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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.