Textile technology

THERE is nothing that does not contain textile in some form or the other. Textiles include woven, knitted or printed fabrics used for making clothes, furnishings, upholstery, carpets, lace etc. A toothbrushhas nylon fibre, shoes have laces and a textile layer, cars have upholstered seats, and nylon tyres. Polyester fabric is used asprosthesis in the heart to replace worn-out blood vessels and a rocket has a high performance carbon fibre in it.

Textile technology, once considered a handicraft, has become a highly sophisticated, scientific and engineering activity thanks to the invention of new types of fibres and technologies. The field encompasses different areas of engineering such as mechanical, electrical, computer, chemical, instrumentation, electronic and structural engineering. Apparel and fashion technology, a part of textile technology has become an important activity for the designing, fashioning and marketing of garments. All this requires knowledge of latest technology and the present day textile-design students are poised to take up the challenge. The knitwear and process sectors especially, are witnessing change in abig way.

The textile industry in India is one of the oldest industries. It provides direct employment to nearly thirty million people! Yarn exports in recent years have gone up from 485 thousand tonnes, (valued at Rs.586 billion) in 1997-98, to 554 thousand tonnes (valued at Rs. 667.4 billion) in 1999-2000. Textile fairs held every year showcase new technology and developments that have taken place in the industry including weaving, knitting, testing, printing and dyeing.

Technical textiles offer an excellent opportunity not only for the revival of the Indian textile industry but also a new direction, newways and means to sustain and thrive in the near future. An average of 4% growth in technical textiles is expected during the period from1995-2005. It is expected to reach US$61 million by year 2005 from US$42 million in 1995.

Jobs

Positive changes need to take place in the textile industry to cope with industry demand. As our textile technology is of a high standard, textile students can find a place in cotton corporations, test houses for cotton fibres and yarn testing. Batliboi & Company who supplying sophisticated high speed knitting machines offers training programmes to graduates, who are interested in starting knitting industries. A number of yarn export units absorb textile graduates as trainees as do major textile machinery manufacturers. Textile composite mills, which are intospinning, weaving and garment making, too take fresh graduates. There isscope in both the export and domestic sector for those with thespecialised training. The starting salary ranges from Rs. 8,000 to Rs.15,000 per month. A number of software units also recruit textile graduates with an attractive starting salary of Rs. 20,000 per month.

Study

The course syllabus has been constantly updated taking into account the recommendation made by the NCUTE. The Ministry of Textiles has started a nodal centre for the upgrading of textile education, which is responsible for improving the standards of education in the institutions and polytechnics offerin0g the course.

Jaya Engineering College, a self-financing college affiliated to Anna University in Chennai, offers a four-year engineering degree programme(B.Tech) in Textile Engineering. Students have to appear for a commonentrance exam to be admitted to the course. Diploma holders are admitted in the second year under the lateral entry scheme. There is also a proposal to start a postgraduate programme.

Institutes such as IIT Delhi, Anna University and Bombay University offer a postgraduate course in the subject. Lakshmi Machine Works has established a section in the Department of Mechanical Engineering to undertake research in textile machinery development. Students who hold a degree in mechanical engineering can do an M.Tech in textile engineering. A post of 'chair professor' named after Dr. G.K. Devarajulu also has been created in IIT Bombay in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Since under the dual-degree programme, students of textile technology can do computer science and information technology courses by spending an extra year, they are well suited for software companies. Using Internet and multimedia facilities sourcing, merchandising, marketing and planning are possible. New and user-friendly computer aided systems can be developed for garment industry novices.

Girls who have a degree or a diploma in textile technology are eminently suitable for working in a garment unit. Diploma students can also do adegree under the lateral scheme to upgrade their qualifications. One can also do a diploma with AMIE in Textile Engineering. The Textile Institute, Manchester, UK also conducts courses such as ATI(Associateship of Textile Institute) that is considered an equivalent toa degree in textile technology. They also provide a scholarship to prospective students for studying in UK. After graduation students canalso start their own industries to produce and process specialised yarns and fabrics.

Many industries such as sizing units, texturing units, processing houses and finishing units can be started on a small scale. There is a need forstarting testing laboratories with sophisticated testing equipment which an excellent line for qualified graduates.

Opportunities are available for higher studies in the subject. The BSRB conducts competitive examinations. While TNPSC/UPSC /SSC /ICAR /DRDO/AICTE select candidates for top-level executive positions in the government and other institutions. Self- employment in many fields of textile technology is becoming an attractive option for bright young entrepreneurs who wish to strike out on their own. Functional expertise and a will to persevere often spells success in this booming industry.

Prof. V. SUBRAMANIAM

opportunities@cxknetworks.com