One of the country's premier design institutes, Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design, has been awarded the status of 'institute of national importance' with Parliament passing the National Institute of Design Act, 2013 last week.The NID, which has satellite campuses in Gandhinagar and Bangalore, is 41st institute in the country to be awarded this status.As an institute of national importance, the NID has now been authorised to give degrees and offer Doctorates (PhDs). The institute will also receive special recognition and funding from the government.The move has given the 400-odd students in the NID something to cheer about. "We are one of the best design schools but we weren't getting degrees which was unfair... when we go aboard some universities only recognise degrees," said Harshika, a second year product design student.Set up over five decades back, the NID has established itself as a strong brand, both nationally as well as internationally, with thousands of students lining up for admissions. But these students faced hurdles with the institute only offering diploma courses."Applying for a bank loan was a difficult task. Banks used to ask us several questions like whether the institute is UGC approved. Now with more recognition things will be much easier," said another student, Aakash More.The NID authorities are now hopeful that with degree and PhD offers, the institute can increase its popularity with foreign students as well."Many students from foreign countries want to come here but since there is no PhD that used to be a hurdle. Now we can attract them," said NID Director, Pradyumna Vyas.

India's other premier educational organisations like Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, and Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research, among others have been conferred this status.