2nd International Workshop of the Alumni Network "Education and Technology Transfer"from Febuary 15th to 19th 2010 at the College of Textile Technology (CTT) at University of Dhaka in Bangladesh

As part of the alumni network "Education and Technology Transfer", the 2nd international workshop took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh from Febuary 15th to 19th 2010 at the College of Textile Technology (CTT). This workshop was carried out as collaboration between the Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) of Technical University Dresden, the College of Textile Technology (CTT) of Dhaka University, and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD/Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) concerning  "Education and Technology Transfer for the Transition from Mass Production to High-quality Clothing and for the Manufacturing of Technical Textiles Regarding Technological, Economical, Industrial, and Environmental Aspects". This workshop ist part of the alumni network "Education and Technology Transfer", which is supported by Technical University Dresden, University Leipzig, LMU Munich, University Heidelberg, and FH Brandenburg, and funded through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD/Deutscher Akademischer Auslandsdienst).

The participants were graduates of the Master´s program Textile and Ready-made Technologies as well as current PhD students of the Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) of TU Dresden. Today, these alumni hold positions in various disciplines, ministries, and colleges/universities. The participants, who were supported by the DAAD and come from Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, actively contributed to the workshop by holding scientific lectures regarding their current employments. In addition, some local alumni also joined the opening events as well as selected seminars. TU Dresden´s ITM was represented by Prof. Cherif and Dr. Hund.

In his opening speech, Prof. Cherif (ITM) outlined the general objectives of the workshop. Honorary guest Professor Sutradhar, director of the Bangladesh Ministry of Education, praissed the long-standing collaboration between CTT and TU Dresden as well as the workshop itself, which is the first of its kind at CTT. Professor Cherif subsequently presented the comprehensive education and research activities at ITM. About 150 students of CTT Dhaka attended this opening event as well; therefore, this presentation served as opportunity to promote our study programs.

Within the first two days of the workshop, the alumni gave about 20 presentations, followed by lively discussions. The focus was on the management of resources, the manufacturing of high-quality clothing as well as technical textiles, educational issues, and the transfer of technology.

On the third day, the alumni visited CTT and the Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka. They received comprehensive information regarding education possibilities in the Bangladeshi textile sector.

On day four, they went on guided tours through various textile companies in Dhaka, such as Amber Cotton Mills, Partex Group, and Eyplling Group. Subsequently, they went on a sightseeing tour of Dhaka.

The final day served as an workshop evaluation session. All participants made positive comments in terms of the workshop, as they appreciated the profitable transfer of knowledge and the establishment of new international contacts and networks. 

In summary, the cooperation with the College of Textile Engineering and Technology of University of Dhaka and the overall organisation of the workshop in Bangladesh ran very smoothly. Nearly all alumni presentations were characterized by high scientific qualitiy. Contents of current PhDs at universities in Japan, Spain, and Dresden were presented and discussed. In addition to scientific topics, possibilities for enhancing exchanges of expertise and networking were reviewed as well. 

Field trips to educational institutions and textile companies have also been part of the workshop agenda. On the one hand, this pointed out the practical relevance of the previously discussed topics. On the other hand, these trips strengthened the networking between education and industry. 

The workshop was supported by the DAAD and, locally, by the Ministry of Education Bangladesh and the University of Dhaka, College of Textile Engineering and Technology - we would like to sincerely thank all these institutions!

(Autoren: M. Sc. M. M. B. Hasan, Dr.-Ing. J. Arnold)