of institutes offering fashion technology courses are the need of the hour.
The Centre for Continuing Education Kerala, as part of its key objective on employability enhancement of the youth of the State proposes to offer courses in the field of Fashion Technology, with the technical support of the NIFT. Government of Kerala, as per GO.(MS) No. 46/08/H.Edn. dated 6/5/2008, has accorded sanction for establishing the Institute of Fashion Technology Kerala [IFTK] at Vellimon, Perinad, Kundara in Kollam District. The Perinad Grama Panchayat has transferred a land area of 1.05 acres for establishing the Institute.Foundation Stone for the Institute was laid by Shri. M.A.A. Fatmi, Hon. Union Minister of State for HRD on May 7, 2008. The first phase of the construction of the building complex was completed on April 5, 2010 and the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri.V.S.Achuthanandan formarly inagurated the Institute in the presence of the Hon'ble Minister of Education & Culture Shri.M.A.Baby and the Hon'ble Minister of Excise and Labour Shri.P.K.Gurudasan.
Association with NIFT
National Institute of Fashion Technology was set up in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It has emerged as the premier Institute of Design, Management and Technology, developing professionals for taking up leadership positions in fashion business in the emerging global scenario.
The Institute is a pioneer in envisioning and evolving fashion business education in the country through a network of professionally managed centres at New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Kannur.
NIFT has set academic standards and excelled in thought leadership by providing a pool of creative genius and technically competent professionals. The institute provides a common platform for fashion education, research and training.
NIFT will technically support CCEK in:
i)
Curriculum Design, semester planning and academic scheduling of various
Fashion Design, Technology and Management Courses.
ii) Evolving proper and appropriate examination and evaluation systems
iii)
Assist in the recruitment and selection of Faculty and Resource persons
on full-
time/part-time basis.
iv) Conduct orientation programme for the newly recruited Faculty / Resource Personnel.
v) Establishment of Resource Centre comprising a library, audio video station.
vi) Finalise the layout and design of various labs, studios, workshops and procurement of machinery and equipment, etc.
The Centre in consultation with NIFT has devised the following Short Term Courses, for the first phase of its establishment of the Institute of Fashion Technology Kerala.
i) PG Diploma in Fashion Designing – 2 years
ii) PG Diploma in Apparel Production – 2 years
iii) Certificate in Retail, Marketing and Merchandising – 1 year
iv) Certificate in Portfolio Management – 6 months
v) Certificate in Menswear / Womenswear Pattern Making – 6 months
Courses are proposed to commence in June/July 2010.