Madhuri Singh of East Boring Canal Road is excited at the prospect of learning about fashion without spending too much of her time.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Patna, has decided to start six five-day short-term courses under its continuing education programme from July 15. . Another regular one-year course in fashion and clothing technology under the same programme will start from September 25 at a fee of Rs 65,000.

All the courses will have 30 seats each. The five-day programmes will be conducted in the evening though.

Madhuri, a homemaker and a graduate from Magadh University, is excited about the short-term courses. She said: “I am extremely interested in fashion since childhood. I completed my graduation in history in 2002 but then, there were no such courses in designing and management. But now, when I have got a chance, I am not going to miss this golden opportunity.”

Kishlay Kashyap, a faculty member at NIFT-Patna, said there are 30 seats in each course. “We will select candidates through walk-in interviews, which will be held up to two days before the courses begin. There is no age limit.”

Priyanka Bhushan, a homemaker and resident of Rajendra Nagar, who designs her own clothes is happy. “For homemakers like us it is quite difficult to join regular courses. I am free by 4pm, so it will be easy for me to join the short-term programmes.”

The institute director, Sanjay Srivastav, said: “The programmes have been developed in consultation with leading industry practitioners and academics so as to equip those who wish to join the fashion and management bandwagon in India with the right skill set and attitude.”

He added: “The courses have been reworked keeping the requirements of the fashion industry in mind. The students who would pursue the courses will be able to place themselves with the industry, pan India. They will also get a chance to explore opportunities to showcase their collections on the pla form of NIFT. This course is best fit for those individuals who aspire to make a profession out of this or develop their skills.”