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Dr. Darlie Koshy,
DG & CEO,
IAM & ATDC
Madam Secretary (Textiles), Govt. of India,
Ms. Zohra Chaterji ji, IAS, Chairman,
AEPC, ATDC & IAM Sri Virender Uppal ji,
Vice Chairman, IAM Sri Rahul Mehta ji,
Chairperson of Mewar University, Dr. Ashok
Kumar Gadia, SG of AEPC Sri Puneet Kumar,
Industry doyens, EC members of AEPC,
Esteemed BOG Members of IAM, Graduating
Students, new students, faculty members
and friends from the media. At the outset,
I would like to express our deep gratitude
for the continuous support and guidance
extended by Madam Zohra Chatterji ji, IAS,
Secretary (Textiles), in all our endeavours.
The world is changing beyond recognition.
I have come across an analysis which states:
“We are currently preparing students for
jobs that don’t yet exist”. With the sweep
of technology revolution and the invasion
of handheld devices, the profiles of jobs are
rapidly changing. It is not the most brilliant
who are going to survive, it is those who adapt
fast who will survive.
At IAM and ATDC ‘skill’ has been the
central focus. At IAM the front-end is
certainly skills with back-end of concepts
and knowledge. With most of the jobs
requiring 70% skills and 30% knowledge as
the new ratio, Institutions have to change
their orientation a great deal. IAM has been
right from the start focussing on preparing
“industry-ready professionals”.
IAM in less than 5 years has strengthened
its Academic programmes while also aligning
with both Skills & Knowledge needs of the
Apparel Export sector as well as Fashion
& Lifestyle trends of the rapidly growing
Domestic retail sector. Together by 2020,
Indian Textile-Apparel value chain is
pushing towards a 220 billion US$ market
size. The ‘Speed retailing’, ‘Fast Fashions’
of Zara, Mango, Uniqlo and rapid spread of
etailing’ global etc. are redefining the Fashion
Business. Among new online e-tailing Jabong
with “Online Fashion shows” and Roposo.
com with focus on elements of Fashion like
‘Colour’ acting as a gateway to multiple
brands are quite disruptive innovations. As
part of the Govt. of India Delegation, I had
the opportunity to meet Mr. Tadashi Yanai,
Chairman of Fast Retailing, the holding
company of UNIQLO (indicating 58th in the
list of Fortune 500) who had a strong advice
to “Indian Apparel Industry”; Indian IT has
become quite successful and if IT can be
linked to Fashion” Indian fashion can gain an
edge in the global competitiveness.
The 3rd Convocation of IAM in the
backdrop of 53rd IIGF therefore assumes
significance. IIGF has featured the largest
number of stalls and you can see the visible
change in presentation and quality and
designs. With 187 students convocating,
from various UG/PG/Degree/Diploma
programs being the outcomes of our unique
‘multi-varsity concept’, we are happy that
they are joining the apparel industry which
is now witnessing ‘not just green shoots but
a full “spring”, whereas when they were
students, the markets were passing through
a downturn. The convocating group of
students have already begun their journey
with this industry and there is a strong
inclination among our students to pursue
their dreams by setting up entrepreneurial
ventures. We are eager that this ‘meme’
is transferred to the incoming students. I
also take this opportunity to welcome the
new students. I welcome and thank all the
graduating Students and their parents who
have come a long way to receive degrees and
diplomas today and wish the very best ahead
in their careers.
Let me now take you through a brief
review of the Academic year 2013-14
which has added few more milestones in
the journey towards becoming a Centre
of Excellence. The introduction of 4 year
B.Tech and new generation MBA programs
during 2013 are certainly helping IAM to
reposition itself. IAM for two consecutive
years has been awarded “National Education
Leadership Award” by the Media Group ABP
News & Dainik Bhaskar. IAM 2 years in a row
have also been listed amongst the top Public
Design Institutes by ‘Career 360 Magazine’
and also placed amongst the top fashion
Institutes by “Education World” Magazine.
IAM is the only institute which has achieved
such a feat in less than 5 years compared to
its peers with over 20-25 years history and
considerable financial outlays.