Handlooms technology institute upgraded

Institute of Handlooms Textile Technology (IHTT), Multan, has been upgraded to the status of University College of Textile Engineering.
In this regard, an agreement between Bahauddin Zikrya University (BZU) and Multan Textile Education Trust was signed in the presence of Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) at Governor's House on Monday.
Under the agreement, the upgraded institute would be the constituent college of BZU where classes of B.Sc. Textile Chemistry of four-year duration will commence from next month while three-year diploma course in textile technology would continue as usual.
In the next phase, graduation courses in weaving, fibre manufacturing, spinning, garments manufacturing and fashion designing, besides various disciplines of textile engineering would be started.
An 11-member board of governors of BZU College of Textile Engineering was constituted under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor following upgradation of Institute of Handloom and Home Textile Technology.
This institute was set up 10 years ago by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Pakistan in collaboration with All Pakistan Bed Sheet and Upholstery Manufacturers Association.
Founder Chairman of Multan Textile Education Trust, Syed Muhammad Qasim and sitting Chairman of the Trust, Khawaja Muhammad Younus, have been appointed as members of the board. Shaikh Tanvir Ahmed, Khawaja Muhammad Fazil, Shaikh Fazal Mahmood, Shaikh Muhammad Bilal, and a representative of local textile industry, 'Gul Tex' have also been nominated as members of the board.
Dean of BZU College of Engineering and Principal of University College of Textile Engineering have also been appointed as members of the board.
One each representative of Textile Institute of Karachi and National Textile University, Faisalabad may also be co-opted when it becomes necessary.
The meeting was told that an amount of Rs 170.80 million would be spent for upgradation of BZU College of Textile Engineering, Rs 20 million for infrastructure and Rs 122 million would be spent on construction of sample testing laboratories.
The governor expressed the hope that the new institute would produce technical experts for computerised dyeing of yarn, finishing of bed sheet, apart from meeting local demand of textile industry for designer, spinning master, colour matching technologist, and other fields.
As a result of abolition of export quota following implementation of WTO during next year, this cotton producing area would become hub of textile industry, he added. Besides, producing engineering experts in BZU College of Textile Engineering, special focus must be given to produce fashion designers, he said.