RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Research Committee of SOFT is intended to stimulate and encourage the “Ethical and Responsible” Research Attitude & Aptitude in the areas of Fashion, Textiles and Crafts for holistic intellectual development. The Research Committee aids to uphold a conductive environment for the activities of Research, Innovation and Extension with the following.

Research Assistance
Research Funding
Sponsorships
Scholarships based on the performance and potential of the student/ faculty
Research Publication
Participation in Events such as Conferences, Design Competitions Nationally and Internationally
Provision of Resources (Materials, Machineries and Human Resource)
Provision of Infrastructure
Mentorship and Guidance (Internal and External)
Open Memberships for Reviewers
Open Memberships
Extension and Innovation activities through Exposure to participate in Competitions, Research Symposiums, Conferences Nationally as well as internationally.
Encouragement to develop Business skills and Entrepreneurial abilities through Incubation Centre and Craft Village.
Research Aptitude building workshops/ seminars for all.

VISION

To facilitate and Nurture the Attitude, Aptitude & Opportunities of Fashion Students/ Faculties through Research, Innovation and Extension activities with a dynamic inclusion of Faculty, Designers, Artisans, Industry, NGO’s etc.

MISSION

The committee will assist, facilitate & support with Infrastructure, Mentor- Mentee system, Provisions to attend variety of events, Special consideration for Students and Faculties of SOFT in the areas of Research, Innovation and Extension.

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Convenor	Dr. Hundekar
Co- Convener	Ms. Mallika Dabhade Samant
Members (Faculty)	Ms. Mohika Joshi Ms. Sneha Pitre
Invitees	Head of the Departments and Course Coordinators
Members (Student)	Advance Learners of each specialization
Members (Alumni)	Fresh Pass outs as Research Fellows- Project based.
Members (Industry)	For Sponsorships
Members (Academicians)	Dr. Himadri Ghosh Dr. Anjali Karolia
Editorial Board Members	Open applications for out siders and few of the Internal staff members.
Reviewers	Open applications for out siders and few of the Internal staff members.

OBJECTIVES

To foster an inclusive environment for Research with Students, Faculty and Industry.
To embed faculty as well as students to apply for Major, Minor Research Projects, Incubation, Design and innovation activities.
To encourage the faculties and students to participate in various National & International Conferences and Research Symposiums.
To foster Research opportunities to students through participation at National and International Design Competitions.
To provide maximum exposure and assistance in order to inculcate the Research attribute in students as well as faculties in terms of Mentorships and Sponsorships.
To strengthen industry – institute interaction by promoting consultancy, testing and need based research & innovation activities through Research and Innovation.
To provide opportunities through extension activities through variety of specially designed Courses and Entrepreneurial programs through its Incubation centre and Craft Village.
To initiate Craft Development Clusters/ Projects with active involvement of Artisans.

RESEARCH POLICIES

The Research Committee will provide Publication Formats for Abstract and Research Papers to be submitted for variety of activities.
The Research Committee will also provide the system for submission of the Research work which will be strictly scrutinised before submission by the Committee and their members.
Before submission the Research Scholar should submit the copy of plagiarism check report to the committee for a paper before submitting it to the journal/Conference.
The research scholar Synopsis/ Thesis should accompany plagiarism report while submitting same to the Research Committee.
Any submission that are individually submitted for and Research activity, has to be sent to the Committee for the Record purpose.
Any Certification of Participation in any of the Research oriented activity has to be submitted to the committee.
Decisions on JRF- Junior Research Fellowships after NET/SET Examinations will be taken by the authorities and Committee members.
The committee will provide support in editing, formatting, plagiarism check and grammar check for the institutional Publication only.

PROCEDURE / PLAN OF ACTION

The Research Committee shall meet THRICE per term or as and when required to fulfil any of the objectives of the committee.
The events as per the Research Plan will be identified and accordingly all the participants will be notified for the same.
The initial Planning Meeting will also be conducted with Course Coordinators of each specialization in order to identify subjects under which Research Activity can be included.
The meetings will be conducted on the basis of Planning, Monitoring/ Review and Execution of the task.
The Committee may also invite the Members of the committee, Authority of the College or Parent Organization, or other person to attend any meeting(s) of the Committee, to assist the Committee in the attainment of its objectives.
The draft of Minutes of the Research Committee shall be circulated to all the members of the committee.
All the submission records for the Research Participations is compulsorily to be sent to the committee for the documentation and record purpose.

ACTIVITY CALENDER

SR. NO.	ACTIVITY	TENTATIVE BEGINING	TENTATIVE CLOSING	EVENT DATES	MEETINGS
1	IFFTI	August 2022	September 2022	March/ April 2023	Thrice for the updates and Participation
2	SDC	February 2022	August 2022	November 2022	As and when required for participation followed by Research meetings to be conducted thrice.
3	ARCH	September 2022	October 2022	January 2022	Thrice for the updates and Participation
4	FTC	January 2022	March 2022	December 2022	Thrice for the updates and Participation
5	NIFT	August 2022	October 2022	January 2023	Thrice for the updates and Participation
6	Trade Fair I, II, III	As per update of the schedule
7	Research Workshops/ Seminar (Faculties)	April/ May	3- 5 days	April 2022
8	GFI	July 2022	August/ September 2022	November/ December 2022
9	Patents Filing	As per the norms by the Patents Organization.

FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH COMMITTEE

The Committee shall work in order to accomplish following tasks.

To devise strategies to assist SOFT in meeting its research objectives as articulated above.
To identify and foster the means by which the SOFT can meet emerging research opportunities, with the particular participation at events.
To monitor and review research performance of students and faculties, ensuring equivalence to the particular event.
To advise on the development of tools and processes to identify, document and enhance the Research done by students.
To plan and suggest the effective publication of Research by students or Faculties in Online- Offline Journals, websites and etc.
To observe and inculcate the commercialisation activities as a means of promoting Research through Innovation via Incubation Centre and Craft Village.
To notify on new initiatives and opportunities in the Research, Innovation & Extension area.
To monitor and review the Research, Innovation and Extension activity.
To consider and make recommendations relating to research for participation at various events. Conferences and competitions.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES (Per Year)

For Faculties:

National Conferences (Funded by Institution)- 4
International Conferences (Funded by Institution)- 2
National Trade Fairs (Funded by Institution)-4
International Trade Fairs (Funded by Institution)- 2
Research Publication (Funded by Institution)- 15
Research Publication (Non- Funded)- Unlimited
National Design Competitions as Attendee (Funded by Institution)- 2
International Design Competition as Attendee (Funded by Institution)- 2
Patents (Funded by Institute)- 2
Funding for Faculty Research by Institute- 4

For Students:

National Conferences (Funded by Institution)- 4
International Conferences (Funded by Institution)- 2
National Trade Fairs (Funded by Institution)-4
International Trade Fairs (Funded by Institution)- 2
Research Publication (Funded by Institution)- UNDER GRAD STUDENTS- 15
Research Publication (Funded by Institution)- POST GRAD STUDENTS- 5
Research Publication (Non- Funded)- Unlimited
National Design Competitions as Participants (Funded by Institution)- 10
International Design Competition as Participants (Funded by Institution)- 4
Patents (Funded by Institute)- 2

AUTHORITY TO THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Decision taken for the approval on National and International event participation will be strictly on the basis of deserving candidate and hence decision made by the Committee will be final.
The Committee shall act as a channel of communication between Students and Faculties of the institution for its recommendations relating to its objectives.
The Monetary Sponsorships for any student and Faculty to attend, participate in any event, Conference, symposiums etc. will be decided on the basis of quality of the Research and overall performance in the Academics and Research area.
The Research Infrastructure to carry out using any Infrastructure of the Institute may involve nominal charges for the arrangements of the related materials, Tools, equipment, and resources.

COMMITTEE RULES AND REGULATIONS

The faculty and administration make explicit commitment to academic integrity and to the establishment and maintenance not only of proper research conduct but also of an environment in which both research and teaching can be carried out effectively.
That each department form a working group to reflect on current practices, the values they promote, and changes in practices that would improve education and research, particularly with respect to the specific research conducted by members of that department.
Committee will establish a series of workshops on research conduct; that these workshops be organized at the level of departments, laboratories, or research groups and be of a size to ensure that individuals have an opportunity to speak; that these workshops be held periodically to provide new members with an opportunity to become familiar with the traditions and procedures
That committee move to establish procedures for mediation as a part of its procedures for dispute resolution and that consideration be given to application of the principles of mediation in the inquiry process when appropriate.
That committee designate individual faculty members to serve as advisors and informal mediators.
That committee define research misconduct as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism in proposing, conducting or reporting research or other scholarly activities.
That a single set of internal procedures including standards of proof, and rights of complainants and accused among others be used for the investigation of all allegations of research misconduct involving faculty and staff.
That the responsibility for inquiring into allegations of research misconduct be vested in heads of departments and interdepartmental laboratories or comparable administrative units; that this normally be done by setting up a fact-finding panel whose report provides the basis on which the head decides what further steps are appropriate, including a recommendation to the provost that a formal investigation is warranted.
That Committee ensure a supportive environment for individuals who come forward with concerns about research conduct, and that specific provisions to ensure the protection of complainants who act in good faith be a part of the plan for conducting an inquiry into allegations of research misconduct and be submitted to the Office of the Provost before the inquiry is initiated.