Bangladesh’s first international conference on ‘Textile Science and Engineering’ was held at the Bangladesh Textile University (BUTEX) where Dr. Bijoya Kumar Behera, Professor, Department of Textile and Fiber Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) said that Bangladesh can move towards technical textiles using cotton.
For the first time, Bangladesh Textile University (BUTEX) organized a two-day long international conference on 19 and 20 January titled ‘International Conference on Textile Science and Engineering’.
Home Minister Md. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Education Minister Dipu Moni were present as the chief guest respectively on 1st and 2nd day of the conference. The conference was presided over by Professor Md. Abul Kashem, Vice-Chancellor, BUTEX and Conference Chairman of ICTSE-2022 where Dr. Bijoya Kumar Behera, Professor, Department of Textile and Fiber Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) delivered the key note speech.
More than 46 authors, 200 participants from different universities and organizations graced the conference. Total 50 papers were submitted, of them 15 papers were selected for final presentation.
Dr. Abbas Uddin Shiyak, Head of the department of Dyes and Chemical Engineering, BUTEX said, “A total of 15 papers have been selected in five categories. The conference will encourage young researchers to bring about evolutionary development in the textile sector of Bangladesh. The conference will play a great role to share knowledge and enhance our intellectuality.”
The conference prioritizes cutting-edge and sustainable technologies in textiles. Different papers were presented focusing the areas of Fiber Science, Management, Fashion Design, Green Chemistry, Technical Textiles, Industrial Textiles, Industry 4.0 Textiles, Smart Textiles, Nanotechnology in Textiles, Textiles and Apparel Supply Chain, Advance and Emerging Technologies, Technical Textiles, Technical Textiles etc.
Scopes of the conference
Md. Golam Sarower Rayhan from the Bangladesh University of Textile won the best presentation award. His research was on ‘Global value-addition of Bangladesh textile-clothing industry’s export: A sub-sectorial Analysis’. Prof. Dr. Md. Masum was the co-author of the research paper.
The paper showed that although Bangladesh has captured a significant export share of clothing, it is mostly depended on foreign value addition (import). The research suggested policy makers to emphasize on how foreign value addition can be reduced in the up-growing textile and apparel industry.
Among other 14 papers some most interesting topics were: A study on sustainable disposal behavior of used cloths and factors towards such behavior in Bangladesh; High performance short jute fiber performance and its micromechanics in composite applications; Investigation the effect of finishing process on spirality of single jersey weft knitted fabric; Implementation of time study on hoodie production and its effect towards productivity etc.
On the first day of the conference on January 19, Member of Parliament Engineer Mozaffar Hossain; Professor Dr. Hosna Ara Begum, Head, Department of Yarn Engineering, BUTEX; Prof. Dr. Shah Alimuzzaman, Dean of the Faculty of Textile Engineering, BUTEX; Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali, Director of Executive Development Program and Ex-Dean, Faculty of Textile Management and Business Studies, BUTEX were present among others.
Dr. Kumar’s keynote was on ‘Advanced Textile Structural Composites: Opportunities and Challenges in Industrial Environment’ with seven agendas on textile composites. The global composites market is estimated at $40.2 billion and composite end products are estimated at $114.7 billion with a CAGR ranging from 3.3-7.5% depending on usage.
The composite industry considers the textile industry highly mature both in terms of materials and technology. Therefore, it hopes that then the demand for 3d cloth and other performances can be met directly and easily. The composites industry expects relatively fast development and performance delivery for their various needs. This assumes that 3D fabrics can be obtained cost-effectively.
Currently, the leading global manufacturers of textile composites are from the US, Germany, Japan, and India. As the second leading RMG sector, the country also sees an opportunity in composites.
“Bangladesh is already doing very good in conventional textiles. Cotton has great scope to use for technical textiles. As Bangladesh has been producing conventional textile products mainly based on cotton fiber. Cotton is not only used for conventional textiles, but also it can be used for technical textiles. So that initially Bangladesh can go for technical textiles using cotton. Bangladesh has lots of potentialities in technical textiles,” Dr. Bijoya Kumar Behera said to Textile Today.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali and Prof. Dr. Hosna Ara Begum conducted two technical sessions on the first day.
On second day of the conference BUTEX Prof. Dr. Md. Zulhash Uddin, Prof. Dr. Md. Mashiur Rahman Khan, and Prof. Dr. Ummul Khair Fatema conducted three technical sessions and completed the technical session slots. Prof. Dr. Bijoya Kumar Behera conducted another session on ‘3D Weaving and Technical Application’ on the day. Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, Principal Investigator of AHRC Digital Fashion Project, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK conducted a session on ‘Textile and Fashion Research: Challenges and Opportunities’.
Engr. Md Shafiqur Rahman, President, Institution of Textile Engineers and Technologists (ITET) Dr. Ferdous Zaman, Secretary, UGC, Bangladesh, Prof. Dr. Mijanur Rahman, Former Vice Chancellor, Jagannath University, Dhaka and Prof. Dr. A S M Maksud Kamal, Pro-vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka were the Special Guest of the conference on second day.
On the second day of the conference, Education Minister Dipu Moni was present as the chief guest and awarded the presenters. Prof. Dr. Shah Alimuzzaman highlighted the challenges and future aspects of our country’s invaluable traditional product ‘Muslin’.
MP Dipu Moni said, “We need to bring back muslin and make it a globally branded product as it has already got a GI certificate.”
MP Engr. Mohammad Mozaffar Hossain, an alumnus of BUTEX was also present at the conference. He encouraged the students to go for research and create strong backward linkages for the textile sector so that the industry no longer has to depend on foreign experts.
It is necessary to develop an Industry-academia linkage to bring innovation and evolution to the textile sector of Bangladesh. BUTEX already has a strong relationship with the industry. However, young researchers should focus on researches with more commercial aspects now. It’s the prime time to build a strong backward linkage for the emerging RMG sector of Bangladesh, said Honorable Minister of Education, Dipu Moni.
“BUTEX has started its journey as University for 12 years and different research activities are going on. However, the development of research work has not been spread at a satisfactory level. We have arranged the conference to generate interest towards research work among students and faculties,” Prof. Md. Abul Kashem said to Textile Today.
“Most of the researches have brought innovative solutions of different existing issues and technological improvement of the textile and clothing industry. Their research and findings will have a great promotion and many people can know about it which is why the conference is really noteworthy,” Prof. Md. Abul Kashem added.
Sharing his views with Textile Today Dr. Shah Alimuzzaman Belal, Dean, Faculty of Textile Engineering said that our graduates have been working with so many high tech projects like medical textiles, technical textiles, smart textiles etc.
“In the textile and apparel industry, industry Revolution 4.0 is moving the traditional operational methods through automation, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and knitting, robotics & intelligent manufacturing, augmented reality, etc. It is also changing the industry itself by presenting new consumer trends. To cope with this situation this type of conference will give a great mileage,” he said.
“Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had close eagerness to revive the muslin again and she asked to take steps to resuscitate the prestigious heritage of Muslin. We have worked in accordance with her guidance. Our team visited probable collections around the country to trace the sample of a Muslin garment if anyone had in their hand,” Dr. Shah Alimuzzaman Belal said about his presentation ‘The Muslin: The invaluable heritage’.
“Research and conference are very important for university students and teachers. It helps us to develop ourselves, interchange our views, communicate our thoughts and find out our lackings,” Prof. Dr. Hosna Ara Begum said to Textile Today.
