Shillong: Shillong MP Ricky A.J. Syngkon has sought the Centre’s intervention to resolve the alleged academic and administrative crisis at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong.
Syngkon on Tuesday met Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh and urged him to immediately fill vacant posts of full-time Director, sanctioned administrative positions, and regular faculty across disciplines at the NIFT to make the institute fully functional.
The MP said the absence of stable leadership has resulted in a lack of continuity in administrative and academic decision-making, besides limiting the institute’s capacity for long-term planning and institutional development.
“An institute of national importance such as NIFT requires consistent leadership to maintain academic standards and administrative efficiency. Prolonged dependence on interim arrangements is neither desirable nor sustainable,” Syngkon said.
He further pointed out that chronic administrative understaffing and faculty vacancies indicate systemic deficiencies that are affecting both governance and academic delivery at NIFT Shillong.
Referring to last year’s academic vacancy report, Syngkon said the institute is facing an acute shortage of regular faculty members across disciplines, forcing it to rely heavily on contractual or visiting faculty. He said this has a direct impact on the quality of instruction, faculty-student engagement, mentoring, and continuity in academic programmes, thereby undermining the overall academic environment.
“These issues are inter-connected, and their cumulative impact is detrimental to the interests of students, faculty, and the institution as a whole,” the MP said.
According to Syngkon, strengthening the institutional capacity of NIFT Shillong is essential to ensure that it functions in line with the standards expected of a national institute and effectively fulfils its mandate, particularly in the northeastern region.
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Established in 2008, NIFT Shillong, located at Umsawli, is part of the prestigious NIFT network and serves as a creative hub for the Northeast, combining professional fashion education with local craft and textile traditions.
