Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 234/21

MOU SIGNED BETWEEN NIFT SHILLONG CAMPUS AND NEHHDC

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Shillong, has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC), a CPSE under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India.NIFT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and the pioneering institute of fashion education in the country. NIFT Shillong was established in the year 2008 and is the first premier fashion institute of North East India. NIFT Shillong has committed itself in exploring growth paradigms and to act as catalyst in formulating the structural roadmap for apparel and allied Industry. The NEHHDC was incorporated in the year 1977 with an objective to develop and promote the indigenous crafts of the region by connecting craftsman to prospective markets and consumers and generating economic, cultural and social opportunities for creators while adding cultural value for consumers. It offers a range of products from all the eight North Eastern states. The organisation procures handicrafts and handlooms from artisans and weavers across the region and retails the same through its chain of emporia located at Shillong, Guwahati,New Delhi, Varanasi and Kevadia (Gujarat).The MoU,with an initial tenure of three years,was signed on behalf of NIFT and NEHHDCrespectively by Dr. Arindam Das, Director NIFT Shillong and Brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh (Retd.), Managing Director NEHHDC. The MoU seeks to support and enhance the professional growth and development of artisans and weavers from the North Eastern Region and the development and promotion of the Northeast Handicraft & Handloom Sectors. The main areas of collaboration are-

1.Sharing of knowledge and available resources in the professional interest of artisans and weavers from the North Eastern Region, leading to Innovative Product Development & Design Interventionin the clusters of North East as identified by NEHHDC.

2.Development of Handloom and Handicraft sector of North East India and through Outreach Programmes on Design, Technology and Business development for artisans and weavers.

3.Craft Exposure Visits by students and faculty members of NIFT Shillong in different clusters of North East India supported NEHHDC. NEHHDC will also facilitate Internships and Field Trips for NIFT students from NIFT Shillong and other NIFT Campuses as per availability of resources

4.Sharing of information and data and facilities such Resource Centre / Knowledge Management Centre available in each organization.

5.Joint Research &Development, MSME development projects, design-development projects, training programmes, workshops, seminars, conferences and fashion shows, etc.

6.NIFT Shillong will assist NEHHDC in improvement of product packaging, product presentation, labelling and branding.