Page 22 - TEXtalks May-June 2021

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The first Textile Nexus conference

was held in Jamshoro

The Textile Nexus was held on 09-10 June 2021 at conference had a research track too, where research
Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, papers of various topics related to textile applications
Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan, and organized by the were presented. The proceedings book of the
Department of Textile Engineering of the university in conference was also published with an ISBN number.
a hybrid mode (physical and online) and was
attended by textile industry professionals, national Few important recommendations developed at the
and international academicians, and students. conclusion of the first conference were:
Textile Nexus is a series of international conferences
for the textile sector launched in 2021. The Theme of - The academic institutes should be transformed to
the first conference was to Mobilize Industry- the universities of relevance focused at businesses
Academia Connectivity and aimed at exchanging around them. It was emphasized that the business
knowledge, experiences and ideas which could help schools of universities should take the lead role in
academic prosperity and sustainable growth of the devising the policies for the management of
textile sector in the post Covid-19 era. The first research projects, industry collaborations and
conference was partnered by the Soorty Enterprises entrepreneurial activities.
Pvt. Ltd. (one of the leading denim industries and - The triple as well as quadruple helix collaboration
top 10 exporters in Pakistan) and WWF-Pakistan, models should be practiced in a true spirit to
and was sponsored by NanoCLO (one of the improve the socio-economic and
start-up companies of the university). socio-environmental growth. Government funding
should be dispersed to private sectors too, and the
Physical participation was kept limited due to post multidisciplinary research is the need of today’s
pandemic situation. Only 50 audience participants complicated post pandemic scenario. And,
were registered for an auditorium (at US-Pakistan government policies and regulations should also be
Center for Advanced Studies in Water) having developed in a true collaboration with the industry
seating capacity of 200. And for online participation and the universities to create a feasible business
via ZOOM, around 400 participants from all around environment in all respects.
the world registered. The event proceeded with - The industry and academia should collaborate to
invited talks by renowned international develop indigenous raw materials and technologies
academicians and the leading textile industry to reduce imports and increase value added
experts. The event sessions covered the topics of exports. Further, sustainable technologies, functional
post covid-19 challeges for textile businesses, and high performance materials, nanofiber based
economic growth through innovation, collaboration medical and healthcare devices, and smart textiles
and industry services, functional materials and should be developed indigenously and may be
materials for healthcare and medical applications, improved in the production line of the industry for
nanotechnology and smart textiles. Additionally, the increasing export to the international markets.

May/June 2021