NIFT tries to justify fee hike, students protest!

If you boast of land, property and flashy vehicles, and can afford daily pocket money, then why not spare some money for your NIFT education too, asks the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), as the fuming students take to the streets to protest against the proposed fee hike.

While the students are protesting against the new tuition fees, which has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 55,000 for first year and between Rs 40,000 and Rs 55,000 for the second and third year students, a rude note from the Director General’s office has further infuriating them enough to decide to not fill the forms.

The contentious note carries a questionnaire asking parents for details about the land and property they possess and the vehicles they own, with specifics such as the vehicle make. It goes on to ask parents to disclose the total family income from all sources and how much pocket money their children are given each month.

While the note states that the institute would provide financial assistance to students in need, based on family income and community, in the form of scholarships, education loans and assistantships, it requires parents to sign on this undertaking: "I have been informed that from the academic session of 2013-14 there is a proposed hike in fees for students of NIFT. I am not in a position to fund the education of my child. I would like to submit the following details for the consideration of NIFT."

If the news reports are to be believed the note from the DG's office also included a comparison of fees charged by similar centrally-funded technical institutions as well as private colleges.

“The note is totally in bad taste, if they want to compare the fee structure with other institutes, why not compare the infrastructure and placements too,” asks a student.

Earlier in 2011, the institute had increased the tuition fee by 10% only to be paid by students of first year and the batches that followed. But this time, the rise in fees applies to second- and third-year students also.