NIFT Gandhinagar commenced its Orientation Programme 2026 for the newly admitted Fresher Batch 2026 with great enthusiasm and academic fervour at its campus. The programme was organized under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Sameer Sood, Director, NIFT Gandhinagar, and was graced by Dr. Jayanti Ravi, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, Government of Gujarat, as the Chief Guest. The event also witnessed the esteemed presence of Dr. Rebecca Reubens, Founder–Principal Designer, RHIZOME, as the Guest of Honour, along with parents of the newly admitted students, faculty members, officers, staff, and parents.

The orientation ceremony began on an auspicious note with the traditional Deep Prajwalan (lamp-lighting ceremony), followed by the rendition of the Rashtra Geet and Saraswati Vandana, invoking wisdom and blessings for the academic journey ahead.

Welcoming the gathering, Ms. Sumita Agrawal, Assistant Professor, NIFT Gandhinagar, presented an overview of the institute, highlighting NIFT's academic programmes, student-centric initiatives, industry collaborations, international exposure, research ecosystem, campus facilities, and the vibrant opportunities available for holistic learning and professional growth.

Inspiring Address by the Director

Welcoming the newly admitted students, Prof. (Dr.) Sameer Sood, Director, NIFT Gandhinagar, described the commencement of the Orientation Programme on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima as a moment of pride, gratitude, and new beginnings. He remarked that a campus truly comes alive with the energy, aspirations, and creativity of its students and expressed his delight at welcoming the vibrant new batch into the NIFT family.

Emphasizing that education extends far beyond the acquisition of knowledge, Dr Sameer Sood highlighted the importance of nurturing values such as discipline, compassion, tolerance, self-confidence, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility towards nation-building. Encouraging students to embrace every challenge with resilience and determination, he reminded them that success and failure are both integral parts of life's journey and that fear of trying often becomes the greatest obstacle to achievement.

Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, he urged students to overcome procrastination, remain persistent in their pursuits, and transform setbacks into stepping stones for future success. He also cautioned against complacency and encouraged lifelong learning, continuous self-improvement, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Highlighting the changing landscape of design education, Prof. (Dr.) Sameer Sood, Director spoke about the immense opportunities emerging in sustainability, circular economy, textile recycling, responsible innovation, and green entrepreneurship. He encouraged students to become active contributors to India's growing sustainability movement by creating innovative design solutions that generate both economic and social value.

Speaking about career opportunities, Prof. (Dr.) Sameer Sood, Director emphasized that today's NIFT graduates have limitless possibilities across fashion, lifestyle accessories, jewellery, luxury products, technology, digital media, automotive design, software companies, design consulting, entrepreneurship, and emerging creative industries. He encouraged students to define their career aspirations early, actively participate in academics as well as extracurricular activities, and make the most of every opportunity available during their time at NIFT.

Design with Purpose and Responsibility

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Rebecca Reubens inspired the incoming generation of designers by emphasizing that design is never value-neutral; every design decision reflects the ethics, values, and intentions of the designer.

She explained that design influences the flow of resources, production systems, accessibility, livelihoods, and the complete lifecycle of products. Therefore, designers hold immense responsibility in shaping societies, economies, and the environment. She encouraged students to see sustainability not merely as an environmental concern but as a holistic philosophy encompassing cultural preservation, indigenous knowledge systems, local materials, and inclusive development.

Dr. Rebecca Reubens called upon students to question conventional design narratives and advocate for the decolonization of design knowledge by developing approaches rooted in India's diverse cultural and ecological contexts while remaining globally relevant. She stressed the importance of mindful production, repairability, reuse, recycling, and responsible material choices, demonstrating that sustainability and commercial success can coexist.

Speaking about emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, she encouraged students to build collaborative relationships between technology and traditional craftsmanship rather than viewing them as competing forces. Sharing examples from RHIZOME's practice, she illustrated how computational tools and handcrafted production can together create innovative, socially relevant, and commercially viable products.

She also encouraged students to document their work, engage in research, publish their ideas, and contribute meaningfully to India's growing design scholarship. Quoting her mentor, the late Prof. M. P. Ranjan, she reminded the audience, "Never miss an opportunity to educate or be educated."

Concluding her inspiring address Dr. Rebecca Reubens urged students to cultivate moral courage, uphold ethical values, and become responsible designers capable of creating meaningful social and environmental impact. Echoing the timeless words, "With great power comes great responsibility," she reminded the young designers that every creative decision they make has the potential to shape not only products and industries but also the future of people and the planet.

Chief Guest Motivates Students to Become Thoughtful Changemakers

Addressing the students and their parents, Dr. Jayanti Ravi, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, Government of Gujarat, extended a heartfelt welcome to the new batch, especially to students who had travelled from different parts of the country to begin their educational journey at NIFT Gandhinagar. She acknowledged the excitement and emotions experienced by both students and parents, assuring them that NIFT provides a nurturing ecosystem where young minds can flourish academically, creatively, and personally.

Drawing inspiration from the keynote address, she encouraged students to cultivate the courage to question established ideas with humility, curiosity, and respect. She emphasized that meaningful transformation often begins with thoughtful reflection, empathy, collaboration, and the willingness to challenge outdated mindsets.

Highlighting Gujarat's spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive development, Dr. Jayanti Ravi, IAS urged students to embrace the abundant opportunities around them with honesty, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. She reminded them that true transformation begins from within and is guided by values, purpose, and the desire to create a better society.

She also emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition, encouraging students to learn collectively, support one another, and develop into compassionate leaders. Stressing the need for holistic education, she highlighted the importance of balancing academic excellence with emotional well-being, physical fitness, creativity, self-awareness, and ethical leadership.

Concluding her address, Dr. Jayanti Ravi, IAS encouraged students to remain consistent in their efforts, noting that lasting success is built through small, disciplined actions practised every day.

The Orientation Programme marks the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the Fresher Batch 2026, introducing students to the institute's academic culture, creative ecosystem, industry engagement, and values of innovation, sustainability, leadership, and responsible design. Over the next three days, students will participate in a series of interactive sessions, workshops, campus familiarization activities, and engagements with faculty members, industry experts, alumni, and senior students, enabling them to confidently embark on their transformative journey at NIFT Gandhinagar.

 

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