Bringing dynamism and variety in fashion and technology for the country's apparel sector is a must for maintaining export growth of the country's apparel sector. Principal Lecturer at London College of Fashion, Carmel Kelly, said this at a presentation on "Fact-finding on BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) Institute of Fashion and Technology (BIFT) and local apparel sector". The presentation was organised by Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in the city Wednesday with its Vice Chairman Mir Shahabuddin Mohammad in the chair. BIFT president Benazir Ahmed, EPB Director General Mustafa Mohiuddin, Bangladesh Quality Support Programme (BQSP) Chief Technical Adviser David Holbourne and Abdul Awal of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association also addressed the session. BIFT was established by BGMEA at a cost of Tk 40 million in 2000 with the aim of maintaining a robust export performance of the country's rapidly advancing garment sector. BIFT is currently offering twelve different types of diploma in apparel sector and honours programme in three subjects and it is going to introduce Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the next semester. "BIFT needs to improve its curriculum in keeping with the fast-changing world for imparting state-of-the-art technological know-how to its students, which will require huge financial and technical assistance," said Shahabuddin Mohammad. Mir Shahabuddin requested Carmel Kelly to manage scholarships for Bangladeshi students in her institution so that they could get latest education in fashion and technology. "Please provide BIFT with financial and technical support. Help it develop its curriculum. Your generous support may pave the way for producing world-class experts on fashion and technology in Bangladesh," urged Shahabuddin. The EPB VC also stressed the need for improving supply chain management, upgrading production efficiency, maintaining social compliance, and reducing lead-time along with placing emphasis on fashion and technology to maintain export growth in days ahead. Benazir Ahmed said, "We want to provide our students with time-bound education but paucity of competent faculty members is hindering the mission." Holbourne said quality and compliance are connected with achievement of competitiveness, which is indispensable for survival in the rising global competition in the garment sector.
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