Textiles is one of the oldest industries, not just in India but in the whole world. However, education for this sector has seen massive shifts over the last couple of years. To begin with, the base for textile education itself has shifted from the Western countries to large parts of Asia. Further, there is so much more about textile education that we are unaware of. We at The Textile Magazine bring to you a series of articles, covering the various institutes that offer excellent undergraduate and post-graduate programmes.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) is the only one of its kind that offers both undergraduate and post-graduate programmes in textiles. One of the oldest in the field, IIT Delhi is currently headed by Prof. B.K. Behera. An alumnus of IIT Delhi with a Ph.D., he has vast knowledge of fabric manufacturing, product development, apparel production, image processing and sizing. He took some time off to share his valuable insights into the Textile Department of IIT Delhi. The Department is no different from other engineering departments at the institute. Admissions for the undergraduate courses are through the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and the post-graduate courses admit students through the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).
The number of students applying for textile courses has been dwindling considering the massive popularity of courses like computer science, mechanical, electrical, civil, etc., but the Department has held on to a decent number of applicants. There has, however, been a gradual rise in the number of girl applicants, especially for the undergraduate courses.
Prof. Behera says: “Textiles is capital intensive. The reason why there are so few institutes offering technical courses in textiles is because they cannot afford the required infrastructure.”
Considering that IITs need huge Government investments, the infrastructure in terms of equipments is far advanced. IIT Delhi thus prides itself of being able to provide the necessary infra support for fibre science and technology, yarn and fabric manufacturing as well as chemical processing.
He further observes: “IIT Delhi’s Textile Department has one of the best engagements with the industry. Companies like Welspun, Trident and Arvind are some of the companies that recruit personnel from it. As a matter of fact, IIT Delhi undertakes projects and offers technical consultations to these companies. Some major breakthrough research in the field has been undertaken by IIT Delhi’s Textile Department. It has developed what is called as the 3D weaving and textile composite material, financed by the Ministry of Textiles, to produce material for industries like automobiles, aerospace, etc. In the coming months, it will also have a special conference for CEOs and entrepreneurs with no adequate industry background, aimed to educate entrepreneurs and equip them with basic knowledge of the technical aspects of the industry.”
Referring to the lack of R&D efforts in the textile industry, he says: “Though in IIT Delhi we have quite a few research projects going on, overall the industry itself is lagging far behind in this regard.” Going forward, it is necessary to encourage more and more R&D efforts not only to help the industry grow but it also preserve its rich traditions. Further, there are very few students who want to pursue higher studies.
IIT Delhi has been a pioneer of sorts in making technical education available to students. The infrastructure, academic atmosphere, exposure and interaction with the industry make its Textile Department one of the best in the country, Prof. Behera adds.