It is a privilege to lead as Director, Center of Excellence (CoEs), Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI). FDDI plays a key role in imparting education and facilitating the Indian industry by bridging the skill gap in the areas of Footwear, Leather Accessory & life style products, and because of its continuous contribution towards nation building, FDDI has been granted the status of “An Institution of National Importance” under the FDDI Act 2017.
FDDI is a premier academic and training institution dedicated to the development and growth of the Footwear & Products, Leather Products, Retail and Fashion Merchandise, and Fashion Design sectors. FDDI has Pan India Presence with 12 state-of-art campuses spread across the country. It has world-class Infrastructure & Facilities (equipped with Smart Class Rooms, Workshops with the latest machineries & equipment’s, High tech IT lab, High-end Product development center, International Testing center, a Comprehensive Library, Auditorium & Sports facilities, and In campus Hostels, etc.), created across the functional domain to ensure international standards of higher education, training & delivery for Footwear, Leather products, Retail and Allied Industries - 360° interventions under one umbrella.
The Institute has been awarded prestigious certifications and accreditations such as ISO 17025 accreditation by NABL, SATRA Technology Center- UK, and Bureau of Indian Standard Certification among various others.
FDDI offers Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in the areas of Footwear Design & Production, Production and Management and Retail & Fashion Merchandise, Leather Goods and Accessories Design and Fashion Design, besides offering short-term industry-specific programmes.
FDDI is known for nurturing high-end trained specialized professionals through its programs. The Institute has a strong Alumni base and strong industry linkage. Almost all the leading Industries of the country are associated with the Institute and have key participation in academic matters such as Programme design, curriculum upgradation, expertise lectures, academic and governing council members, etc. Due to the excellent quality of skill development, contemporary industry-oriented curriculum, and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art machines and workshops, FDDI holds an excellent record of placements in the industry.
While cherishing the journey and milestones achieved so far, we must look forward and prepare ourselves for future challenges to propel this institution to even greater heights. In the coming years, our primary focus will be on fostering interdisciplinary research, deepening industry-academia collaboration, exploring and developing new avenues of knowledge, and resource generation through knowledge transfer.
I seek ongoing support in the form of reverse mentoring by serving the institute with zeal and exuberance. Last but not least, let us explore R&D activities so that it is capable of generating innumerable ideas for human welfare. I am hopeful and confident that with everyone's support and commitment, we will achieve new milestones with ever-rising benchmarks in R&D activities and propel the Institute to new heights.
