The year 2016-17 will be the first academic year to offer these courses
Mumbai, 5th May 2016: Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) Mumbai , a project of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC), has come-up with a one of its kind 3 Year Graduate Program in Jewellery Design & Manufacturing Techniques with an introduction to Management studies in collaboration with Welingkar Institute of Management. With these courses in the offering, IIGJ will be the first institute in the country to offer a complete graduate course on Gems and Jewellery including Operations Management for the emerging Jewellery Professional & Entrepreneurs.
The academic year 2016-17 will be the first year of this course and the admission process is already in progress.
While commenting during the press conference Mr Vasant Mehta, Chairman, IIGJ Mumbai, was certain that this programme would definitely be accepted by the aspiring youth who are keen to make their career in the Jewellery Industry. He further mention that it is appropriate that this Institute is venturing for this Programme considering that it is also the first of its kind to introduce intensive academic course for professional in Jewellery Industry almost more than 12 years ago.
Mr Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “IIGJ has been fundamental in creating and nurturing the future of the gems and jewellery industry. The gems and jewellery industry has been growing rapidly over the years due to domestic and international demands and we are on the cusp of shortage of skilled staff in the industry. Most of the jewellers in the industry are of multiple generations. With such professional management courses we can bring new talent in the industry as well as the existing talent can be groomed.”
Also, Prof. Dr Iyer- Dean, Welingkar Institute of Management, said, “We are happy to partner with IIGJ to offer India’s first graduate programme in Gems and Jewellery. We at Welingkar have always believed in building a pool of talent who can be industry leaders of tomorrow. With these courses we will be able to contribute in the nation’s “Make In India” initiative, as skilled and trained work force will always be required in the gems and jewellery industry.”
BA in Jewellery Design & Manufacturing Techniques and Diploma in Jewellery Techniques & Management, are the full three year programmes for students with minimum Higher Secondary qualification (12th standard) in any stream. They are 6 semester courses; with each semester of 6 months period. In initial semesters, the syllabus for these courses includes introduction of jewellery, fundamentals of design, manufacturing and technology, introduction of diamond grading, jewellery designing, merchandising research etc. Gradually, the syllabus further covers specialization in design, manufacturing and merchandising, personality and skill development, jewellery management, sales & marketing etc; in later stages of semesters. The last semester has been dedicated for students for a full 6 months of internship with reputed and established jewelers or manufacturers.
IIGJ offers several other intensive courses for specific career in Jewellery Industry extending from 6 months to 1 year in Jewellery Design, Manufacturing & Cad all with a benefit of on the job training. The institute aims at nurturing the fresh talent who wish to pursue career in the gems and jewellery industry.
Post Graduate Diploma in jewellery Techniques & Management is designed specifically keeping in mind the knowledge required to train an aspirant to become an entrepreneur. Whereas other short term courses in CAD, Manufacturing, Merchandising, Diamond Grading & Gemology are designed for up gradation & skill enhancement courses which enable the students to learn key skills sets of the Industry there by allowing them to be placed in the Industry with professional skill sets.
Apart from regular jewellery educational classes for students, the Institute also conducts customized courses for working professionals, jewellery manufacturing and retailing companies (e.g.Titan Industries Ltd. ), Financial Institutions and BIS sponsored Gold appraisal courses. Years of experience of conducting diverse jewellery functional training programs, has given the Institute the wherewithal to conduct any tailor made- need based training programmes for strategic and competitive advantages for profitable fiscal results.
About Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery:
Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ), an initiative of GJEPC, under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce & Industries. The Institute is fortunate to have its own fully air-conditioned standalone four storied building, with a total built- up area of over 12000 Sq. ft. The campus reflects a commitment to quality and dedication to the creative and intellectual needs of students. The educational needs of the students are also promoted in unprecedented experiences of academic energy, exploration and challenges. The Institute is in its 12th year of existence and over 8000 students have passed out from various educational courses.
At IIGJ, a student’s education doesn’t end at the classroom door. The Institute provides an incredible variety of opportunities for students to enhance and supplement in-class learning with hands-on experiences in top jewellery companies, a list which will read like the who’s who of the jewellery industry.
The Institutes educational programs are well supported by 16 full time qualified and experienced faculties and professionals from the industry are also invited as guest speakers. Three CAD labs with an overall capacity of 100 computer stations with all licensed 3D design software, two design studios, a 45 station work bench training setup for jewellery manufacturing, 3D CAM printer, Laser welder and Fisher XRF laser spectroscope are some of the other state of the art facilities available at the institute. The Institute also has its own 60 seater air conditioned auditorium with audio-visual support.
IIGJ has recently restructured its courses to bring it in line with the requirement of the industry. The courses are now more intensive and comprehensive aiming to bring out the best in each individual. Management studies has been added as a core subject to make the students fully industry ready.
Andheri and Tardeo are the two facilities in Mumbai of the IIGJ institute.
About GJEPC
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) was set up by the Ministry of Commerce and industry, Government of India (GoI) in 1966. It was one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today it represents over 6,000 exporters in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, the GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, the GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs, and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.