At JD Institute of Fashion Technology, the entire nook and corner of our campus mirrors innovation, creativity, and continuous pursuit of perfection. The leader behind this innovative learning environment is a visionary herself—Smt. Jyotsna Dalal. Not only did she transform the institute into a prime destination for design education that it stands for today, but has also delivered generations of talented students who today live and grow in the world’s creative industry spaces.

Smt. Jyotsna Dalal has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Educhoice Women – Leaders in Academia Awards 2025, a well-deserved honor to her valuable contribution to design education and her continued efforts towards inspiring future leaders. The award is a testament to her relentless endeavors, which have impacted the lives of thousands of students, enabling them to reach their full potential.

A Vision Beyond the Classroom

To Smt. Dalal, learning design is so much more than just mastering the techniques—it’s discovering one’s voice. She believes that the very soul of design is not just the ability to make gorgeous pieces, but the ability to think originally, speak openly, and break rules. At JD Institute, students are not just learning to trend-follow, but learning how to set the trends.

“Preparing students for the world of design and beyond is our vision,” says Smt. Dalal. “We teach them how important creative thinking is, how to experiment, how to take risks, and how to communicate with confidence. Real design education is about equipping students with the tools to innovate and push boundaries.”

Her approach is beyond textbook and workshop. Smt. Dalal builds a space where students are pushed to think beyond the box and for themselves, beyond the norm, and think of design as a means of self-expression and social transformation. Fashion, interior design, or graphic design, students are urged to tell their own stories.

Empowering Women, Empowering Minds

Being a women’s empowerment advocate, Smt. Dalal has always believed in the ability and strength of women. She often talks about how women are multi-taskers, whether as working women or home-makers, and how this ability is a leadership trait. Her teachings are not only in design skills; they instill confidence and strength, making students complete and well-rounded individuals.

“I want young girls to feel that they can juggle several areas in their lives,” she says. “Women are multitaskers by nature, and this is a great strength that translates into fantastic leadership. By learning how to handle stress and prioritize what is most important, they can lead with confidence, both in their work and personal lives.”

Smt. Dalal’s dedication to women empowerment does not end at JD Institute. She brought with her initiatives in mental health, breast cancer awareness, and menstrual health so that students and faculty members are eligible for services that promote physical and psychological health. With these campaigns, she instills the culture of self-love, ensuring everyone the significance of maintaining a healthy body and mind so that one reaches success.

A Legacy of Leadership, Inclusion, and Empowerment

A strong believer in the cause of equal opportunities, Smt. Dalal has taken it upon herself to give access to design education to everyone, regardless of whether they are poor or affluent. Through offering a variety of scholarship programs, she has been in a position to offer opportunities to numerous young women who desire to become designers but do not have the financial capability to pursue their dream. This initiative has impacted many students who otherwise would not have been in a position to finance their education, allowing them to acquire world-class training and skills.

Smt. Jyotsna Dalal’s impact extends well beyond the JD Institute campus. Her leadership has motivated students and faculty to become leaders themselves with empathy, imagination, and a desire to make a difference. Her vision of inclusivity, empowerment, and self-expression inspires future generations of designers. Under her leadership, JD Institute of Fashion Technology has grown into an institution where not only are technical skills imparted but also confidence is instilled to lead, innovate, and transform the world. 

A Future of Endless Possibilities

As JD Institute grows and develops, Smt. Jyotsna Dalal’s vision is still at its core. Her dedication to providing a holistic education—a creative, critical, leadership-oriented, and healthy education—will keep inspiring and directing tomorrow’s designers. Each student who steps through the doors of JD Institute is not only learning; he or she is becoming part of a legacy of visionaries, equipped with the ability to harness their skill to create a better world.