Lok Sabha Question No. 2024 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Recognition of Diploma by Footwear Design and Development Institute
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2024**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMA BY FOOTWEAR DESIGN**

**AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE**

**2024. SHRI C.R. PATIL:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether diplomas awarded by the Footwear Design and Development Institute have not been recognised, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- 1.2. whether any representations have been received in this regard;
- 1.3. if so, the details thereof; and
- 1.4. the reaction of the Government on recognition of such diplomas?

### ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) 	No, Madam.

(b)-(c)	  Representations have been received with regard to grant of degrees by Mewar University to the FDDI students and not with regard to grant of diplomas by the Institute.  The FDDI was offering stand alone Diplomas to the students till the year 2007. Based on the growing aspirations of students and their parents for acquiring degree in preference to a diploma, in the year 2010, FDDI converted all PG & UG Professional Diploma programmes in specialized field of Retail, Footwear, Fashion, and Leather Goods & Accessories Design into M.Sc. & B.Sc. The degree was granted in collaboration with IGNOU to enable  FDDI students to acquire a UGC recognized degree along with sufficient professional & technical skills required in any corporate.

However, IGNOU discontinued all the programmes in the academic session 2012 when as many as 1250 students were enrolled for various B.Sc. and M.Sc. Programmes in collaboration with that University.  Requests for renewal of MOU of IGNOU with FDDI did not fructify.

In such circumstances, FDDI published an advertisement in the newspaper for empanelment of a University for award of Degree to the students pursuing various professional programmes at FDDI. In response to the advertisement  Mewar University applied for collaboration. FDDI signed an MOU with Mewar University to offer Degree programmes from academic session 2012.

As per the MoU the students were enrolled and registered with Mewar University Chittorgarh, Rajasthan from the academic year 2012. FDDI was responsible for short listing of eligible candidates for the said programmes, and providing technical and professional training at campuses.  The information pertaining to degrees being awarded to the FDDI students by Mewar University was posted on the website of the Institute as well as the University.

However, the UGC, in September, 2014, has raised questions against the MoU between FDDI and Mewar University for grant of degree to FDDI students registered for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 in light of the AICTE’s non-recognition of its degree.

(d)	The Government is making best efforts to get the matter resolved through consultations with UGC, IGNOU, FDDI and Ministry of Human Resources Development.

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