Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation between National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi, India And BGMEA

Institute of Fashion and Technology (BIFT) Dhaka - Bangladesh This Agreement is executed on 6th September, 2011 at New Delhi between National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, India through Ms. Monika Garg, Director General, NIFT, New Delhi who has been duly authorized by the Board of Governors of NIFT vide Resolution No.----- dated ------, hereinafter referred to as NIFT and shall include all its servants, agents and assigns of the FIRST PART And BGMEA Institute of Fashion and Technology (BIFT), Dhaka - Bangladesh through, Mr.Muzaffar U. Siddique President, Governing Body- BIFT, Bangladesh who has been duly authorized by the Board of Governors of BIFT vide Resolution No. 78 dated 25 th August 2011 hereinafter referred to as BIFT and shall include all its servants, agents and assigns of the SECOND PART I. ABOUT THE AGREEMENT 1.1 This agreement defines the principles, policy guidelines & procedures required which BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT) & National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) wish to develop in mutual interest. This co-operation includes exchange of students, training activities, research activities within the area of Design, Management and Technology of the two partner institutes. 1.2 This agreement will be reviewed each year and changes specifying the methods of co-operation and modalities between the partners will be incorporated with mutual consent. II. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT 2.1 Each of the two partner institutes shall designate a permanent employee of its teaching staff or management team as a representative for the management of this agreement. 2.2 Each partner institute will endeavor to provide the human, material and financial resource necessary for the running of the co-operation program specified annually. Moreover, the two institutes agree to put forth joint proposal for financial support for the activities undertaken within the framework of this agreement from regional, national and international funding organizations. III. OBJECTIVE 3.1 The objective of this agreement is to encourage international cooperation, and strengthening two institutes in the following areas: a) NIFT will provide a semester study for BIFT students while BIFT will facilitate NIFT student to carry out Internship and Graduation Project/ Research Project in Apparel Industry at Bangladesh. b) Faculty training program for BIFT c) Exposure to workshops, exhibitions and conducting special lectures d) Joint industrial projects and joint research activities IV. SCOPE 4.1 The Agreement will cover the exchange of activities between NIFT India and BIFT Bangladesh. A. FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 1. On the basis of requirement of BIFT, Faculty Development Program can be offered by the NIFT. The modalities will be worked out on the basis of the duration, gap areas, nature of workshop, place of training etc. at the time of offering the program. 2. BIFT faculty / faculty groups may come to NIFT for training or NIFT may send faculty members to BIFT to train their faculty at BIFT which will be decided in writing from time to time. 3. Detailed modalities will be worked out at the time of training programs.

B. STUDENT EXCHANGE 1. NIFT will offer a semester input to BIFT Students at NIFT India and BIFT will facilitate NIFT students to carry out Internship, Graduation Project and Placement in Apparel Industry at Bangladesh. 1 Semester at NIFT for BIFT Student = 8 -14 Weeks Apparel Internship for NIFT students + 12- 16 Weeks Graduation Project Research Project for NIFT students BIFT Student at NIFT: 2. The exchange student (s) from BIFT will undergo for the study of one semester of the Degree Program at NIFT. BIFT student will be issued a complete semester mark sheet indicating the subjects studied, credit, hours of inputs and overall performance. The classes for BIFT student(s) will be held with other students of NIFT. 3. BIFT student (s) shall be responsible for all travel costs, accommodation, meals, health insurance, semester contribution (at their home institute), medical costs, passport and visa costs, course materials (books, and consumables) and other expenses. NIFT shall not provide any financial assistance to exchange students. Internship and Graduation Project at Bangladesh Apparel Industry for NIFT students: 4. As a part of exchange, NIFT student(s) will carry out an Internship and / or a Graduation Project in the industry at Bangladesh. This complete activity will be organized by BIFT well in advance by 2 months. The duration and timing of internship and Graduation Project/ Research Projects will be communicated well in advance, since the duration of these activities varies from program to program at NIFT. Both the activities, Internship & Graduation Project, will take place in the Industry only. During this period BIFT will appoint one senior faculty as a co-guide / mentor to the student(s) carrying out the Internship / Graduation Project in the Industry. The student who undertakes the internship in the industry will be encouraged to carry out the Graduation Project in the same Industry in Bangladesh. However, in specific cases a different student can be sent to carry out the Graduation project if the student who had opted for the Internship is not willing to go there for Graduation Project. Internships : 8 to 14 weeks (Depending on Academic Program of NIFT) Graduation Projects : 12 to 16 weeks (Depending on Academic Program of NIFT) a) Internship at Bangladesh Industry: For the NIFT student(s) carrying out Internship at Bangladesh Industry, the Industry will provide accommodation and local conveyance between factory & place of accommodation. However student will have to bear all other travel expenses, lodging, health insurance, semester contribution at their home institute, passport & visa cost, course material & other unforeseen expenses. This arrangement between the Industry & NIFT students shall be planned and finalized by BIFT. b) Graduation Project at Bangladesh For the NIFT student(s) carrying out Graduation Project in the Apparel Industry at Bangladesh, the Industry in which students are carrying out Graduation project will provide accommodation and local conveyance from place of accommodation to the factory however student will have to bear expenses of all other travel expenses, lodging, health insurance, semester contribution at their home institute, passport & visa cost, course material & other expense. The Industry will also provide a stipend to the students for the duration of Graduation Project. BIFT will work out this arrangement between the Industry and the students and also facilitate the

placements for NIFT students. 5. The maximum number of students exchanged under this agreement will be limited to four students per year. 6. Exchange student(s) of BIFT who have successfully completed 6 semesters for UG program / 3rd year of degree course at the home institute will be nominated by BIFT. The applications will be submitted to NIFT & each exchange student will satisfy the admission procedures and requirements of the host department as well as the prerequisites for specific courses and programs. Admission of the student(s) will be entirely at the discretion of NIFT. 7. Language proficiency of exchange students will be gauged and verified by appropriate personnel at the home institute before nominating them. The medium of instruction at NIFT is English. 8. Exchange students will be admitted in a non-degree status by NIFT for a period of one semester. 9. On a reciprocal, NIFT shall waive tuition and related fees for BIFT exchange student(s) 10. Exchange students must carry out medical health insurance that meets the requirements of the host institute and/or the host government. Neither institute will incur liability for illness, injury, financial loss or death of an exchange student at the partner institute. NIFT and BIFT will ensure that exchange students sign liability waivers absolving both institutes of any liability. 11. If an exchange student withdraws before the end of the designated period of that exchange, the status of the other member of the exchange will not be affected. The principle of reciprocity however, must be maintained over time. 12. NIFT will provide services to assist exchange students in locating accommodation and adjusting to the academic, social and cultural life of the host institute. It will also provide instruction, academic evaluation and supervision for exchange students as is maintained for home students. 13. Exchange students are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations of the host institute and respect the cultural norms, national traditions and customs of the host country. 14. Both the institutes reserve their rights to decline the students on academic ground or if any other condition within this agreement is not met. C. STUDENT GROUPS 1. Special arrangements for groups of students from one institute to another for the purpose of a short-term visit (workshops, exhibitions, industries exposure) may be negotiated in a separate agreement. D. JOINT INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS / RESEARCH WORK 1. Faculties and the staff at both the institutes can take joint industrial projects on mutual consent with the prior written approval of the respective institutes. 2. Both the institutes have equal rights on the joint projects. 3. Prior to the starting of the joint project all the conditions will be worked out. If any faculty leaves in between, the institute will be responsible to provide a substitute 4. In the joint industrial projects / research work, liability will remain with the institute, individual will not be liable for the project. 5. Detailed modalities will be worked out at the time of taking up joint projects. V. DURATION, CONDITIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF THE AGREEMENT 5.1 This agreement becomes effective upon the signature of the designated officials of both institutes. The actual implementation will begin as soon as both institutes have identified qualified individuals in each institute ready to participate in the exchange. However, such identification must take place within 30 days of execution/coming into effect of this Agreement. 5.2 This Agreement is valid for five years from the date of signature. However, three years will be recognized as the accounting period. The numbers of the students benefiting from this agreement would be 20 each from either side by the end of 5 years. However, every effort will be made to maintain four students on yearly basis.

5.3 The absence of exchanges during one academic year is possible and does not nullify the Agreement. 5.4 In accordance with the Equal Opportunity Policies of the institutes named above, there will be no discrimination against any person, for any reason, who is qualified as a participant in the program supported by this document. 5.5 Either institute may terminate this Agreement with a notice of six months. Exchanges in progress at the time remain unaffected and will be completed in the agreed period. 5.6 Modifications may be proposed and implemented at any time, effective from the date of written notification mutually agreed upon and signed by both institutes. 5.7 At the end of the penultimate year of the five-year cycle both institutes will conduct an evaluation of the program. Any amendments to be made would be achieved by mutual consent in writing and the agreement will be revised accordingly for a further five-year cycle. 5.8 No amendment or revision of the Agreement shall come into effect unless it has been mutually agreed upon and such agreement is recorded in writing. VI. DISPUTE RESOLUTION 6.1The disputes arising out of and in connection with the present agreement shall be sought to be amicably resolved by conciliation between the Director General, NIFT and the President, Board of Governors- BIFT. In the event there is a failure of resolution of such disputes, it shall be referred to arbitration by a sole arbitrator to be duly appointed and nominated by the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. 6.2 The place and venue of arbitration shall be at New Delhi. 6.3 The applicable proper, substantive and procedural law for arbitration shall be the laws of India and the arbitration proceedings shall be conducted under and as per the provisions of the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation of Disputes Act, 1996 and the Rules framed there under. VII. JURISDICTION 7.1 All disputes arising out of the present Agreement shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts. VIII. GOVERNING LAW 8.1 The present Agreement shall be governed by the laws of India, and in the event of conflict between any laws of Bangladesh and India, the Indian law shall prevail. IX. MISCELLANEOUS 9.1 Licenses and regulations: In the performance of this Agreement both parties agree that they shall comply and shall cause their personnel to comply with all local laws and regulations, which affect the undertakings to be executed by the parties under this Agreement. Both parties shall have all relevant permits and licenses in place necessary for the proper execution of the Agreement. 9.2 Intellectual property rights: Both Parties undertake that they shall not infringe upon any copyright or other intellectual property rights of the other Party which shall remain in exclusive possession of the respective Parties. Both parties shall obtain permission in writing for the usage of any logo, motif, emblem, or any other intellectual property right vested in the respective Parties to be used in connection with the implementation of the present Agreement from the respective Party. 9.3 Each Party is the sole owner of such intellectual property rights and the other Party shall have no rights thereto if not expressly mentioned in this Agreement. Neither Party may use the other partys intellectual property rights without the prior consent of possessing Party. Nothing contained in this agreement is intended to, or shall be construed to grant to either Party any license or right regarding the other Partys intellectual property rights. 9.4 Waiver: No waiver by either Party of any breach of any condition, covenant or term of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and no failure or delay by either Party in insisting upon strict performance of any of the terms or conditions of this agreement or in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.

9.5 Assignment and subcontracting: Neither Party hereto shall assign any of its rights or obligations or sub-contract the same under this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of the other party. 9.6 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the complete expression of both Parties agreement and understanding with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all other prior agreements, undertakings, obligations, promises, arrangements, communications, negotiations and understandings whether oral or written, by both the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. 9.7 Modification: This Agreement and its Annexure may be amended or modified only by a written agreement by both Parties. Any such amendment and modifications will be listed in an Annexure hereto. 9.8 Notices: Any notices required to be sent under this Agreement by one Party to the other shall be in writing and forwarded to the other Party to the following addresses: If to NIFT: If to BIFT: Director General President, Board of Governors BIFT NIFT Campus, Near.Gulmohor Park S. R. Tower, 105 Uttara Model Town, Hauz Khas, New Delhi. Sector #7, Uttara, Dhaka 1230 India 110016 Bangladesh 9.9 If statements must be made in writing, they are deemed to having been made in writing when using electronic data communication or any other machine-readable form as long as the originator of the message is identifiable. 9.10 Independent Contractors: Both parties shall not for any purpose, be deemed or represent itself to be an agent or representative of the other Party. The relationship between the Parties shall only be that of independent contractors. 9.11 Severability: In the event that anyone or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision or provisions shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or provisions or the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall, to the maximum extent possible, be substituted by an enforceable provision(s) that preserve(s) the original intentions position of the parties. Signature: . Signature:.. President, Governing Body BIFT Director General BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology National Institute of Fashion Technology Dhaka-Bangladesh New Delhi- India