[Assam] Fashion technology institute set up at Sualkuchi (The Assam Tribune, 26.07.2008)

[Buljit Buragohain]

Fashion technology institute set up at Sualkuchi
>From Our Correspondent
 SUALKUCHI, July 26 – Though application of modern technology in textile industry is a must to cope with the present trend of open market, but it has hardly influenced the artisans of Sualkuchi who are habituated with the traditional technology in silk industry. Resistance to using modern technology has been the bane of the weavers, master weavers and entrepreneurs who face marketing problems on a regular basis. Even as there is a high demand for Sualkuchi silk attire in European markets, due to technological stagnation lack of interest to introduce innovations in the age-old silk industry, the town has not been able to meet such demands.

Realising the potential that the town has in regard to production of quality silk clothes, the Kamrup district administration in collaboration with NEC and the NIFT, Kolkata has set up the Sualkuchi Institute of Fashion Technology at Sualkuchi. This maiden institute of fashion technology would provide a common platform for fashion and design education, research and training. The prime objective of setting up such an exclusive institute is to enhance the livelihood of a sizeable population and also to create a new brand for Sualkuchi silk.

The institute would cover areas of conducting intensive integrated training programme on fashion and textile design, exploration and development of a design bank specific to the Sualkuchi region through conduct of computer-aided designing programmes, training and introduction of contemporary designs, colours, schemes, methods of practice to ensure development of products consisting both apparel and home furnishings and to conduct research and development on product diversification and design innovation, etc.

Meanwhile, the Kamrup district administration has completed the construction of the institute buildings comprising lecture rooms, seminar hall, separate hostel facilities for girls and boys, fully equipped textile CAD, dying and processing room, quality control and testing, handloom pattern making and stitching laboratories with the latest machineries and modern facilities. The education structure will emphasise hands on experience through practical set ups and state-of-the-art technology. The institute will also have an updated library-cum-resource centre which will provide the latest information on colour forecast, fashion trends and industry happenings to the trainees.

PS Barbora, who was appointed principal of the institute through a release said the duration of the training programme has been fixed for six weeks per batch which include 25 trainees. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata will implement the integrated training programme on fashion and textile design by deputing experienced faculty members and industry experts and the course curriculum, training modules have been designed by NIFT by using a range of work based teaching and learning techniques to ensure the trainees gain a practical, strategic and operational understanding of design development, product diversification and management skills.

After completion of the course, the trainees would get, a detailed overview on designs innovation, product diversification, colour forecast and fashion trends, etc which will widen their perspectives.

The people of Sualkuchi have lauded the government and praised Health Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for the novel project.

 
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jul2708/State13
 
(The Assam Tribune,26.07.2008)









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