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INDIA EDITION

MUST-WATCH FASHION & DESIGN INSTITUTES IN INDIA

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FEATURING INSIDE

Amrita Deora, Founder & CEO, The Designera

EDU BRAIN ACADEMY INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY

Dr. Jitin Chadha, Director, Indian Institute of Art and Design

JD INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY

Manvendra Shukul, Founder & CEO, Lakshya

KIIT SCHOOL OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL

Piyush Gupta, President, Kestone Shanthi Rajan, Director – Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus

NITTE

SCHOOL OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY AND INTERIOR DESIGN

SHAPING FASHION INDUSTRY

LEADERS OF TOMORROW

FEBRUARY 2021

Higher Education Digest February 2021

February 2021

Vol - 3 Issue - 2

Fashion & Design institutes in India (India Edition) Editor in Chief

Dr. Manoj Varghese

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Anjana K Anna Elza

Navya Venkatesh Stanly Lui Emma James

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MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

Can Fashion Attract Learners When It Goes Online?

undreds of thousands of workers in the textiles industry were suspended or laid off when the pandemic struck, and stores closed across the world. The working population had to wait for payment more than usual. In a survey conducted by Center for Global Workers’ Rights (CGWR), suppliers said they had to wait an average of 77 days for payment, compared with 43 days before the pandemic, raising fears of further factory closures in an industry employing 60 million people worldwide. Suppliers in countries including Cambodia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Peru and Vietnam told CGWR they had already laid off 10 per cent of their workers and would have to cut another 35 per cent of their labour force if order reductions continued. In India, a survey by the Retailers Association of India (RAI) said that around 80,000 jobs are expected to be cut by various retailers due to the ongoing crisis. Several such reports on job losses led people to reconsider their priorities, including ones

concerning their education. Many believed that online classes’ reality as an alternative for physical classes and the ever more tough economy might impact students’ decisions and, subsequently, universities’ attraction. The creative disciplines and fashion schools were at the forefront of this concern. However, the institutes are optimistic about future enrollment, as they have successfully remodelled their programs during the pandemic to suit the ‘new norms’ of education. Many schools have even reported an increase in the number of future candidates. To help fashion and design aspirants make informed decisions about their study destinations, we have listed ‘10 Must-Watch Fashion and Design Institutes in India’ that are at the forefront of providing cutting edge fashion and designing education. On the cover, we feature NITTE School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design, which is committed to the innovationbased education system. Its teaching methodology enables students to bring their best of creativity. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

Higher Education Digest February 2021

ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Kuldeep Nagi, Ph.D, MBA, BSc. Program Director of Ph.D, Recipient of Fulbright Fellowship Award & Dan Evans Award for Excellence and Writer columnist.

Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD, MBA, MPhil, MCom, LLB. Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto, PhD, Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer.

6 Major General (Rtd.) Dr. Sunil Chandra, VSM (Vishishta Seva Medal), Ph.D, M. Phil, MA, M.Ed, PGBDA Ex-M D Army Welfare Education Society, ExCOO GEMS Education - India, Ex- Addl Dir Gen - Army Education, Mentor - Adventure-Pulse

Dr. Ajay Shukla, Ph.D, MBA, BE.

Mr. Sreedhar Bevara, MBA, B.Com

Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Higher Education UAE

Former Senior General Manager: Panasonic Middle East & Africa, Thought Leader, Speaker & Author of ‘Moment of Signal’ (Amazon’s International Bestseller)

Mr. Amulya Sah, PGD PM & IR, PG Diploma in PM&IR (XISS Ranchi)

Shanthi Rajan (MSHRM, FHEA, AMCILT) Director, Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus, UAE.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Former Senior Director HR. Head HR group Samsung R&D Institute India,Transformative HR Leader, Change agent, Digitization facilitator, Engagement architect, Trainer and Diversity champion.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Suramya Mathai, Ph.D,M.Ed,MA,BA. Teachers Training Expert, Writer, Author, Speaker & Social Worker

Higher Higher Education Education Digest Digest February October 2021 2020

Contents

COVER STORY

NITTE School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design

SHAPING FASHION INDUSTRY

LEADERS OF TOMORROW

Higher Education Digest February 2021

EDU BRAIN ACADEMY Modelling Students into Tomorrow’s Headliners

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY, BANGALORE Offering High-End Fashion Education for Aspiring Fashion Leaders

JD INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY Working Towards a Better Normal

KIIT SCHOOL OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY Blending Fashion Education with Technology

WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL A Stepping Stone to A Bright Career in Fashion Design

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Con t e n t s MENTOR’S MANTRA

ACADEMIC VIEWS

HOW TO EMBARK ON A CAREER IN ART

DILEMMA OF HIRING – PIZZA EFFECT TO RUBIK’S CUBE!

SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DESIGN PROFESSIONALS

Dr. Jitin Chadha, Director, Indian Institute of Art and Design

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Shanthi Rajan, Director – Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus

Amrita Deora, Founder & CEO, The Designera TODAY’S YOUTH-WALKING ON THE EDGE

Dr. Gitanjali Kalia, Associate Professor, Chitkara University

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

EXPERIENTIAL VIRTUAL EVENT TECHNOLOGY TO WIDEN CAREER PROSPECTS FOR INDIAN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN TIER 2&3 CITIES CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN GAME ART CREATION

Manvendra Shukul, Founder & CEO, Lakshya

Piyush Gupta, President, Kestone

HOW 3D PRINTING AND EDUCATION SECTOR ARE COMING TOGETHER

Swapnil Sansare, CEO, Divide by Zero FASTRACK YOUR CAREER WITH THESE NEW-AGE COURSES

Kanishk Duggal, CEO, Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI)

Higher Education Digest February 2021

MENTOR’S MANTRA

SIGNIFICANCE OF

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DESIGN PROFESSIONALS Dr. Jitin Chadha, Director, Indian Institute of Art and Design

A first-generation entrepreneur, Dr Jitin Chadha is the Founder Director of Indian Institute of Art and Design and Indian School of Business and Finance. Dr Chadha was awarded his Doctorate in Finance in 2011, in a grand ceremony chaired by the HRD Minister, Kapil Sibal and Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

The interplay of technology, innovation and conducive policy landscape presents an exciting time for the design industry’s evolution

ocial media today has become a potent medium for information, communication and collaboration. The proliferation of smart devices, the emergence of nextgeneration technologies and ubiquitous internet connectivity have fuelled the rise of several social media platforms in the past few decades. Their accessibility, ease of use, versatility and ability for two-way communication in real-time has aided their exponential growth. Over 60% of the world’s population was online by the start of 2020, out of which 4.14 billion are using social media, according to the Digital 2020 October Statshot Report (a joint initiative of Datareportal, We Are Social and Hootsuite). The COVID-19 lockdown has invariably given a fillip to the digitization and also led to a surge in screen time, with netizens spending an average of 2.5 hours daily on social media. The report also highlights that an additional 180 million people used social media between July 2020 and

September 2020, vis-a-vis the previous quarter, implying an average increase of approximately two million users per day. A Potent Tool to Inform, Connect and Engage with Customers Social media has disrupted the design landscape by allowing a flow of information like never before. For this visual-centric and consumer-first industry, social media platforms allow for a customer connect that is more personalized and intimate as opposed to fashion runaways and design events that may be comparatively less accessible to a layperson. The sharing of photographs and videos of live events and collections on platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest enable design aficionados to stay abreast of the latest developments from anywhere and anytime. It also aids designers in gaining real-time feedback and voicing their opinions on important issues about the industry. The use of social media in design

Higher Education Digest February 2021

has also ushered the democratization of the creative process, with customers becoming more exacting in their choices and increasing their participation in the design process. A New Research and the 2020 Sprout Index survey highlights that 89% of consumers prefer buying from brands they follow on social media. About 69% of marketers put brand awareness as the primary reason for leveraging social media. The rise of social media bloggers and influencers has given a new dimension to the design industry. These professionals help in popularizing designers, influencing trends and keeping the audience engaged with the design fraternity. Social media posts, be it on picturesque landscapes in multiple hues or a glimpse of a recent vacation, also serve as an inspiration for designers for their upcoming products and services. A recent Kalypso study has highlighted that social media has fostered product innovation for nearly 46% of companies while generating new product ideas for 43% of them. Building Brands and Strengthening Consumer Loyalties Design professionals, specially novices, are increasingly leveraging social media to identify and build a consumer base, secure their loyalty through regular interactions and events and weave a seamless recall across multiple platforms. From merely serving as a communication and networking tool, the role of social media today has witnessed a paradigm shift to marketing products and services, building a brand personality, generating sales and building a loyal consumer base. Vernacularization and transcreation have emerged as formidable social media trends in design to reach out to diverse audiences across

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Dr. Jitin Chadha

geographical regions, languages and culture. Social media analytics such as the use of relevant hashtags, tracking likes, shares and comments give a strategic insight to design professionals on what their consumers like, what new features are likely to resonate with them and gauge their sentiment towards the brand. The leveraging of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in social media is an enabler to fuel creativity, adopt innovation and enhance the customer experience in the design industry.

Social media has disrupted the design landscape by allowing a flow of information like never before

Challenges that need to be addressed Nevertheless, some challenges remain in the use of social media in the design industry. Foremost among them is the breach of copyright by copying designs blindly and portraying another individual’s creation as one’s own. The breaching of copyright hampers creativity, dents the industry’s reputation and incurs massive costs due to protracted legal battles. In an era where consumers are increasingly vocal about their opinions and choices, the design industry needs to portray the intent behind their initiatives, and also be careful of what is put out on social media. Even a slight miscommunication or not tailoring the content according to language, geography, or culture may backfire and harm their reputation. A spate of cybercrimes such as hacking, phishing, etc are also formidable challenges for individuals and businesses worldwide. These uncertain times of the pandemic, has necessitated the design industry to adapt and evolve in tune with the changing requirements over time. It has also underscored the need to go the extra mile through creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and innovation to survive and thrive. Way Forward Nevertheless, the interplay of technology, innovation and conducive policy landscape presents an exciting time for the design industry’s evolution. The leveraging of social media in the design process is here to stay, given the thrust on digitization, the advent of newer technologies and a conducive policy landscape. The future will hinge on how designers and their companies use social media to navigate the dynamic environment and stand out from the competition.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

COVER STORY

NITTE School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design

Higher Education Digest February 2021

SHAPING FASHION INDUSTRY

LEADERS OF TOMORROW

Higher Education Digest February 2021

C 20

OVID-19 outbreak has caused a downward spiral in the world economy and caused a huge impact on the higher education system. The sudden closure of campuses as a social distancing measure to prevent community transmission has shifted face-to-face classes to online learning systems. This has thrown the focus on utilizing eLearning tools and platforms for effective student engagement, which may have limitations of accessibility and affordability for many students. The pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of the current higher education system and the need for more training of educators in digital technology to adapt to the rapidly changing education climate of the world. As the interaction between students and faculties was difficult, learning outcome and evaluation was hindered. Equipping students and faculty to use online platforms for the teaching-learning process was challenging. Completion of the syllabus was focused mainly on conducting practical classes was a challenge, and the complete offline academic and student activity became nil. “There was a decrease in the percentage of admission, especially international students, which also played a role in impacting teachers at their workplace significantly,” says Dr Sandhya Ravi, Principal, NITTE School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design (NSFTID). With regular interaction hours and subject study hours specifically designed for online classes, NSFTID gave their faculty NITTE Email IDs to help in

Higher Education Digest February 2021

The main block of NITTE School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design is aesthetically designed and built to suit the requirements of a top Fashion designing and Interior designing college.

conducting secure and safe online classes with flexible times. The online classes only covered the theory aspect of the syllabus, and the practical aspect was taken care of when offline classes could be conducted. “We hosted various seminars, webinars, and workshops about Fashion and Interior Subjects for the students and teachers to keep them updated with the current trends in their respective subjects. New Pedagogical measures were designed to evaluate training and generate mechanisms to support disadvantaged students,” points out Dr Sandhya. Revamping Practical Education Aiming to provide high-quality and world-class education in Fashion Technology and Interior Design,

Higher Education Digest February 2021

NFSTID is committed to the innovation-based system of education, and its teaching methodology enables students to bring their best of creativity. “We enable our students to be industry-ready and make a remarkable career in Fashion and Interior design industry. Our campus in Bangalore is well equipped with all the modern amenities to provide students with the best learning environment,” says Dr Sandhya. Enabling additional development and training for students, NSFTID collaborates with the industry to give ‘Employer Projects’ to students, help them deepdive into business needs, meet professional needs, and develop practical solutions to business issues. Industry collaborations also stimulate companies’ internal research and development programs. University researchers help industrial scientists identify current research that might be useful for designing and developing innovative processes

Higher Education Digest February 2021

The campus of NITTE School of Fashion Technology & Interior Design in Bangalore is well equipped with all the modern amenities to provide students the best of learning environment.

and potential products. “Working closely with colleagues to address shared concerns and to grow together is the hallmark of a vital academic community. Creating conditions that encourage faculty collaboration is an important way for higher education institutions to innovate and adapt in a time of rapid and continuous change, which is our college vision,” says Dr Sandhya. Having collaborated with companies like Atal Incubation Centre, Jaquar, Geberit, Asian Paints, LIVSPACE, FabIndia, Gokaldas, Lifestyle, H&M, and the Sandalwood, the students at NSFTID are encouraged to work hard and focus on their careers. “We give our students a sense of control, clarity about their learning objectives, healthy competition, harness student interests, and track their progress,” points out Dr Sandhya. NSFTID is very keen on promoting creative and innovative techniques among students, following these

Higher Education Digest February 2021

mechanisms at the institution and departmental level. Providing a platform to exhibit their fashion and interior models on various in-house and public exhibitions, the institute identifies the uniqueness in each student and accordingly sends them to competitions and rewards participation and achievements. “Our students display their creativity and innovation at the Open day exclusively open for all the outsiders to visit the campus to see the innovations in design,” adds Dr. Sandhya. Promoting Entrepreneurship Encouraging students to start their ventures, NSFTID has established an Entrepreneurship Cell represented by the Faculty and Students of the Institute to share their innovative ideas and techniques to become future entrepreneurs. “Our students have pursued the path of entrepreneurship and started well-known companies, namely, House of EMKAY, Sandalwood, FabIndia, and LIVSPACE,” points out Dr Sandhya. With around 30% of the students pursuing higher education, 65% of NSFTID

Higher Education Digest February 2021

NITTE School of Fashion Technology & Interior Design enable its student to be industry ready and make a remarkable career in Fashion and Interior design industry.

students have been placed in well-reputed companies like Jaquar, Gokaldas Exports Textiles, Raymond’s, Lifestyle, and H&M. Securing three Bangalore University ranks in the First Batch of interior Design, NSFTID makes students familiar with online learning methods and inculcates smart classroom teaching and learning techniques to become more technologically advanced. “We are introducing new higher academic programs, increasing MoUs and collaborations with foreign bodies and universities for good learning exposure to cater to the needs of our students’ learning,” states Dr Sandhya. Emphasizing more on practical learning and extending volunteer learning, NSFTID has established a placement and training centre to conduct mock interviews. The institute constantly engages with industrial relations to place all its students for internships and placements and encourage students to undergo skill development programs for better performance. Helping students in finding their footing in the everevolving industry, Dr Sandhya concludes, “We expect a surge in online courses and degrees, replacing face-to-face classes and less international travel to pursue education. We are looking forward to the trend of online learning among students pretty soon”.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

HOW TO EMBARK ON

A CAREER IN ART Amrita Deora, Founder & CEO, The Designera

26 Amrita Deora is the founder of The Designera, an art and design company. With an educational background in design from Central Saint Martins (London) and an upcoming degree in commerce from Mumbai University, Amrita carries a rare combination of design aesthetic and business capabilities which propelled her into founding Designera. With almost half a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, Amrita founded her first company at age 18 that ventured into shared working spaces. Soon after, her love of art compelled her to begin The Designera.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Without an artistic voice, one could be lost at sea in an industry that is brimming with competitive talent

nly those who are passionate about art can understand the magnetic pull that demands you to pursue your dreams in this exquisite subject. A journey in the field of art is unlike any other industry, owing to its subjective and emotionally charged nature. Here are a few tips for those art enthusiasts trying to make inroads into this enchanting, but daunting field. Be True to Your Craft When embarking on a journey in the business of art, it’s crucial to build the discipline of remaining true to one’s craft. Being so deeply immersed in one’s craft that one ignores ‘what the market wants’ is the responsibility of every creator. Taking a cue from our Bhagavad Gita, where Shri Krishna famously says “Whatever the result of the action, calmly do your duty without seeking a reward. Right action is bound to bring the right

result, so it is not necessary to run after it.” If you create what inspires you, the success is bound to follow. Find your artistic voice The length and breadth of art spans limitless genres, mediums, eras and styles. Thus, it’s crucial for every artist and art business to have an artistic voice that is unique and focused. It could be a distinct style, or a particular medium or even a rare subject that immensely inspires you. Without an artistic voice, one could be lost at sea in an industry that is brimming with competitive talent. Immerse Yourself in The World of Art Through every stage of building your business, immerse yourself in the world of art. Understanding the landscape of any industry is crucial to businesses, but few are as pleasurable

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Amrita Deora

as viewing art. Take every opportunity to attend museums, architectural masterpieces, galleries- travel and collect a wealth of inspiration. Harness the Artist’s Advantage with Social Media In a world run by social media, art businesses stand at a natural advantage. With all businesses striving to create beautifully designed feeds filled with riotous colours, the nature of the art businesses effortlessly allows you to accomplish this. Building a community of patrons can kick-start your dream in the art world. Ensure every aspect of your branding and social media is as stunning as your art. Let Your Studio Inspire You Let your workspace serve as a source of inspiration. A creative flow is extensively influenced by your surroundings and can breathe life into your work. Make sure to fill your studio with natural light, greens, colours and everything that drives and motivates your creative process. Creativity takes immense courage, but the pursuit of your dreams in art will undoubtedly be a colourful and rewarding journey. In the words on Van Gogh, “If you hear a voice within you say ‘You cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

Higher Education Digest February 2021

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Higher Education Digest February 2021

ACADEMIC VIEW

DILEMMA OF

HIRING – PIZZA EFFECT TO RUBIK’S CUBE! Shanthi Rajan, Director – Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus

Shanthi RAJAN is a senior HR professional with a cumulative 29 years of experience in HR and academia. Shanthi is the Director – Institution Development of University of Stirling, RAK campus and SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) Diplomas. She moved to academia in 2009 and has taught in many Universities of repute in UAE, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Pizza Effect and the Rubik’s Cube in synergy of talents and organization’s philosophy exists

y now it is clear to all of us that the twenty first century workplace is not all about technical skills, open offices, recruitment process outsourcing or application of machine learning models. There is still a dearth of qualified potential hires and because of this more often than not the recruiting process is flawed. PwC’s 2017 CEO Survey reports that Chief Executives view the unavailability of talents and skills as the biggest threat to their businesses and I am sure any credible survey will talk of the same thing too if conducted today. So, what is that we are missing with such an abundance of technical skills in almost all the domains that we can think of! What is missing in simple terms is the ‘Interface’. Interface between the technical personality and the role requirements of an organization. Everything from attitude, adaptation, behavioral competencies, collaboration, team building and team playing, soft skills, success

and understanding the requirements of an organizational role, and dependencies of the role(s) toward goal congruence and attendant objectives are some of the inclusive attributes of ‘Interface’. The perturbing part is it just doesn’t stop here for an organization’s fit. If all these attributes are the cubes of the Rubik then to complete the game, one has to complete the same color criteria on each face of the Rubik. In our context this color criteria is the Emotional Intelligence that completes the Rubik. This is the binding factor in the Rubik’s Cube of ‘Organization’s People Attributes’. So, what this implies is that process of talent sourcing is more than an abstract science. As a metaphor it is just the Pizza base – without topping, no one is going to call it a Pizza for it ceases to be an addressable entity in customs of use and practices. Pizza Effect is the soft skills toppings just short of the color criteria of the Rubik’s cube as used in this context. Just the soft skills!

Higher Education Digest February 2021

About

Shanthi Rajan She holds a Master’s degree with specialization in Strategic Human Resources Management from the University of Wollongong, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate. Her core areas of specialization and research interest includes Strategic HRM, OB, Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. She is an affiliate member of CILT (UK) and a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA, UK). She is a certified S+EI coach from the Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence (ISEI), Denver, Colorado and also certified in using Positive Psychology for coaching S+EI. She is also a certified ICF approved EIC Practitioner. She serves as an Advisory Board Member for a few academic institutions of repute. She has completed her Postgraduate certification (PGCert) in teaching and learning from UK and her Higher Education Teaching Certificate from Derek Bok Centre of Teaching and Learning, Harvard University.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

There is still a dearth of qualified potential hires and because of this more often than not the recruiting process is flawed

What we are seeing is this ‘Pizza Effect’ all around us. This is what all of the employers feel when they say, “there are not enough talents available for hire and why this dearth is” and they aren’t even talking about the Rubik’s Cube yet. Hiring process in most of the large organizations are heavily skewed in favor of these Pizza Effects for most of them have invested heavily on their own technical training centers. Again, the deficiency is the topping. Another aspect to the Rubik’s Cube dimension is the ‘people-centric’ attitude – yet another corner stone of Emotional Intelligence. This is one of the most sought after and the topmost grading criteria for employers as organizations these days increasingly engage with their clients for solutions, strategies and businesses. Since the Industrial Revolution to Industry 4.0, we haven’t been able to find a solution to this Rubik’s Cube

of Organization’s People Attribute. The good thing is with various research till now we have come to a conclusion that the Pizza Effect and the Rubik’s Cube in synergy of talents and organization’s philosophy exists. If this could have a mathematical treatise then probably even by employing all kinds of mathematical tools from Calculus, Cumulative Algebra, Classical and Contemporary Algorithms and to even Topology available to us currently, we would still struggle to arrive at an equation and consensus. This is because Organizations are made up of people each with individual psychology and ‘project managed’ in a controlled work and purpose environment toward the planned collective goals. It has become the need of the hour to mitigate this fix. Firstly, by imparting soft skills trainings at the educational institutions level and for doing this possibly we have to up-skill the teaching faculties in these domains. A must. Soft skill trainings should be accorded equal weightage as the technical skills in the Management Schools to conclude in the Rubik’s Cube Effect beyond and surpassing the Pizza Effect. Needless to say that it should be a part of the curricula. At technical schools appropriate weightage in the core areas of soft skills must be imparted to the students including skills relevant at least to address the Pizza Effect. Guidance on routes to Rubik’s Cube could definitely be given and if possible included in the curricula. Secondly, the hiring organizations should impart these attributes with relevant case studies with a well devised and structured curriculum plan so that the incumbents become ‘fit for our culture, thoughts, perspectives and objectives’. Thirdly, this also calls for an increased engagement and interface between the Industries and the educational institutions – both cannot exist in isolation. To sustain and prosper and to build wealth a business needs talented people and this input comes from Educational Institutions. This has far reaching consequences right till a country’s GDP and economy. Fourth is the perpetual training both in their respective domains and the skills required to mitigate the Pizza Effect and to strive to achieve the Rubik’s Cube paradigm. Remember! PwC’s 2017 CEO Survey report: Chief Executives view the unavailability of talents and skills as the biggest threat to their businesses. Stay safe and stay indoors till mankind triumphs over COVID 19. We will!

Higher Education Digest February 2021

ndia is a hotbed of international apparel and footwear manufacturing companies. Educational institutions have responded to the need to train professionals, and over fifty-five institutions offer programs in fashion design and retailing. The majority of the curriculum focuses on fashion design and technology, although a few programs offer degrees focused on the apparel industry’s business side. The design and retailing of fashion is a global phenomenon. It should come as no surprise that learning institutions worldwide prepare graduates for careers in the international fashion industry. For most fashion students, graduate shows to mark their debut into the industry; they offer opportunities to liaise with editors and impress buyers and potential employers. But this year, there were no graduate shows and few opportunities for students to meet with industry insiders. Some aspiring designers weren’t able to finish their collections in time due to shuttered fabric shops and closed-off studio spaces. Covid-19 has derailed how fashion schools operate. Students enrolling this year face uncomfortable questions about the value of a costly education conducted at a social distance, without many of the benefits of campus and inperson tuition. Fashion is evolving, and its schools must make it too. As the industry opens up and more unconventional career paths evolve, they will need to work harder to attract top talent. On the other hand, the expertise, community, access, and education they provide still offer a deeply enriching experience and entry into the industry for many young creative. With that in mind, Higher Education Digest has come up with “10 Must-Watch Fashion & Design Institutes in India” to showcase the efforts put by these institutes that are giving attention to the emerging sector and bring out leaders who are set out to revamp the fashion industry at a global level.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

College Name

City

State

Amity School of Fashion Technology

Noida

Uttar Pradesh

Edu Brain Academy

New Delhi

Delhi

Indian Institute of Fashion Technology

Bangalore

Karnataka

JD Institute of Fashion Technology

Haus Khas Village New Delhi

Delhi

KIIT School of Fashion Technology

Bhubaneswar

Odisha

NITTE School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design

Bangalore

Karnataka

Pearl Academy

New Delhi

Delhi

Symbiosis Institute of Design

Mumbai

Maharashtra

Vogue Institute of Art and Design

Bangalore

Karnataka

Whistling Woods International

Mumbai

Maharashtra

Higher Education Digest February 2021

EDU BRAIN ACADEMY MODELLING STUDENTS INTO TOMORROW’S HEADLINERS

OVID-19 pandemic-impacted higher education will be different mainly in the mode of teaching and evaluation. With going digital being the most predictable change in the Higher Education Sector, online learning has become necessary without a break in students’ education. “We have to adapt this method of teaching after COVID-19. Even we are preparing our students for the future accordingly with innovations, proactiveness, strategies, technologies and embracing creativity with the new delivery modes”, points out Shilpi Sharma, Director, Edu Brain Academy. Like any other educational institutions worldwide, Edu Brain Academy has seen a drastic decline in enrollment for the first time due to the pandemic. The campus was shut down in March, which is supposed to be the time of rising in enrolment nationwide, where the student seeks opportunity to visit the campus or attend seminar/ events. “There were some frequent reasons we have received from the respondents in this pandemic that they either planned to attend a two-year course rather than opting for the 4-year course or another option they chose such as taking a gap year, shares Shilpi. Despite providing a new platform of virtual learning, the acceptance of new teaching methods was significantly less, which adversely impacted enrollment. However, Edu Brain Academy could overcome those challenges after taking some compulsory resources and safety measures. The institute implemented social distancing, adopting online classes, mandatorily wearing masks on-campus, temperature checks and full body sanitization before entering class.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Founded in 2010, the Edu Brain Academy offers job oriented courses in Fashion, Interior, Beauty/Makeup, Hospitality and seeks to break new ground by bridging the gap between static education and the social environment for youth.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

ABOUT

SHILPI SHARMA, DIRECTOR Shilpi Sharma is a young entrepreneur and Director at Edu Brain Academy, India. She has

proved her skills in vocational education and training and made her brand “Edu Brain Academy” the most trusted education brand in India. Shilpi is an eminent individual who is a part of various national and international bodies and has also won many achievement awards.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Promoting Meaningful Vocational Education The Edu Brain Academy, a self-funded institution based in Delhi, was founded in 2010 and run by Edu Brain Foundation(regd.). “It makes a small beginning in a great change in the field of vocational education, making it more meaningful and diversified. Through this experiment, we seek to break new ground by bridging the gap between static education and the social environment for youth,” states Shilpi. Edu Brain Academy helps in planning, designing, and executing national and international vocational courses with the latest technology for vocational training in areas with wage/ self-employ ability; thereby increasing and developing youth participation in the globe’s economic and social development. The Academy envisions to provide practical-based programs and services to meet and exceed students’ personal, educational, career, and social goals in life. Shilpi adds, “We aim to provide an academically cohesive education within and between all departments on campus to ensure all students obtain essential skills necessary to become educated and Productive Citizen.” With the new rising academic standards, Edu brain Academy always comes up with new ways to help their students work harder, where the teachers play a vital role in motivating and encouraging their students to focus on their careers. At the beginning of their year, the institution sets some objectives, rules

Edu Brain Academy provides practicalbased programs and services to meet and exceed students’ personal, educational, career, and social goals in life.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

and regulations, and inspiration to develop students’ goals towards work. The teachers create a supportive environment and focus on each student’s strength while providing personal attention to every student. “To keep all the students motivated, we don’t believe only in classroom learning. We mix up the lessons with more live projects, market survey, and researches. As all the students are not on one scale, we help them enhance their communication and computer language simultaneously to make them ready for the industry,” says Shilpi. Bridging the Academia-Industry Gap Edu Brain Academy provides job-ready courses and directly links its curriculum with the industry. Providing live projects and maximum practical-based activities included in their curriculum that meet the need of the industry, Edu Brain Academy prepares its students according to the industry requirement where the students have plenty of opportunities for compulsory internship and placement either in India or abroad. “We make students interact directly with the corporate trainers or industries experts, where they share their experience with them, and we also take the students for an industrial visit for getting the lifetime experience of the industries,” states Shilpi. Students are always concerned about campus placements. They see the record of the past campus placements of the institution graduates coming out every year. Many companies aren’t accepting applications if the candidates fail to secure 60 per cent aggregate or more in the final year or all three or four years of the Graduation program. 90% of students receive campus placement in Delhi/NCR or Internationally. The industry and institution collaboration has facilitated a partnership between both industry and academia to create a more skilled workforce and drive students’ pathway to enter into the industry to gain experience. “We have signed MoUs with many top companies like Planet fashion, Zara, Levis, H&M, Fab Modulla, Pepperfry, Myntra, Sony, Colours, Ritu Kumar, Lakme,

Higher Education Digest February 2021

JW Marriot, Le Meridian, and the list goes on with new more upcoming tie-ups with the companies,” points out Shilpi. Keeping enthusiasm as the central aspect of encouraging students, Edu Brain Academy nurtures creativity and innovation in the students. “Sometimes, we need to take a risk in promoting new processes and skills to upgrade the level of learning. If it doesn’t work, we again try and modify our teaching method. Our faculties do proactive interactions with each student to showcase their ideas to incorporate more active learning into their teaching. We facilitate students with discussions on problem-solving opportunities,” says Shilpi. Edu Brain Academy’s students have shown phenomenal results and achieved great success in their careers. It is the reflection of the hard work of the institute’s faculties, mentors, and parents. “It was a moment of great pride when some students got international placement in top companies in countries like Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, and Europe. Their dedication and determination will surely help us to become an inspiration for our upcoming students to achieve their goals and great success,” adds Shilpi. Education is vital to raise people’s productivity and creativity and promote the latest technological advances. It also plays a crucial role in securing economic and social progress and improving income distribution. Higher education, in particular, is a technology and innovation driver. Furthermore, it is a driver of growth, prosperity, and competitiveness in national and global economies. Having drawn out a roadmap for the next steps, Shilpi concludes, “We are planning to develop and improve the programs, which means curriculum, new learning technologies, teaching method and systematic way of education.”

Higher Education Digest February 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

IN GAME ART CREATION Manvendra Shukul, Founder and CEO, Lakshya

44 Manvendra Shukul is Co-Founder of Lakshya Digital and serves as its CEO. An undisputed gaming guru in India with over 20 years of experience, he has been a pioneer in the Indian video games space. Shukul has developed the first 3D game engine in India and has been responsible for setting up and running one of the largest animation studios of India. He is also a regular speaker at the GDC and NASSCOM events. His process-driven mindset has given Lakshya the huge advantage of SWAT®, a comprehensive workflow application that and its clients together seamlessly. Despite his stern looks, he is a people’s person at heart - a fact amply demonstrated by the fierce loyalty of his team and staff members.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

While artistic ability is a key pre-requisite for a career in Game Art creation, one also needs to be skilled in the use of digital tools

he Covid-19 pandemic has impacted economic activity negatively almost equally across the globe. Between social distancing, slow downs and lock downs, work-from-home protocolshave had people literally incarcerated for months now. With limited movement and forced stay at home protocols, people have taken to gaming in a massive surge that has seen the gaming market explode. The pandemic has– almost inadvertently - shown the gaming sector to be remarkably resilient. The post-covid altered landscape for the gaming industry is replete with opportunities. The online gaming sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40% to $2.8 billion by 2022, up from $1.1 billion in 2019, according to a Deloitte India report.The needfor entertainment during COVID-19 lockdown, rise in internet penetration and monetization of games have contributed to a surge in the number of

users. That in turn has brightened the prospectsfor the industry as a whole, and for a career in gaming particularly. There are a number of career options that are today available to an aspirant in the gaming industry. Disciplines as diverse as Design, Art, Programming, Testing, Project Management etc. are all prospective lines for employment. Each discipline requires a distinct skill set and one can opt for a career in any discipline depending upon the skills and interests of the aspirant. Game Art, for example, which involves the creation of 2D and 3D graphics and animations (this includes all the interesting characters, exotic environments, exciting animations etc. that one sees in a game) is well suited for those with an interest and aptitude for visual arts. Those looking to get into game art industry should consider enrolling for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program at a good university followed

Higher Education Digest February 2021

by a good training programme that brings in professionals to impart knowledge and training on tools, techniques and processes. While artistic ability is a key pre-requisite for a career in Game Art creation, one also needs to be skilled in the use of digital tools like Maya, Max, Photoshop, ZBrush, Substance Designer etc. and have a rudimentary understanding of how game engines such as Unreal or Unity work. Finally, one needs to have knowledge of the video game art creation pipeline, and the processes and techniques involved in the creation of digital assets for games. Now that it is a multi-billion-dollar industry, there are many gaming careers option to choose from, both on the technical and creative sides of the field. If you have the commitment, skills and drive to immerse yourself in the world of video games, the possibilities are endless. There are varied job titles in the Game Art discipline, typical ones amongst which are: Artist: This is a starting position and entails hands-on art creation under the supervision of a Lead Artist. Senior Artist: These are experienced artists who have been in field for at least 4 to 5 years and typically are entrusted with the more complex art creation tasks on a project. They are expected to work independently (with minimal supervision or direction) and may sometimes be required to take one or two junior artists under their wings. Lead Artist: They lead teams of artists in specific areas such as Character creation or Environment creation. These are experienced and talented artists with team management capabilities. Art Director: They are responsible for laying out the artistic vision for a game and providing leadership to

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Disciplines as diverse as Design, Art, Programming, Testing, Project Management etc. are all prospective lines for employment

the art team. This is a senior position that requires not only visualization and artistic ability, but also strong leaderships skills. Some of the other common job titles include Games Animator, Animation Director, Concept Artist, Illustratorand Game QC Artist. Game Art salaries compare favorably with salaries in similar professions. While starting salaries are typically modest (upto 25000 per month), this can grow to six figures by the time one becomes a Lead and can grow by huge leaps thereafter. Post-employment growth is immense and depends on talent, skills and other individual factors. While the growth potential is immense, like everywhere else, a lot depends on individual talent, skills and aptitude and a desire to learn and improve.

Higher Education Digest February 2021 November 2020

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY, BANGALORE

OFFERING HIGH-END FASHION EDUCATION FOR ASPIRING FASHION LEADERS

niversities have a long history of operating in environments that are unstable, disruptive and unpredictable. They’ve endured political upheavals, financial crises and disruptive trends such as digital transformation and globalisation. They’ve had to respond to demands for greater access, life-long learning and multiple competing demands from students, society, the state, industry and local communities. But the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and a more formidable challenge. By pushing universities to re-imagine new teaching and learning possibilities, the higher education sector has got universities to re-examine how they do research and pursue collaborations. It calls for the industry to re-examine how it works. Higher education must re-define the rigid bureaucracies that characterise the system. The foundation of universities and college campuses where students study in close proximity to each other has been significantly impacted by the rapid spread of the COVID outbreak, creating uncertainty regarding higher education implications. Shifting to conducting classes, workshops, and

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Established in 2001 at the heart of the city of Bangalore, IIFT aims to create a place that offers progressive programs to train young minds in various aspects of the fashion industry.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

seminars online, IIFT has had its fair share of ups and downs during the nationwide lockdown. “We conducted online career guidance programmes and started digital marketing activities to increase admissions. Not forgetting our current students, we have been conducting online internals, preparatory exams and presentations, ensuring proper attendance despite all odds”, says Dr H.R. Srinivasa, Chief Academic Officer, Principal, Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT).

Indian Institute of Fashion Technology believes in creating designs that would motivate the person wearing those designs fall in love with its designer.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Promoting Innovation and Creativity One of the leading colleges in Design and Fashion, IIFT was established in 2001 by Late Sri.B.Vedhagiri, Founder Chairman, with almost 3000 student success in the garment industry and entrepreneurs. Mrs Rajeswari Vedhagiri is presently at the Helm of affairs as the Chairman, Director, working to upgrade and develop the Standard of Education by introducing various innovative techniques In Marketing, Academics and also motivating Students & Staff for sustaining IIFT Brand Image and market share. With seven branches in Karnataka, IIFT is well connected with the industry, which has helped them provide regular exposures to fashion and lifestyle designers to their students. Creating a group of high calibre professionals in the areas of Fashion and Apparel Technology, Dr Srinvasa says, “We aim to facilitate cutting edge competitiveness and high premium branding to India’s Apparel in the global market”. Going for a more practical approach, the students are encouraged and supported in selecting themes and design fashion garments for annual fashion shows and provided with an opportunity to create their own crafts for the university internship exam.

ABOUT

DR H. R. SRINIVASA PRAKASH Dr Srinivasa is a highly accomplished professional with over three decades of rich experience in spearheading Academic, Administrative and Industrial assignments, business operations with a key focus on top-line profitability and optimal utilisation of resources. With 15 years of teaching experience, he is a keen planner, strategist & implementer with demonstrated abilities in setting up and ensuring the smooth functioning of overall operations and enhancing operational efficiency with excellent Management skills and Inter-Personal relations.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

“We also conduct debate, brainstorming sessions, and group discussions by selecting general and technical topics and sponsoring the students for inter-college competitions. We also initiate the students to frame Future Career Plans, identify their potential and giving opportunity for them to work with Expert Mentors to fine-tune and establish a proper platform to build and achieve their goals, objectives,” explains Dr Srinvasa. Taking students for regular industrial visits and market surveys, IIFT conducts ‘Fashionite’ every year to give an opportunity to them to showcase their innovative designs where an external panel of judges awards the best designers. IIFT students also participate in other Fashion shows conducted by Bangalore Fashion Week, Deccan Herald Fashion shows. Students are also given an opportunity of International Exposure by having special Internships and accomplish regarding the World-class Innovations in fashion Apparel Products at American Paris Academy, Paris.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

IIF has extensive infrastructural facilities and training modules in its Fashion Designing Courses that provide students with detailed understanding about the various nuances of the fashion world.

Every year, the institute conducts various other activities such as Spectrum week, Sports day, Fresher’s day, Founder’s day, Ethnic day, Yoga Day, Talents day, Cultural events, besides organising workshops in Boutique set up, Illustration, Draping, Painting, Block Printing, and Hat making.

Growing with the college, the students have achieved eight ranks in Bangalore University and Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University during the last five years. Students undergo Intensive Internships in Major Apparel Industries to learn the Practical areas of Designing, Garment making methodologies and Techniques, which will make them more competitive once they get into the Job Careers. IIFT is also very active for the social cause, the motto of integrating social objectives in its growth and development: activities carried out such as- wall painting, environmental activities (plantation of trees, seed ball making), training of NGO kids, women empowerment. During the previous few years, IIFT conducted Blood Donation Camp through the Rotary club Bangalore, wherein staff members and students of IIFT donated blood. Faculties and students invited housewives of Economically Weaker Sections from nearby localities and trained them on embroidery and block printing skills on Kurtis and the finished garments were sold to general public and the proceed of the sale were distributed among the participants to motivate them to continue the work. Last year IIFT organised a free training program for underprivileged girl children staying in SO Care Ind. More than 50 girl children participated in the workshop, and staffs and students of IIFT trained the girl children in making hand pouches, key chains with simple embellishment on the pouches. This year also, IIFT organised a free workshop on 14 Feb 2021, at an NGO - SPARSHA TRUST, with the help of Faculty Members and Student Volunteers of IIFT. During this workshop, 70 inmates(girls & boys) of the Trust, were trained on Screen Printing & Stencil Printing, for making of Wall Hangings. The purpose of the training was to empower inmates with the skill of printing and empower students for involvement in social service activities Collaborating with renowned industries such as Arvind, Shahi Exports, Gokaldas for Mutual Industry-Academic Development

and Promotional Activities, IIFT conducts Career Guidance Programs both by Internal Faculties and Industry Experts to give their students a better insight to what to look out for and counsel them to choose a suitable career.

Securing 80% placements in 2019-20, where the placement range was always around 98% during the previous years, the students of IIFT have got jobs in well-known companies like Tailorman, Reliance Trends, Shoppers Stop, Tommy Hilfiger, Finesse, Arvind Lifestyle, Chola Design House, Collage Shop India, Angadi Galleria, So Designs, PN Rao, Lemax Jeans, Gokaldas Intimate Wear, Fewdot Creative Solutions, Shraddha Design House, Bysachima Design House, and Quadline Clothing Co. Adding new courses like Fashion Communication, Journalism, Styling and Photography, IIFT has conducted crash courses on Fashion Styling, Fashion Journalism, Fashion Illustration, Fabric Studies, Apparel Production, and Fashion Forecasting. “We are also organising more industry visits to improving and exploring placement opportunities. We are also in talks of developing our virtual library and expand their skill development program across selected rural sectors in Karnataka, to make a mark in the Academia and Industry of Fashion”, concludes Dr Srinivasa.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

EXPERIENTIAL VIRTUAL EVENT TECHNOLOGY TO WIDEN CAREER PROSPECTS FOR INDIAN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN TIER 2&3 CITIES Piyush Gupta, President, Kestone

54 Piyush Gupta began his career at Ceasefire Industries Ltd as Key Account Manager. He joined Kestone in 2005 as a fresher in the operations team and moved quickly to manage key clients for Kestone. From there on in 2007, moved to Delhi to manage the branch and then to heading the business team. When Career Launcher acquired Kestone in 2008, he became part of the management committee which was also responsible to run the organization. In 2012, Piyush took over the role of President and was given the responsibility of running the organization. The role continues, just that the scope now has expanded as Kestone has become a global organization.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Virtual Platforms have already hosted some really successful career fairs and these benefited a lot of job seekers

ver the last decade, digital transformation played a significant role in the democratization of education. Proactive initiatives by the government on a national level to modernize education were driven by digital imperatives. This not only made education accessible to everyone, it particularly helped the large population of talented & young professionals in Tier-II & Tier-III cities to widen their career prospects. The aspiring professionals from these cities can now get access to opportunities from around the world which were earlier beyond their reach, in-spite of being qualified & skilled. The benefits of digital technologies have been realized more deeply only when the pandemic disrupted everything without any warning. Roughly over 10 Million people lost their jobs in India and the wide gap between demand & supply could only be bridged with the next phase of innovation.

Experiential virtual event technology is a major step in the direction and it emerged as one of the key tools for business continuity. The potential of this new technology has been felt across industries and exploring possibilities have become a key feature of these virtual platforms. India has been a favourable country to support the strong start-up ecosystem and the country has a history of producing some of the successful entrepreneurs form the Tier-II & Tier-III cities. Experiential virtual platforms have actually opened new doors for them as now they can set-up their businesses without taking the burden of physical establishment and operational bottlenecks. Often termed as ‘virtual universe’, these experiential platforms can do a lot more than just engagements. With innovative technologies at our disposal, these virtual event platforms can be customized for practically anything. For a young aspirant who is planning to start his/her own retail operation or

Higher Education Digest February 2021

want to sell his/her products or services, these virtual platforms can be the perfect platform to set-up a virtual store. Moreover, they can build a business based on the data driven insights that these virtual platforms provide through various in-build intuitive features. The virtual platforms can not only boost entrepreneurship as a sustainable career option in these cities, but can also help in staying relevant. The market scenario has gone through a major transformation in the last one year. With remote work in place along with increased consumption and dissemination of digital data, these virtual event platforms are ideal to tap into the market. Increased attention span and time spent on mobile can also be leveraged by the aspiring entrepreneurs from Tier-II and Tier-III cities to build a career. As far as job prospects are concerned, these virtual platforms have already hosted some really successful career fairs and these benefited a lot of job seekers from these cities since they could connect with companies remotely, without undertaking the risk of travelling. Most of the job fairs hosted virtually on these experiential virtual platforms saw active attendance and it has actually become the new normal to explore career prospects.

Piyush Gupta

Higher Education Digest February 2021

The benefits of digital technologies have been realized more deeply only when the pandemic disrupted

These virtual experiential platforms are also offering greater value in comparison to job portals. The job portals are no longer ideal since it has become algorithm based, so getting noticed to the recruiters is a challenge. It is even more challenging for the young Indian professionals and aspirants from the Tier-II & Tier-III cities to connect. Virtual platforms seem to have solved this problem as it the professionals can interact and network in real-time and can also drive insights form the interactions. This makes interaction seamless and effective as compared to the portals where communication is one-way most of the time. Now a lot of people confuse experiential Virtual platforms with web-conferencing apps. But there are clear differences between the two. In the first place, web-conferencing apps are designed for interaction with smaller groups and is ideal for hosting workshops, training sessions or internal meetings. In a typical web conferencing environment, there is usually one key presenter who interacts via webcam on a specific topic and on the other side there are attendees or respondents who interacts by posting questions and queries during or after the session is over. In more general term, a web-conferencing app is a simple app-based interface. Whereas, virtual platforms are more extensive and inclusive. In simple terms, it is an extension or replica of a big format engagement but with more flexibility and options. In a digital first environment virtual platforms make it easy to engage with a larger audience through seamless social media integration and this works effectively when it comes to further one’s career or find suitable opportunities. Experiential virtual event platforms are AI enabled and comes with intuitive attendee management tools. But in web conferencing apps this feature is missing. While hosting a virtual event, brands can have the flexibility to measure their event performance real-time which in turn can generate insights on the overall ROI. While in webinars the results and feedbacks are somewhat instant, virtual event platforms can be leveraged as an effective lead generation tool. Apart from these, a virtual platform comes with various formats as opposed to unchangeable webinar spaces, thus giving audiences absolute flexibility on how and where they want to consume the experiences. As far as the accessibility and scalability are concerned, virtual platforms are designed to be highly user friendly. With a simple sign-up one can get access to a platform and the experience is extremely fluid. The platforms are equipped with robust security features since they deal with a lot of useful data. The experiential virtual platforms are also highly scalable and it can be a great tool for professionals from the Tier-II and TierII cities and browse through infinite possibilities.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

JD INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY WORKING TOWARDS A BETTER NORMAL

he design industry does not function in a vacuum. It is constantly shaped and re-shaped by its consumers, cross-cultural interactions, the political scenario, the economic conditions, and other variables,” opines Rupal Dalal, Executive Director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology. Fashion was one of the worst affected industries when the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. It resulted in the closure of manufacturing units, the retail stores, cancellation of events, delays in distribution cycle, and so on. Rupal Dalal adds, “As designers, we are here to solve problems, and many brands and designers repositioned their companies to reach out to the desired consumer segment. The pandemic has given everyone a chance to introduce more ethical thinking, better business models, a circular approach, and effective inventory management.” JD Institute of Fashion Technology being one of the most prominent design institutions hosting thousands of students across over 40 campuses took the responsibility to lead by example. “We took the challenge of making sure remote or online learning was as effective as on-campus learning through various strategies. When I talk about our administration team, I believe collaborative work increased, and productivity within specific departments increased in the initial part of the lockdown,” shares Rupal Dalal. With JD Institute delivering design education, a substantial part of the curriculum demanded practical and experiential learning, and the management team was quite adamant that it would not be compromised. “Within the first weeks of the lockdown, our faculties were briefed about the latest online format and created interactive

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Established in 1988, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, the multiple award-winning Design Institute with 38+ learning centers across India, is nurturing masterminds from all over India to translate their dreams into success.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Message from Chandraakant Dalal, Founder, JD Institute of Fashion Technology “For over 30 years, JD Institute of Fashion Technology has led the way in moulding young imaginations for successful, glamorous careers in the world of fashion. Across the spheres of fashion, interiors, jewelry, fashion photography and make-up artistry, we have groomed and sent out over 100000 graduates into the world. Time and again, students and their parents express doubts about their inadequate talent to take on the tough, exciting world of design. And I tell them the same story. All you need is the ability to draw a straight line and curious, adventurous imagination, one that seeks to find the simplest thought and turn it into something beautiful. That and the willingness to work hard is all it takes to succeed.”

Higher Education Digest February 2021

presentations. They devised learning processes that could be done within a house setup,” says Rupal Dalal. However, the institute had students from all over India and each city’s digital infrastructure varied, making online lectures a little tricky in the first month. JD Institute found the solution by recording each lecture to ensure any connectivity issue or electricity shuts downs did not result in misinformation. The institute also shifted practical subjects to the next semester, ensuring students’ understanding of any module was not affected due to online learning. On the other side, the pandemic helped the JD Institute team to spend quality time with their family members, which then reflected in their work. “It was interesting to see everyone’s homes and the little working desk that everyone had created,” adds Rupal Dalal on a lighter note. In respect to academics, JD Institute understood

About RC Dalal, Founder, JD Institute Fashion Technology RC Dalal is a man of exuberance and charisma who has touched the lives of innumerable people and transformed their lives. A mentor and guide by profession, his gamut of knowledge and experience, drove JD Institute towards its impeccable success. One of the major milestones was the establishment of JD London in the year 2012. It is now touching heights with its multiple international collaborations such as India Fashion Week London, Moscow International Film Festival and many more. The participation of JD Institute at the Bollywood Film Festival Russia, Indian Film Festival Poland as the Fashion Partner, under RC Dalal’s supervision is revolutionary. An inherent visionary, he successfully created an academic and culturally diverse student population who will scale to be global and productive citizens of the world of art and design. The undisputed legacy cemented by him will be carried forward by his prodigies, who will fulfill their dreams through the guiding light shown by RC Dalal’s unmatched vision, mission and passion.

To cater to the ever-growing market, JD Institute offers a plethora of courses in the field of Fashion Design, Interior Design, Jewellery Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion and Lifestyle Entrepreneurship, Fashion Business Management, Visual Merchandising, Fashion Photography, and Hair and Make-up Artistry.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

the need for quick design thinking skills introducing projects and assignments that would help students use creative thinking to counteract extreme conditions like earthquakes, floods, contagious diseases, etc. “The industry is more mindful of its carbon footprint. The breakdown of the linear fashion economy has to lead to more sustainable strategies that, as an institution, we highly motivate,” pinpoints Rupal Dalal. The disruptions of the pandemic have also led to ground breaking innovations while creating small pockets of momentum. The New World of Opportunities Rupal Dalal says, “In respect to the job opportunities of fresh graduates, specific job profiles have become obsolete. With minimum human-to-human interaction, digital infrastructure has been strengthened, opening a huge gap. Design students could develop skills in the following areas- fabrication, inventory management, virtual showroom designers, datadriven design, digital analysts, experimental patterns, and garment construction.” JD Institute of Fashion Technology

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Rupal Dalal, Executive Director

offers a specialized curriculum in design fields like fashion, interiors, jewellery and communication. The institute imparts skillsets, aiming at the holistic growth of the student. “We teach them to be competitive spirit to be the best in their chosen field and yet groom them to be rooted. The curriculum has a methodological approach towards honing the best in each candidate,” shares Rupal Dalal. By the time the students are ready to move out of JD Institute, they are aesthetically, technically, and technologically skilled to adapt to the industry’s requirements. The institute prepares them to take up a job as per their specialization field or choose to be entrepreneurs depending upon their career path selection. JD Institute has introduced a hybrid learning model to make the learning process more effective and seamless throughout. The college also invites international speakers to help students understand how design is intercepted in different parts of the world. Rupal Dalal says, “The

outcome of any design project might be the same, but the process or approach used to arrive at the product is very crucial through the tasks they do. We need our students to be humans first and then designers.” The Making of Global Designers At JD Institute, Rupal Dalal oversees all academic departments, curriculum development, academic development, pedagogical growth, academic system planning, designing and academic quality assurance.She believes that her contribution to education is a means to build the design future of the country. Rupal Dalal opines, “The worlds your oyster, is something that we tell all our students. There isn’t an extra module or a workshop at the institution to get them ready, and rather, there’s an entire well-curated curriculum that prepares them for the world.” Indeed, the learning does not curb any aspiring designer to restrict his/her talent to an Indian market but instead prepares them to anticipate how its prototype would be

Providing students with the right kind of industry exposure has always been a priority at JD Institute.

received worldwide. “The job market in every country is very different, but the only thing common is that talent and skill are always appreciated. JD Institute does provide a safe platform for its students to put their learning to the test,” shares Rupal Dalal. The institute works with the London College of Fashion and Chelsea School of Art on multiple design courses created for Jediiians, culminating in actual professional styling shoots and exhibitions. Besides, to help understand the business aspect of design (essential), JD Institute

Higher Education Digest February 2021

sponsors India Fashion Week London, where its students showcase and interact with buyers worldwide. “We have also partnered with Indian film festivals worldwide, where our students have had the opportunity to showcase and interact with consumers from countries like Norway, Vietnam and Russia,” adds Rupal Dalal. Being an educator for the past 33 years, JD Institute has collaborated with renowned brands, global communities, professional skill providers, and international fashion weeks to help Jediiians get an extra edge over others. “The amount of knowledge and talent exchange that happens with each of our partners is tremendous and beneficial for aspiring designers. This prepares the students for the professional world nationally and internationally, states Harsh Dalal, Director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology. As the Director, Harsh Dalal spearheads the expansion in India and abroad. Under his vision, the institute has expanded and grown immensely.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Today, JD Institute collaborates with India Fashion Week London, University of the Arts London, Cumulus, WGSN, IIID, JNTE- CSD, Subharti University and Adobe, to name a few.The institute proudly boasts of 100 per cent placement assistance. “The passing out batches are groomed with personality development, resume building, portfolio review, group discussion, interview etiquettes, and mock interview sessions before applying in the industry. Our students are ready to meet the expectations of the industry and very aptly adapt themselves,” pinpoints Harsh Dalal. The institute provides internship and placement opportunities for students from all fields. The students get placed with reputable fashion designers like Ritu Kumar, Shantanu & Nikhil, Rina Dhaka, Anju Modi, and many more. The JD Institute students are placed with fashion buying houses like Triberg, Newtimes, and multinational retail brands like H&M, Zara,

Harsh Dalal, Director

JD Institute is a member and associated with various prestigious bodies like Cumulus, Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indo French chamber of commerce and Industry, the council of EU chambers of business in India.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Armani Exchange, Uniqlo, and many more. The interior design students have been placed with ace designers like Manjeet Bhullar, Lipika Sud, Nikhil Segel, Nilanjan Bhowal to name a few designers, Hulsta, Hackers, Filo Designs, Pepperfry, Essentia Environments, Monica Khanna Designs. Jewellery students got placed with Tribhuvandas Bhimji Zaveri, Art Karat, etc. The opportunities are umpteenth, and the students benefit from them. In-Tune with the Industry As a pioneer of design education, JD institute has contributed to the industry for more than three decades now. Akshra Dalal, Director of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, opines, “The design industry is continuously evolving and requires frequent revisions in the skill sets needed by the students. A strong network, industry professions, and collaborations keep us well informed about the skills necessary, enabling us to be constantly relevant to the industry.A versatile combination of student counsellor, corporate trainer, curriculum developer, and advisor, Akshra Dalal spearheads JD Institute’s academic endeavours in India and abroad. She adds, “As per the need of the hour, we have introduced niche courses in fashion, interior, jewellery, business management, and communication that serve the industry’s needs. Consequently, our students can get lucrative internships and placements.” JD Institute follows a hands-on approach as a preferred pedagogy for effective learning. The institute has wellequipped laboratories on campus, which allows the students to gain in-depth knowledge and technical expertise in the

Higher Education Digest February 2021

JD Institute’s mission is to change how people perceive design and make India one of the Design Hubs in the world.

chosen area. Students can work on campus in the laboratories beyond their scheduled sessions as well. The institute houses laboratories for pattern making, garment manufacturing, draping, textiles, interior design studios, interior resource room, jewellery manufacturing, which all cater to different design streams. A well-equipped library serves as a place where students can devour knowledge through various books, magazines, and relevant study material. “A quality education is always dependent upon the curriculum and the people delivering the curriculum effectively, i.e., the faculty. We feel proud to have a strong faculty team on board, seasoned industry professionals with a gamut of industry and academic experience,” claims Akshra Dalal. JD Institute’s faculty members are well versed with technical knowledge and have years of experience to back them up. The team comprises practising designers, entrepreneurs, architects, and interior designers, which ensures the delivery of knowledge effectively, making the learning process beneficial to the students. “Further to that, we also invite relevant international speakers who help students develop a more holistic understanding of current and anticipated future trends for more inclusive learning,” adds Akshra Dalal.

Akshra Dalal, Director

The Conclusion The institute’s vision of being recognized at a global level has now translated into reality. Rupal Dalal proudly says, “30 years back, the institution was started with a founding principle of making “quality design education accessible to all.” After 40 campuses in India, we still are working on identifying aspiring designers and giving them the right platform to refine their skills.” JD Institute ensures that no student should ever be denied quality education due to his/ her location or financial restrictions. On the other side, JD Institute wants its students to be better citizens and ethical beings. “Youth has the power to change the future, and it’s essential to nurture young minds. For that sole reason, we introduced a module called “human-first,” where we talk about relevant issues and try to understand how every individual can help curb its effects,” shares Rupal Dalal. A designer needs to be empathetic to its surroundings, and there is no better way to do that than initiate a dialogue around it. “We also have a lot of curriculum updates which I cannot disclose on this platform, but these are going to be very important changes for the Designers of Tomorrow. Our international projects are already on standby, and we wish to resume them once we reach our ‘better normal’ instead of the ‘new normal,’ concludes Rupal Dalal.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

FASTRACK YOUR

CAREER WITH THESE NEW-AGE COURSES Kanishk Duggal, CEO, Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI)

Kanishk Dugal is the Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of ICRI. With more than 16 years of experience, Mr Kanishk is a lead educator in the new age. He has several awards and honours to his name such as India Today Award and President Award. He operates to make Indian youth job-ready and equipped with the right skill-sets across industries.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

The Indian automobile market is set to reach a benchmark growth mark of USD 16.5 billion by 2021

n the modern age and time when the world is evolving at a rapid pace, some things are not coping up. Education, for instance, is a prime example where things are still the way they were about 50 years ago. Even though there are some new courses and academic programmes that are trying to bring that change, they are not enough. While these courses are trying to change the scene, they are usually targeted at a specific segment of people who want to master a certain industry-oriented, job-friendly skill. In some cases, these individuals are already masters of some specific skill set and want to polish them further. Going ahead, that cannot be the way to change the education industry. As businesses, technology, and innovation will evolve, they will require skilled individuals, who have a good understanding of analytics along with a creative bent of mind. The traditional education system and courses fail to inculcate such features

in individuals. That’s why there’s a need for newage, path-breaking courses that shake and shatter the status quo in the education sector and bring in a much-needed sense of relief for the industry. While the list of institutes offering such courses is not long, some establishments are making a mark with their innovative approach to education and unique courses that are futuristic and are producing future-ready workforce. ICRI comes across as one such name that is offering such courses that are a mix of traditional roots, innovative outlook, futurefocused and industry-oriented approach. There has been a huge change in the job roles now that demands specific skill sets and the recent changes brought on global level, it is evident that future job roles will demand candidates with industry specific skill sets or competencies. Hence the best way to find the right job is to find the right industry specific professional course at undergrad or post graduate level.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

tracing an upward graph, which On that note, here’s a list of is only going to get stronger. For new-age courses that will help people with an avid interest in you fast-track your career and the automobile industry, there overshadow others from day one. has never been a better time to pursue a career in the same field. MBA in Healthcare and Currently, the Indian automobile Hospital Management industry is one of the biggest in In the current age and time when the world, and several notable the world has evolved into a automobile companies such as giant interconnected family, it TATA Motors, Tesla Inc., Kia has become nearly impossible Motors, BMW, Hero Motocorp, to predict the next health hazard Ford Motor Corp., and others and its origin. Even if the health have already planned their threat is identified in the early expansion in the Indian market. stages, it can travel across the The Indian automobile market globe at a rapid pace, wreaking is set to reach a benchmark Kanishk Duggal havoc all across. COVID-19 growth mark of USD 16.5 billion is a recent example of such a by 2021, creating 65 million possibility. That’s the reason why additional jobs. You can earn the requirement for healthcare your place through courses like MBA in Marketing and professionals will see a constant rise in the future. Several Automobile Management. pieces of research suggest that the healthcare industry will need nearly 250,000 professionals in the next five year BBA in Business Analytics & Data Science only. An MBA in Healthcare and Hospital Management In the modern age, the business structure is changing can help you make your mark in the healthcare industry. rapidly, and even the most traditional industries are shifting focus to data accumulation and analysis. In this BBA and MBA in Aviation Management digitally-driven age, data is of utmost importance, and Aviation has always been and will continue to be a booming businesses are realising the hidden potential that can be sector. Now that the industry is reviving after a setback unearthed through successful business and data analytics. because of the Corona virus, multiple expert reports Since businesses are opting for a data-driven approach, predict that the hospitality and aviation industry will trace it is also creating several lucrative job opportunities with a significant upward trajectory in the next two years. The attractive pay packages. The data science jobs are also aviation industry is all set to attract huge investments for touted as one of the sexiest jobs of the 21st century, and workforce and infrastructure expansion. Not just that, also offer a great work-life balance along with amazing trends also suggest that the aviation industry will achieve growth opportunities. You can also be a part of this dataalmost 100 per cent growth in the coming few years. The driven revolution through courses like BBA in Business Indian aviation scene will require 2.5 lakh to 5 lakh people Analytics & Data Science. within the next few years for expansion in new areas. Since the Indian government is also showing significant BBA Logistics & Supply Chain Management interest in aviation through its initiatives such as UDAN The e-commerce industry has proved its potential in the (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik), regional airport development last decade. With companies like Amazon, Alibaba, and and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), things look Flipkart raking in the biggest profits across industries, it is bright for the industry, and you can make your mark with a matter of no doubt that the e-commerce industry is one courses like BBA and MBA in Aviation Management. of the best growing right now. The Indian logistics industry will require nearly 30 million people by 2022, such as the MBA in Marketing and Automobile Management kind of growth this industry is tracing. It is also one of the With the advent of electric cars, Tesla’s arrival in India, industries with best growth opportunities where starting air taxis, and hyperloop, we can say that the future salaries range anywhere between 3.5 lakh to 5 lakh and of mobility is already here. The best things about the can double in just five to seven years. automobile and mobility industry are that it is already

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Want to Sell or find Investor for your Business? 71

Higher Education Digest February 2021

KIIT SCHOOL OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY BLENDING FASHION EDUCATION WITH TECHNOLOGY 72

ashion is an international and highly globalized industry, with clothing often designed in one country, manufactured in another, and sold worldwide. The fashion industry has long been one of the largest employers. However, by any measure, the clothing industry accounts for a significant share of world economic output. Fashion is big business, and it is ever-changing, versatile, creative. there are various types of opportunities—creative jobs in design and marketing; retail sales and buying positions; and corporate careers in finance, planning, and distribution. “With its rigorous hours, capricious culture and wobbly corporate ladder, the fashion industry is meant for dedicated persons Employers in the fashion industry seek individuals who possess the following skill sets: organized, open-minded, creative, assertive, thick-skinned, professional demeanour, and verbal and written communication,” says Prof. Himanshu Khatua, CEO, KIIT’s School of Fashion Technology (KSOFT). KSOFT was incorporated in 2009 by educationist and entrepreneur Dr Achyuata Samanta to add a decorative feather to KIIT University. Initially having a four-year degree in Fashion Design, the institute introduced Textile Design as a specialization in 2015. “We envision to establish a centre of excellence and produce design professionals to lessen the gap between Industry and Academia, giving a new direction to Creativity

Higher Education Digest February 2021

KIIT School of Fashion Technology (KSOFT) under KIIT Universiy came into the limelight in 2009 to create professionals in fashion design and textile design to cater the needs of Industry.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

and Sustainability in the Fashion and Textile World”, opines Prof. Himanshu. Equipped with WiFi and Internet Accessible Digital Projector in Classrooms, KSOFT also houses the CAD lab, Pattern making Laboratory, Garment Stitching Laboratory, Print Design Laboratories, Computer Embroidery Sample Tailor Machines, Dyeing Laboratories, Departmental & Central Library for online and Off-Line Research &Books Accessible to students. Preparing students through advance online classes and expert webinars in relevant subjects just before the Pandemic Outbreak, KSOFT has proactively taken care of its students for higher education in foreign universities as well as be prepared as the situation changes in Fashion & Textile Industries in term of students engagement in tie-up with foreign Design Institutions for additional value addition in accessing online course as per Industry requirements as multi-skilled development. “We had prepared in advance online classes and experts webinars in relevant subjects even before the pandemic outbreak, which made it easier for us to cope with the lockdown and post-pandemic world”, says Prof. Himanshu. The faculties of KSOFT are alumni of NIFT, NID & London School of Fashion, NIFD with Master in Design and Ph.D. in Design, SCM, Fashion Stylization, with 5-24 Years Industry & Academic Work Experiences & Research & Publication Activities. “Each Year All faculty members regularly undergone 15-30 days training in their Domain

Higher Education Digest February 2021

The 3D Printing Workshop was conducted by Mr. Chitaranjan Sethi coordinator cum CAD Design Engineer of KIIT at KIIT TBI Incubation Centre.

Area through Faculty Development Program ( FDP) organized by the University and in Relevant Industry, International Seminar /Conferences / Workshops. our faculty members are encouraged for Research Project / Research Publication etc., as per guidelines of UGC’’, adds Prof. Himanshu. Making Students Industry-Ready Getting a foot in the door of the fashion industry may be daunting. It’s an extremely competitive world where cool creatives and sassy strategists have to work together to keep up with rapidly changing trends and a demanding audience who are spoilt for choice. That being said, fashion careers can be very alluring to young, inventive university graduates whose love for the fashion industry is only paralleled by their determination to leave their mark on it. In this article, you’ll learn how to get your stilettoclad foot in the door. Various National Reputed Apparel & Textile Manufacturing Companies are Associated with Regular ON /OFF Campus and offering Job Placement to 70 % Students and rest 20% chosen higher study in Foreign Design Universities and 10% students opted for Startup of 2020 Graduates. “70 % students Graduating in 2021 offered Pre Placement Offer (PPO) in companies like KPR Apparel Group -Coimbatore, 20% -students have been offered as Internship cum Placement in Reliance Trends, ICONIC Retail Brands, TOMMY HILFIGER, ZARA Retail Ltd, FOREVER Retail Brands, Pantaloons Retail Brands ( ABFRL- Aditya Birla Group ), FBB Fashion Retail Brand (Future Group), BEST SELLERS Retail Brand, ARVIND MILLS. Etc”, says Prof Himanshu. Fashion education is digitally growing to foster new skills: 3D virtual prototyping, sustainable development, future skills in the apparel industry. Like any other sector, Fashion Institutions capture the opportunity of digital learning, and edtech companies meet the challenges: increasing resilience, training faster and better, to bridge

Graduation Show “Kirti Kalpna 2019 “ of Design Graduate Students of Batch 2015-19 batch

a gap of knowledge or learning new skills. “We are determined to create a center of excellence with qualitative education, creative exposure, state of the art research, conceptualization skills, and technical expertise, well-researched teaching methodology, industry linkages and intellectually stimulating cosmopolitan environment”, concludes Prof. Himanshu.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

HOW

3D PRINTING AND EDUCATION SECTOR ARE COMING TOGETHER Swapnil Sansare, CEO, Divide by Zero

76 3D printing plays a decisive role in exposing eager learners to the practical application in different domains, including and not restricting to Science, Engineering, Architecture, and Math. 3D printing technology is gaining recognition in the education sector at two levels: primary and university. “3D printing technology has grown so rapidly that it is making waves across every industry. Though the technology is fairly new, its application has become so versatile and so in-demand that there is a growing need for people who can understand, operate, and provide innovation through 3D printers and 3D modelling concepts,” says Swapnil Sansare, CEO, Divide by Zero. In a conversation with Higher Education Digest, Swapnil Sansare talks about the benefits of learning 3D printing as a part of curriculum, career implications of learning 3D printing, 3D printing’s state of R&D at the university level and much more.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

3D printing came as a boon to make key equipment for use in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic

What is the importance of 3D printers in augmenting the learning experience? 3D technologies enable active and experiential learning. Virtual reality simulations enable users to interact in space or around an object in ways beyond what is possible in the real world. Augmented reality enables users to interact with an object while possessing “superpowers,” such as the ability to see through surfaces or to see data-overlying objects. With 3D printing, users can quickly create physical objects that might otherwise exist only in simulations. These functionalities enable users to gain hands-on experience with objects that might otherwise be inaccessible in teaching and learning contexts. In the medical professions, for example, VR enables students to repeat hands-on experiences that might not otherwise be possible (e.g., repeating a dissection multiple times) and to experience events that they might not otherwise be able to (e.g., diagnosing a rare condition, testing specific

types of emergency medicine). Through repeated practice, students emerge more skilled. While developing a simulated lab may be expensive, it is far less expensive than building and maintaining a physical lab. Furthermore, a simulated lab can be made available to individuals who are not colocated. Therefore, AR and 3D printing make it possible to provide lab experiences to a far greater number of users, perhaps even simultaneously. In today’s scenario, what are the benefits of learning 3D printing as a part of the curriculum? Tell us about the career implications of learning 3D printing. 3D printing technology has grown so rapidly that it is making waves across every industry. Though the technology is fairly new, its application has become so versatile and so in-demand that there is a growing need for people who can understand, operate, and provide innovation through 3D

Higher Education Digest February 2021

printers and 3D modelling concepts. The chief driving force behind the explosion in job growth and industry demand is that even traditional organizations realize the potential of 3D printers and interest is expanding with a phenomenal momentum. An increasing number of job postings call for engineers who can implement 3D printing and additive manufacturing into company processes. There are several fields where 3D printing is making a mark and revolutionizing traditional learning processes and eventually job requirements in a big way. Here are some examples: Engineering 3D printers are a rapidly advancing technology that calls for engineers who can understand, maintain, and operate the equipment. Mechanical, industrial, or software engineers will better grasp what’s involved in producing accurate working models and components for manufacturing and architectural designs.

About

Swapnil Sansare Swapnil Sansare, CEO & Founder of Divide By Zero Technologies is a robotics expert turned into entrepreneur. He has rich experience of automation and machine design. Products designed by him at divide by zero technologies have won many excellence awards. He holds India’s first 3d printing technology patent. Divide By Zero Technologies is India’s Largest Industrial 3D printer manufacturer along with partner network in India, Malaysia, Germany & UAE.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Animation and Design A related field that uses many of the same tools is 3D animation, used in many venues from web graphics to feature-length films. 3D design software is used in translating visual concepts into tangible objects. A background in 3D animation ensures you already understand the software and the modelling concepts involved. Biomedical Technology The constant demand for better healthcare treatments has also become part of the expanding market for 3D printers. Medical researchers can create working organic models and even functional arterial implants from 3D materials. Biomedical experts can lead the way in developing new medical solutions through this new 3D technology. Software Developers The current state of 3D printing software is much less user-friendly than mainstream applications, but as the technology progresses there will be opportunities for programmers who can develop

cross-platform software, better interfaces, and more features and functions that make using 3D printers easier and more productive.

AR and 3D printing make it possible to provide lab experiences to a far greater number of users

How 3D printing can be made cheaper in India through R&D collaborations with universities? 3D printing as a technology is an amalgamation of material engineering, robotics and software. If expertise from each domain is brought together, the scope for innovation is boundless. As more 3D printers become available for academic use, university researchers have explored how they might make the devices run more efficiently. For example, based on our collaborations with one of the universities in India, we are working on possibilities of implementing AI with 3d printing wherein machines can calculate errors on the go and correct tool paths resulting into better repeatability of the machine resulting into huge cost saving. What are the efforts of Divide by Zero in making 3D printing mainstream in the education sector? 3D printing plays a decisive role in exposing eager learners to the practical application in different domains, including and not restricting to Science, Engineering, Architecture, and Math. 3D printing technology is gaining recognition in the education sector at two levels: primary and university. Divide By Zero is working closely with over 50+ leading premier technical institutions in the country spanning over 10 regional states including Jammu Kashmir, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Assam, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh. Besides, the company is also actively conducting joint research programs with over 10+ educational institutes. Over the years, DBZ has helped over 500+ start-ups incubated through various educational universities across the country’s length and breadth. How universities with 3D printers are helping frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19? As manufacturing supply chains struggled amid the nationwide lockdown, 3D printing came as a boon to make key equipment for use in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Several universities and institutions across India, which already had 3D printers, started using them to make face shields and ventilator splitters, which allow a single ventilator to be used by 2-4 patients simultaneously. Companies like Divide By Zero collaborated with these universities and helped them with the required designs and expertise.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL A STEPPING STONE TO A BRIGHT CAREER IN FASHION DESIGN

histling Woods International (WWI) has always been proud of creating a holistic environment for its students. As an institute for film, communication, and creative arts, most of the WWI programmes are practicaloriented. The theoretical knowledge with practical application enables WWI students to be industry-ready at the end of their tenure with the institute. This approach has helped over 2500 alumni to make their mark across every branch of the media & entertainment (M&E) industry, in India and globally. The placement record for WWI School of Fashion stands at 83 percent with its students and alumni being placed with key organisations and brands in vital roles in the fashion industry, namely, Cherry Tex Fab Pvt Ltd, Kiaasa, IAN Fitness Ventures Pvt, Chanakya International, The Souled Store, amongst others. “While several of our alumni have secured admissions in leading colleges, globally, for further education, several others have gone on to work and collaborate with renowned fashion labels & houses as well as some have started their own entrepreneurial ventures,” says Jewellyn Alvares, HoD - School of Fashion, Whistling Woods International. At the helm of employability-endeavours, it is versatility that students from WWI are equipped with. Exposure to the different schools within WWI, exchanging knowledge and skills through common learning practices, empower students to learn and don multiple hats while gaining experience in specific fields in-depth. “We constantly try and review our strategy to encourage students to develop their creative process. It ranges from self-driven

Higher Education Digest February 2021

The acres of greenery spread around the WWI campus provide a perfect ambience to nurture creative talent.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

ABOUT

JEWELLYN ALVARES,

HOD – SCHOOL OF FASHION, WWI From being a renowned fashion designer to an expert in designing couture, customising bridalwear, and more, Jewellyn Alvares, is a man who dons many hats. For more than two decades, his specialty in bridalwear, under the brand name ‘Jule Bridal’, has

made him an expert in finer nuances in high-end tailoring practices that pan across pattern making, construction, and fine embroideries. In 2018, at the Lakme Fashion Week, he launched his menswear line under the eponymous label, Jewellyn Alvares. He is also a trained footwear designer, and his creative repertoire has been seen in international brands like Catwalk and Pavers England. Subjects of his interest include Haute Couture practices, Fashion forecasting, and he takes a keen interest in reinventing pedagogy used as effective teaching tools in fashion academia.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

conceptualisation to engagement with various forms of media resources, even if it is not about the fashion industry alone,” shares Alvares. At WWI, classroom conversations revolve around developments and innovation in every sphere. Alvares adds, “We explore faculty-to-student as well as peer-to-peer feedback and critique, as it’s a healthy way of acclimatising the students to accept feedback in a positive manner and use that to enhance both the process and the outcome. Encouraging to review the process at regular intervals greatly helps students to learn and evolve.” Collaborating with the Industry WWI’s USP is the industry exposure offered to the students via weekly masterclasses, 5th Veda sessions, workshops, practical performances, and industry visits. Each medium is a unique platform that builds a dialogue between the students and the industry in multiple ways. Alvares opines, “Industry interface is inevitable and is a major part of effective pedagogy in acquainting the learner with the working of the industry and its ways, ahead of their initiation. This enables them to brace themselves for either a smooth or turbulent landing but eventually setting a firm foot whether in a job or entrepreneurship.” The institute organises various events on campus like Alumni Engagement Month & Career Talks, where students can interact with industry professionals - some of whom are alumni of WWI. Workshops are conducted on topics that are not necessarily about fashion or design but also ones that focus on holistic wellbeing, to name a few. Alvares says, “We encourage interdepartment projects and collaborations, which aids in the learning and enable fashion students to understand the various aspects of the media & entertainment industry.”

Receiving the best in field coaching at every step, the students graduate from WWI as sound technicians and artists, being productive right off the mark.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

At WWI, students benefit from a rich educational experience that equips them to succeed in the global fashion industry.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

On the other side, WWI teaches an overview of business and entrepreneurship through an effective business of fashion curriculum. Case studies are evaluated, real and hypothetical scenarios are presented, and critical analysis based on facts, research, forecasts and projections are topics that engage the students. Owing to the holistic approach, several students have ventured on to their entrepreneurial journey. Nuum Bags by Nidhi Gala, Elvira by Pranali Oswal, Love Desi Love Pop by Rashmi Singh, are Selcouth by Richa Shah are some of the ventures started by WWI alumni. Handling Pandemic Disruptions “The Indian education system can be completely reshaped with the introduction of new technologies, learning process, and service. Though we have a long way to go before we fully utilise and put in practice the revised systems, the current COVID-19 scenario has enabled the education sector to embark on this journey of revolutionised methods,” opines Alvares. Irrespective of the given situation, WWI has ensured that the education of the students is not compromised. Adhering to government and UGC guidelines, the institute started with online classes and sessions for its students, enabling the faculties to cover theoretical portions. Though no one has finite answers in the present scenario, Alvares and his team at WWI are hopeful that things will settle soon, and the campus will once again be buzzing with the students’ zeal and enthusiasm. “As and when we can have the students come back on campus, we’ll align their practical sessions, ensuring and adhering to the safety guidelines issued,” shares Alvares. Presently, WWI is conducting online teaching and sessions to offset the fact that students cannot be physically present on campus. On the one hand, online education has its limitations, yet it also comes with great benefits and learnings. Though few disadvantages of online learning are the absence of face-to-face interaction, a sense of connection and the practical aspect of learning is missed. Alvares says, “Our major learning with regards to online teaching has been to witness and utilise it as an opportunity for better education of the students. Online teaching has enabled

Higher Education Digest February 2021

us to bring quality education to our students, breaking away from geographical boundaries.” Today, WWI brings in industry experts from across the globe to conduct masterclasses or guest lectures for the students. “Another major learning has been witnessing our students being flexible while working on their talents,” shares Alvares. WWI students and alumni have come up with some amazing work during the lockdown period, showcasing their creativity and unlocking their potentials. Alvares adds, “We at WWI believe, if you are agile and not stuck in your mind, which this generation of students is not, as they are happy to explore latest technologies and learn new skillsets, it will enable them to have extremely successful careers in the field of creative arts like fashion designing.” The Way Forward At WWI, faculty members always share their personal experiences and journey to enable the students to stay focused. Alvares explains, “Students, today, look up to their mentors as a pathfinder, shining a light on the possibilities that they can dare to tread on without fear. It is imperative to constantly show a vision and reboot the roadmap for updates and upgrades to help the students achieve the goals that they have set for themselves.” WWI’s vision has always been to create leaders and professionals in the industry. The institute has been able to

Higher Education Digest February 2021

achieve this through its versatility and stateof-the-art facilities at its disposal. “We focus on the future of the industry just as much as we consider the present. We will continue to align ourselves with reputed institutes and organisations like CILECT, Google, Reliance, RGNIYD, TISS, and many more,” states Alvares. WWI intends to further its evolution by pushing the educational advancement envelope through new programmes and dissemination. “Our goal is to provide vocational training in media and creative arts to students of smaller towns and cities all over the country, and thanks to our university partners, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), this will also continue to grow steadily,” shares Alvares. With the Mumbai campus well established, WWI is strongly looking at expansion in terms of both programme verticals and campuses. The newest addition to our academic repertoire has been the School of Event Management. Additionally, WWI is at various stages of establishing additional campuses both within India and outside, in partnership with governments and other like-minded organisations. “We at WWI believe every aspirant who wishes to make a mark in the M&E industry should be able to attain world-class education and be successful in what they do,” concludes Alvares.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

ACADEMIC VIEW

TODAY’S

YOUTH-WALKING ON THE EDGE Dr. Gitanjali Kalia, Associate Professor, Chitkara University

88 Dr. Gitanjali Kalia is a creative enthusiast by heart and an academician by profession. She has nearly 12+ years of work experience in the field as well as in education with a Ph.D. in the field of Online Advertising. Dr Kalia has authored many research papers and articles for various journals, magazines, and newspapers and also have also been the contributor of chapters to Indian Universities for distance learning programmes. A voracious reader by nature, she pens down her thoughts as a blogger. Dr Kalia’s poems have been published by Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi in a compilation and she has recently authored an ebook on poetry titled ‘Lyrical Emotions’.

Higher Education Digest February 2021

Being in the education field was talk of pride at one point of time but today it’s no less than a corporate job

ducation used to be the most respectable and honourable profession at one point of time. With changing times, education system has come over a paradigm shift. Be that admission process, teacher-student relationship, capabilities of teachers or employability of students, being a part of education system is like walking on the edge. Surfing the television channel is one of the best practice for killing time but few days back I came across a debate on national news channels about admission cut-off being 100% by the Sri Ram College under Delhi University for three hour courses. Even other colleges like Hindu College , Hansraj College, Sri Ram College of Commerce, etc had their near to 100% only like 99.25-75%. Like really!! That means students are scoring 100 percent marks in their boards which is synonym for perfection. I had goosebumps listening to that debate and mind got filled with so many questions. I got

overwhelmed with emotions like astonishment and anger and uttered what’s wrong with our education system. As we were taught during our education that no one is perfect and languages and subjective subjects are never given full marks. This hit me hard being an academician myself. How can subject like Hindi, English, Punjabi, Sanskrit, and Social Science have full marks? Being in the education field was talk of pride at one point of time but today it’s no less than a corporate job. Teachers are the employees of corporate and students are the clients of the corporate whom we want to make happy either ways. Well, I know this connotation works more with the university level students but primary education is equally important and certainly of more weightage and this New Education Policy by the government is really a hope. May be we can sustain the human values with some changes in our education policy. As per India’s Census 2011, Youth (15-24 years) in India

Higher Education Digest February 2021

say roughly around 15-18k per constitutes one-fifth (19.1%) of India’s month as a fresher and anything total population. India is expected to have less than that is not permissible 34.33% share of youth in total population to them. Money allures them and by 2020 that means the challenges are education takes a backseat. going to be tougher. No wonder the youth Without doubt, students are is much smarter and sharper these days sharper and street smart today and many are exceptional in their learning but even then experience to and performance but my concern is with handles situation and decision the majority of strength. making qualities comes over a A recent report by the Centre for period of time, thus creating a Sustainable Employment at Azim difference between a professional Premji University, State Of Working and an amateur. Students need to India 2018, noted that unemployment understand and imbibe in them among the well-educated is thrice the that they need to learn the acumen national average. There are roughly 55 Dr. Gitanjali Kalia of being professional and enhance million people in the labour force who their knowledge through learning hold at least a graduate degree, and professional traits. about 9 million of them are estimated to The approach of easily availability of marks and job be unemployed. makes them competitive, impulsive and therefore leading YouGov-Mint Millennial Survey conducted through to frequent switching of job thus contributing to more online poll of over 5,000 respondents spread across 180 of unemployment. Though there might be other reasons cities. The survey reveals that most of those aged 21 years for switching the jobs as well like work culture of the or below, and not yet working and expect a salary of at company, financial expectations, location preferences, least ₹ 30,000 per month. The report also stated that a nature of job or designation provides or expectations to large number of millennials and post-millennials want have their own enterprise. to start their own businesses rather than look for formal No wonder Youth are the biggest asset of our country employment concluded the survey. What accentuate there and providing them right direction with adequate thought process are the offers like Start-up India and environment is what the education system should work success stories of the drop outs that allure students to drive on. If you are capable, attaining a job is not a problem towards short cuts to success. and with government support that is providing provision What concerns me more is the pace at which companies for job provider rather than a seeker, more opportunities are hiring youth on such salary. Being a part of education are awaiting their arrival. All we need to work on is Skill system, I have seen a drastic change in the hiring of the development and developing right aptitude and attitude graduates and post graduates at the university level. On towards work. an average students are hired at the package of 3-5 lakh,

Higher Education Digest February 2021

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Higher Education Education Digest Digest Higher February2020 2021 October