ANNE CHUNG speaks with SANGEETA YADAV about the latest trend in the fashion world and expansion plans of Raffles Millenium International
What is the latest trend in the field of designIJ
Design is always evolving and everybody is looking for something new and exclusive. The trend these days is in making eco-friendly products and creating something from the recycled material be it in the field of fashion, product design etc. This is cost-efficient and yet trendy. This fad is catching up with the young and the traditional.
What are the job prospects in this fieldIJ
In India, which is consistently developing, there are a lot of factories and manufacturing industries where there is a huge demand of designers. There are also a lot of fresh opportunities for talented designers from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Apart from opening up their own design label, fashion designers can work as fashion couture and be an in-house designer of the organisation. In fashion marketing and visual merchandising, students can work in shopping malls and showrooms. As a product designer, they can work under any brands be it automobiles or FMCG sectors.
What is the USP of Raffles Millennium InternationalIJ
We deliver international quality of education. Most of our faculty members are from across the world. And that brings a lot of added value to the school. We started Raffles in Singapore in 1990 and now we have colleges in Asia Pacific regions. In India, we have five colleges. We use advanced equipment to teach the students which are rarely available in any other institutes.
Another USP is that it’s compulsory for all the bachelor students to do three months internship in their respective fields. By the time they complete their course, 90 per cent of them get a job in a renowned organisations along with an international degree.
What are the courses offeredIJ
In Singapore we offer a lot of courses. But in India we have launched with only a handful. There is advanced diploma in design (2 years) where students are given diploma from Raffles College of Higher Education in Singapore. We have three years programme—Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design, Bachelor of Design in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor of Design in Interior Design and Bachelor of Design in Product Design. There is Bachelor of Arts (Visual Communication) in Graphic Design and Multimedia Design. After completing this course, the students will be awarded bachelor degree from Raffles College of Design and Commerce, Australia. Students pursuing bachelors degree have the option to exit the course after two years with an advance diploma.
How have you Indianised these international coursesIJ
We get our module guidelines from Australia. lecturer and programme directors sit together, study the market and modify the courses accordingly. We get proper briefing on how to teach the level, modules and what will be the structure of the course in a particular country.
What is the eligibility requiredIJ
There are four intakes in the month of January, April, July and October. For the degree courses, students have to be Class XII pass from any board with 60 per cent in English and 65 per cent in aggregate. From the IGCSE board, A level with minimum three subjects, English compulsory as one. The candidates have to appear for a RMAT (Raffles Millennium Aptitude Test) which is a I hour and 30 minute test. It covers English proficiency; logic and reasoning and creative interpretation. The short-listed candidates attend a personal interaction session by academic heads of respective departments.
What changes you would like to see in the Indian education systemIJ
Currently it is exam and result oriented. That makes the competition intense. Maybe less emphasis on the marks and more focus on the creativity and practicality would do good.
Any new plansIJ
Since we are only four years old in India, we are making a slow move towards expanding in terms of courses.