NID diploma gets degree status after House passes Bill

The passing of National Institute of Design Bill 2013 by Parliament, declaring NID an institution of national importance, has relieved more than 400 students in its Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bangalore campuses.

The Act has enabled NID to offer its own degree and PhD programmes, a relief for students who faced tremendous difficulties in getting degree qualification needed to get jobs.

From designing award winning logos to concept cars, “cool” uniforms for traffic cops and census forms, NID has been a trendsetter for design both at home and abroad.

“Despite being one of the best designing schools, we were not getting degrees which was unfair for the students,” said Harshika Pandya, a second year product designing student at NID.  “Only some universities abroad would recognize the NID certification. So for degree, students had to run from pillar to post to get recognition,” she added. This proved a particular challenge for students in getting education loans.

“Banks ask several questions before clearing the loan for the four-year NID diploma. They would ask if it was a UGC recognised programme etc. We had to explain a lot of things,” said Aakash More, another student.

“But with the recognition, things should be much easier for us.” Set up over five decades ago, NID has carved its niche as a strong brand for students here and abroad.

Despite thousands of students lining up for admissions, they were discouraged to find that they would get a mere diploma at the end of the course. However, NID authorities feel that the ability to offer degree and PhD programmes would enable the institute to lure more foreign students.

“Students from foreign countries want to enrol in our courses,” said NID director Pradyumna Vyas. “Those from the neighbouring countries and Saarc show particular interest. But not offering PhD programmes was a hurdle. Now we believe we could attract more of them.”

NID may be 41st in the list of institutions of national importance, but it is the first design institute to get that status.