Dr.Sandhya Ravi is currently working as Professor and Principal in Nitte School of Fashion Technology & Interior Design. She graduated from Smt.V.H.D.Central Institute of Home Science with a distinction in M.Sc Textiles & Clothing and did her post graduate Diploma in Public Relations from Bharitiya Vidya Bhavan’s Harilal Bhagawati College with a first class, after her post graduation she worked for a multinational communication company named Hutchison Max Telecom as a senior Customer Relations Executive and was consecutively adjudged the best Employee of the year for two years. Later on she went on to do her second Masters in Textiles and Clothing from Smt. V.H.D.Central Institute of Home Science with a Distinction from then on her journey began as a lecturer at Smt. VHD college for B.Sc-FAD and M.Sc –Textiles Clothing and she also taught at GSKSJTI to B.Tech Textiles Technology. She has also undergone training in Lectra Software and Tuka Tech programmes related to CAD in fashion and Pattern making. Dr.Sandhya is a regular resource person at the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, constantly updating the rural artisans on techniques of dyeing with natural dyes and product development of the same. She is the Board of studies member for Fashion Technology at Bijapur Women’s University for both graduate and Post graduate studies. She is actively involved with the development of the curriculum for IGNOU’s distance learning programmes in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising. She completed her Doctorate Degree on “Design and Development of Hand Painted Apparels using Eco-Friendly Dyes” under the guidance of Dr.K.Purnima, SGL at Smt. V.H.D.Central Institute of Home Science, Bangalore University. She is involved with many NGO’s and works for the rural sector for women empowerment and training students to become entrepreneurs. She has designed clothes and developed Fashion shows for Karnataka Khadi and Village industries and to philanthropic organizations like Dr.M.C.Modi’s charitable trust, Bangalore. She has presented papers at the International and National level conferences. She has received an appreciation award by Team Tech textiles at the international conference 2009. She was awarded with the title “Fashion trendsetter” at National Fashion Week held in Tamilnadu in 2011. She was awarded the Best Teacher Award for the year 2012 by KLE Institutions, Bangalore. She was honored by the Counsel General of Mauritius for her work on Rural Artisans in January 2017. Her achievement is that her paper titled “Color in Art and Design: Painting “Eco-friendly Hand Painted Silks” was selected for oral presentation at AIC Colour Congress 2013, 12th congress of the International Colour Association July 2013, Newcastle, UK. She has been awarded the GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORD on 2nd October 2018 for social responsibility in collecting plastic bottles for recycling in association with BBMP, Go Native, Namma Nimma Cycle foundation, Bangalore.

Nitte School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

I have been inspired by my tutors and mentors, their focus, support, and motivation have made me what I am today. I am happy I can give back to academia, what my mentors did for me. I see a little bit of me in each student I teach.

Being the Principal of NSFTID, how do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your school?

NSFTID is a design college and hands-on learning is key to skill development and creativity. My students spend ample time with instructors in the nine laboratories we have. The college also arranges seminars, webinars & workshops from industry experts to fortify students' learning. Programs are put in place looking at present and future trends that will make a difference.

How does the curriculum of NSFTID, ensure the best practice of industry?

NSFTID’s curriculum is based on current and future trends. Instructional design is put in place by the experienced faculty that our college is proud of. Optional subjects in the likes of AI in Fashion & Interiors, Visual Merchandising, Finance, and Retailing are taught. Workshops with industry experts, internships, and experiential learning help in making students globally competent.

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Any insights into how your college could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

NSFTID is a college that has been gender-neutral and inclusion is key. Students & Faculty from all races and from different parts of India are here in perfect harmony.

What would you like people to know about your college they may not know?

NSFTID is a premier college for fashion design & Interior design. The college is part of the Nitte Education Trust which runs 43 institutions in Karnataka with over 25,000 students a year. NSFTID is the 1st Design College in India to be NAAC Accredited & approved.

What do you see as NSFTID greatest strengths?

NSFTID is on par with the best design colleges in India. Faculty with comprehensive experience in tutoring and handholding students for their success. Industrial exposure and experiential learning is a key element in the student’s life at NSFTID. The college has a 100% graduation ratio and students bag top honors at the university each year.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for NSFTID specifically?

Misinterpretation of the design industry opportunities, parental pressure, peer pressure in opting for higher education courses in engineering and medicine are challenges.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

The design industry offers immense opportunities and career options to students. Creativity and design are requirements the world over. Youth or students must not be misled by the opinions of others. Students will excel when they study something they are passionate about.

What are some plans that you’re currently (or will be) designing for NSFTID international affairs and/or students?

NSFTID is in discussions with colleges and universities outside the country. The college will soon offer online, short-term and summer courses in association with international design colleges.

What is the rate of admissions in your college? Has it increased from last year? 

Admissions have seen an upward trend from the lull during the pandemic.

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Ques. Do you have any extra-curricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real-world challenges?

Exposure to cultural events, sports, and competitions is part of a student’s life at NSFTID. Workshops with industry experts, field visits, internships, and experiential learning help in making students globally competent.

With the competition so high, how do you guide your students to survive in such a competitive scenario?

Students at NSFTID are trained to face stiff competition in the real world. Students go through talks and workshops on personality development and life skills.