Textile Today Innovation Hub organized the ‘TTH 8.0 National Conference- The Competition Day’ to select 101 potential Innovation Masterminds. The grand conference was organized on October 20 at Council Hall, IDEB, Kakrail.
Earlier, this Textile Talent Hunt (TTH) 2023-24 competition – presented by Centro and Powered by Archroma – was launched on August 2 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.
101 students were selected from around 250 students through video audition, innovative idea audition and MCQ exam of around 25 textile universities from all over the country for the national competition.
The best 25 got Tk1.25 lakh award money at the event. 2000+ students directly participated in the TTH Campus Drive and Seminar at 30+ campuses from all over Bangladesh earlier.
Among 101 Innovation Masterminds, the five champions from the five zones are- NM Azizur Rahman from Bangladesh University of Textiles; Khalid Zaman Mumit from Jashore University of Science and Technology; Abir Hossain from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology; Mohammad Asif from Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University and Mohammad Ibrahim from Textile Engineering College, Noakhali.
All the participants received certificates for attending the “Transformation to Innovation” session conducted by Eousup Novee Bablu, GM, of Textile Today Innovation Hub.
In the National Competition, selected potential Innovation Masterminds (IMs) will get 10 professional and technical skills training from Textile Today Innovation Hub which is equivalent to Tk30 lakh.
IMs will work on practical innovation projects at factories under the supervision of industry and academic experts. Through this, IMs will be transformed into the most desired Innovation Masterminds (IMs) and will be ready to make innovations in the industry for the next level of transformation.
All the selected 101 will be awarded Innovation Black Belt upon the project completion. Innovation Black Belt is an exclusive initiative of Textile Today Innovation Hub for the textile and apparel industry that helps to create professionals who go through 256 hours of extensive Factory Skills Development training and real hands-on problem-solving experience in different particular areas of the Textile Industry.
Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry is facing continuous transformation and new challenges.
In this scenario, Textile Today Innovation Hub's Textile Talent Hunt 8th season is functioning to bring out innovativeness as the new competitiveness for the industry – to overcome the current challenges.
A total of Tk49 lakh training, research and award money fund has been declared for the development of this Innovation Masterminds.
In the Panel Discussion on ‘Achieving Innovativeness’ the textile and apparel industry experts opined that like all the previous Textile Talent Hunt competitions, this TTH 8th Season shall surely contribute to bridging the gap between industry and academy.
It will bring more innovative solutions to explain and overcome existing challenges of the textile and apparel industry – a core objective of the Textile Today Innovation Hub.
Minhazul Hoque, director, of Fatullah Dyeing and Calendaring Mills Ltd said that the industry needs to know demand precision. Ensuring quality is essential and professionals need to have problem-solving skills.
TTH journey is vital for students to gather knowledge and practical experiences on these three mentioned concerns.
Yamin Chowdhury, general manager (Production), of Denimach Washing Ltd, pointed out that to sustain in the current challenges business needs to be competitive, also, attentiveness in every processing step is vital. STB Bleck Belt's designed strategy will holistically guide both the participant and the project in a systematic problem-solving approach. For STB Black Belt my factory Denimach Washing is also benefiting.
Md Abdullah Al-Hadi, assistant manager – IE, Fashion Forum Ltd, IDS Group – who has completed the Black Belt program – said how he benefited from doing the Black Belt program.
“This Black Belt program greatly benefitted me in my career and uplifted my confidence to take any challenge. Thanks to Textile Today Innovation Hub.”
Md Rahat Ullah Rashed, head of Technical Support, at Taiwan Persotex Corporation, talked about process optimization to get maximum output. Innovation Black Belt and TTH platform enriches and equips us. For instance, a Lab to bulk project was implemented and it got very good results.
Tareq Amin, founder and CEO, of Textile Today Innovation Hub highlighted that “Most importantly TTH and Black Belt will enlist students in the industry community.”
Engr Md Hasan Kajmir Mahmud, director, South West Composite Ltd pointed out: “TTH event will give you industry exposure. Many universities conduct research programs. But none can fulfil industry demand. Only Textile Today Innovation Hub through TTH and the Black Belt program has been fulfilling industry demand bridging the gap between academia and industry.”
In the second session, Tareq Amin congratulated students for participating and said: “TTH 8.0 is special as it is directly linked with industry. Top 101 are entering into an exciting journey.”
“Many factories are joining as innovation partners. Partner factories will be available for innovation circles. Innovation leaders will be groomed in this process. I'm also thanking our sponsor partners for their support. Thus, innovativeness will be the next competitiveness through this the industry will solve any kind of challenges.”
Thanking all the participants Professor Dr Engineer Ayub Nabi Khan, pro-vice chancellor at BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology said: “We thought of this TTH way back in 2008. It has now become a national pride. Our dream was to take our industry to the best level, with skilled manpower, and automation. I hope TTH will continue its successful journey. You have to dream and make yourselves capable to lead the industry.”
Dr Mohammad Abbas Uddin Shiyak, assistant professor, Department of Dyes and Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, said: “I'm really pleased to be here. My demand is that we've to take the industry to reach a $100bn export target. Innovativeness is the only way to achieve the target. At least 50% retention we've to make. And Innovation Masterminds have to take the lead to reach the target.”
Sayedul Hassan, AGM-HR, Centro Tex Ltd said that Centro will always be involved in such programs.
Syed Ismail, country head, of Archroma Bangladesh said: “I'm very happy to be here. We are really expectant from our textile universities that future leaders will come. My company leads in sustainability. How is it ensured? Sustainability is ensured through innovation and behind all this is the innovative person who is passionate. And TTH is the platform to create passionate masterminds.”
Thanking all the participants and the best 25 from universities and textile colleges, Engr. Shafiqur Rahman CIP, President of the Institution of Textile Engineers and Technologists (ITET) said, “Our $100bn target will be achieved through your leadership. In recent years, our textile universities and institutions have increased greatly - which is hugely helping the industry. Textile engineers and the sector are building BD's economic growth. You’ve to be future leaders of the industry. The past was production-centric. But it’s sustainability and innovation. This leader-making initiative is TTH. I'm thankful to the TT team. Without innovation, our industry will be sick. That's why I think this National Conference will create a difference.”
Eousup Novee Bablu, GM, of Textile Today Innovation Hub was the moderator of the event.
TTH 8th Season’s other sponsors are – Platinum Sponsors Dysin Group and Jay Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd.; the Prize Money Sponsor is Apna Organics Private Limited; the Sponsors are Sameet Dye Chem and Sota Ghar Colour House; the Quality Partner is SGS Bangladesh Ltd. and TexMeta is the Networking Partner.