(From left in second row) Vice-chancellor of Aryabhatta Knowledge University SN Guha, Governor DY Patil and National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna, director Sanjay Shrivastava with the passouts of the institute at their convocation on Tuesday. Picture by Jai Prakash

At their convocation on Tuesday, students of National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna, learnt that their education would be a lifelong process.

Their teacher: Governor D.Y. Patil. He said a degree is not a sign of a finished product but an indication that a person is prepared for life.

“Education is a lifelong process. Degrees of graduation and postgraduation are a formal recognition that a person is ready to step forward and acquire more knowledge in his chosen field,” said Patil, also the chancellor of state universities.

The lesson was aimed at 24 students of fashion design and 28 of masters in fashion management who got their degrees at the convocation ceremony of National Institute of Fashion Technology, which was held for the first time in Patna.

Since its inception in 2008, one batch of three-year fashion design and three-year management have passed out of the institute. Their convocation was held in New Delhi. Apart from their degrees, four students were awarded gold medals and cheques of Rs 11,000 for academic excellence.

Pallavi Ganguly, who got the NIFT best academic performance award in fashion management, said: “It is a great moment for me.”

A native of Pune, Ganguly is set to join Bangalore- based fashion firm Lifestyle. She plans to work at the firm to gain experience before venturing out on her own to design clothes.

“Students of the state have a lot of potential. What they need is the right motivation,” said the youth, who has spent the past two years in Patna. She added that the state and its capital have changed a lot for the better during her stay.

Other students have their own ideas about how to give a boost in the arm to the fashion industry.

“The industry needs innovation and creativity,” said NIFT student of the year winner Sneha Sen. “Students and designers should strive to explore innovative ideas.”

Her ideas found echo in the message that Aryabhatta Knowledge University vice-chancellor S.N. Guha had for the graduating students. He, too, asked them to innovate and nurture their creativity.

NIFT director Sanjay Shrivastava said the institute has a tie-up with Raymonds to provide training to weavers.