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and practical exposure to overseas markets<br />

through fairs/exhibitions etc. Such initiatives<br />

need to be further strengthened. The students<br />

of IAM have shown an entrepreneurial<br />

inclination from what I have been briefed<br />

about and launching of ventures like ‘Haryarn-V’,<br />

‘esa’ etc. indicate this trend. Textile<br />

industry in India requires GenNext Fashion<br />

Entrepreneurs and we need to incubate<br />

such young entrepreneurs to develop them<br />

to become full-fledged business men and<br />

women. In fact, recently the MOT, GOI<br />

have developed a scheme for incubation in<br />

select textile parks in India. We do hope the<br />

graduates from IAM and other such institutes<br />

will make use of the emerging opportunities<br />

in entrepreneurial space to become “job<br />

providers” than “job seekers”. There are<br />

opportunities emerging in e-tailing’ ventures<br />

as well. Today, the jobs in the market place<br />

require higher level of technological skills.<br />

Earlier generation of students again require<br />

reskilling and further training. I understand<br />

that IAM has a “Pro-Up centre” which<br />

offers continuing education programmes<br />

for working executives and other technical<br />

personnel. The programme for pattern<br />

makers to migrate from 2D to 3D and for<br />

merchandisers from ‘manual to digital’ are<br />

exemplary initiatives by IAM. Over 150 such<br />

students have been trained in recent times.<br />

This needs to be extended and offered in<br />

many more centres directly or through tieup<br />

with other institutes. There needs to<br />

be more cooperation between different<br />

higher educational institutions and even<br />

vocational institutions to have a progressive<br />

system for human resource development.<br />

Research needs to be given considerable<br />

importance as innovation can only emanate<br />

from applied research. Our institutions lag<br />

behind in this area. Indian designers need<br />

to keep originality in designs and make their<br />

own signatures in the world of fashion. The<br />

graduates trained in business need to develop<br />

more homegrown Indian brands. The<br />

current and new professionals need to train<br />

themselves in newer areas like “social media<br />

marketing” apart from developing high level<br />

skills in communication, technology etc.<br />

I wish the graduating students the very<br />

best and do hope that their contributions<br />

will make a marked difference in the coming<br />

years to place Indian fashion industry in<br />

the global map. The faculty, management<br />

and above all the leadership of Sri Virender<br />

Uppal, Chairman of AEPC & IAM and Sri<br />

Rahul Mehta, VC, IAM and Dr. Darlie Koshy,<br />

DG&CEO need to be appreciated. My advice<br />

to the graduating students is that there are<br />

ample opportunities in India for innovations,<br />

new designs, brands and you need to walk<br />

the extra mile and even extra risk to grab<br />

the opportunities to come out as winners in<br />

the process.<br />

Convocation address by Ms. Zohra Chatterji,<br />

IAS, Secretary (Textiles), Government of<br />

India at the 3rd convocation ceremony of the<br />

Institute of Apparel Management, Gurgaon.

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