Guru Nanak Dev University has established a Department of “Apparel and Textile Technology” at its main university campus. The department shall admit 20 students for M.Sc. (Apparel & Textiles) w.e.f academic session 2022-23.
Dr Sukhprit Singh, Head, Department of Chemistry, who has been appointed as officiating Head of the “Apparel and Textile Technology” department. He told that in addition to the above course the B.Tech (Textile Processing Technology) being run under the department of chemistry shall also transfer to the new department. The course of B.Tech (Textile Chemistry) was started in 1997 on the demand of the local Textile industry in the department of Applied Chemical Sciences and Technology. In 2013, the department of Applied Chemical Sciences and Technology was merged with Chemistry due to changing dynamics of textile processing industry and B.Tech (Textile Chemistry) was renamed as B.Tech (Textile Processing Technology).
The department has a strong connect with the industry and boasts of 100 percent placement records for its graduates in government jobs and reputed Textile and Apparel manufacturing and marketing units across the Indian sub-continent. Some of the notable industry employers are Trident, Vardhman, Alok Industries, Reid & Taylor, Raymond’s, Dystar, H&M, Marks & Spencer, BIBA, Aditya Birla Group, Reliance, Heads up for Tails, Walmart, Wacker, CRODA, Clariant IGL Speciality Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., , Levi’s, Arvind Mills, Pulcra, Jintex, Hunstman, Kisco, Rossari and Decathlon. Quite a number of graduates from the department are employed in various fields like education, finance, logistics, management, etc. while some have turned entrepreneurs with their own successful ventures. A sizeable number of alumni are well settled in USA, Canada, Australia, Middle East and European Countries. The strong network of alumni contributes actively to support and guide the students in their academic and professional journey.
M.Sc. (Apparel & Textiles) programme is being added from 2022-23 academic sessions in the Department of Apparel and Textile Technology to cater to the demands in the emerging fields of Technical Textiles in India.
The significance of Technical Textiles came to the forefront with India emerging as the second largest manufactures of masks and Personal Protective Equipment kits within three months of the onset of the Covid19 pandemic. This emphasized the need to integrate education, research and practical experience in various aspects of Textiles manufacturing and design including Apparel, Technical Textiles and sustainable and ecological processing of Textiles. To pursue innovative research and design in Medical textiles, Protective textiles (Bulletproof vests, fire Fighter suits) and industrial garments, Guru Nanak Dev University has signed the MOU with OCM, Amritsar. Further, plans for collaboration with leading industries and reputed educational institutions are in the pipeline. The department also has an in-house Textile Industry Service Centre (TISC), which provides quality and standard testing and consultation services to the textile industry at nominal charges.
