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¾«¶«Ó°Òµ University has signed a new international partnership with Bennett University in India that will establish a 2+2 Dual Degree Program in Fashion Design to provide students with a unique educational opportunity.

This program will allow students to complete their first two years of study at Bennett University's School of Design in India, followed by two years at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ University in the United States.

Upon completion of the program, students will earn a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from Bennett University and a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design from ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ University. This agreement builds upon the Memorandum of Agreement initially signed between the two institutions on Dec. 20, 2022.

"This partnership represents ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's ongoing commitment to global education and creating pathways for international students to access our world-class fashion design program," said Marcello Fantoni, ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's vice president for global education. "By combining the strengths of both institutions, we're offering students a truly international perspective on fashion design that will prepare them for careers in the global industry."

Fantoni attended the formal signing ceremony along with Paulo Mussi Augusto, associate vice president, Office of Global Education; Zeeshan Ansari, manager of Admissions and Outreach at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's India Centre; and Senthil Kumar, chief operating officer of Bennett University.

¾«¶«Ó°Òµprogram aims to provide students with diverse cultural exposure and international academic experiences to help them develop a global outlook in fashion design. Students will benefit from the expertise and resources of both institutions, gaining insights into both Eastern and Western approaches to design, fashion business practices and industry connections. ¾«¶«Ó°ÒµMemorandum of Agreement establishes the foundation for the partnership, with further details to be developed through an Articulation Transfer Pathway Completion Agreement.

"Fashion is inherently global, and this dual degree program reflects the reality of today's interconnected industry," said Mourad Krifa, Ph.D., Margaret Clark Morgan Director of the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising. "Our students will now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultural perspectives on design, preparing them to become innovative leaders in the international fashion landscape."

¾«¶«Ó°Òµ University has been recognized as one of America's top fashion schools, with alumni working at major fashion houses and companies worldwide. This partnership extends ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's international reach and strengthens its position as a leader in global fashion education.

¾«¶«Ó°Òµdual degree program is currently in development, with both institutions working collaboratively to finalize the curriculum and course articulation. ¾«¶«Ó°Òµfive-year agreement sets the stage for a long-term partnership between the two universities. Interested students can contact ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's India Centre or the Office of Global Education for more information about the program's development and future application timelines.

For more information about ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's fashion design programs, visit www.kent.edu/fashion.