FICCI FLO Partners with World University of Design to Boost Women's Empowerment

By: WE staff | Friday, 30 May 2025

• In order to support women's empowerment, FICCI FLO and the World University of Design (WUD), Sonipat, signed an MOU
• The signatories were Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the founding vice chancellor of WUD, and  Poonam Sharma, the 42nd president of FICCI FLO

On May 29 in Srinagar, FICCI FLO and the World University of Design (WUD), Sonipat, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a major advancement in women's empowerment. In front of notable visitors and interested parties,  Poonam Sharma, the 42nd President of FICCI FLO, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the Founding Vice Chancellor of WUD, formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, former chairperson of the Khadi Board J&K, graced the event, which was led by Ms. Varuna Anand, National Initiative Head – Promotions and Collaborations at FICCI FLO. She commended the initiative for its emphasis on providing practical skills to women entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.

Based on FLO's motto, "The Power to Empower," the partnership seeks to support women-led enterprises by means of focused learning opportunities and strategic partnerships. The MoU opens the door for accredited online courses for women from disadvantaged backgrounds that provide instruction in vital subjects like branding, up cycling clothing, and using color in business and design. "Mastering Branding," "Mending Technology for Garment Up cycling & Reuse," and "Understanding Colors for Design & Business Applications" are some of the courses offered.

Poonam Sharma underlined FLO's dedication to creating meaningful pathways that support women's development, sustainability, and leadership throughout the event. Dr. Sanjay Gupta emphasized WUD's pride in supporting the initiative by bringing design education to communities that have the capacity to change.

The initiative was praised by Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat for tackling the urgent need for practical skills that can help women achieve economic independence. The partnership demonstrates FLO's unwavering commitment to building connections between academic institutions and would-be female entrepreneurs, where knowledge becomes a potent instrument for empowerment, Varuna Anand reaffirmed.

In addition to FLO members Anjali Aggarwal, Ankurita Pathak, Anshu Aggarwal, and GB Member Sunitee Abbi, the event was attended by WUD faculty members Dr. Vidushi Vashisht, Ambika Margotra, and John Varghese. This Memorandum of Understanding is evidence of FLO's continuous work to promote education, inclusive growth, and women's empowerment throughout India.