Umme Hani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Textile Design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Shillong, where she also serves as the Campus Coordinator for the Foundation Programme. She has expertise in textile design with an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates product and communication design. Along with teaching undergraduate courses in Textile Design, she also teaches Foundation Programme courses and actively contributes to curriculum development, academic administration, student mentoring, and institutional initiatives. She received her Bachelor of Design in Textile Design from NIFT Kolkata and her Master of Design from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. Her research interests include design thinking, design methodology, handloom and handicrafts, sustainable textiles, and design intervention for traditional crafts. She integrates research with teaching by developing classroom projects in collaboration with local startups, including ventures founded by NIFT alumni, enabling students to engage with real world design challenges. She also maintains strong connections with regional industries and regularly invites experts from premier institutions such as IIT and NID, along with industry professionals, to enrich students’ academic and professional learning. She encourages students to undertake research, present at conferences, and contribute to academic publications, fostering a culture of critical inquiry and innovation. Beyond teaching and research, Umme Hani actively participates in academic coordination, outreach programmes, and collaborations with artisans, industry, and educational institutions. She is committed to promoting design-led innovation, preserving craft heritage, and nurturing socially responsible designers capable of addressing contemporary challenges through creative, human-centred design.