The Department of Apparel Engineering at Textile Engineering College, Noakhali (TECN) will organise Apparel Fest 1.0 on 18 September 2026 at the TECN Auditorium to develop industry-ready textile and apparel professionals and promote continuous skills development.

The event will take place at the TECN Auditorium under the theme “Beyond Theory, Towards the Future of Apparel”, according to a press release.

The organisers said Bangladesh’s apparel industry is moving towards higher-value products, digitalisation, automation, and artificial intelligence, increasing the need to strengthen textile engineers’ technical and practical capabilities.

They also highlighted recent industry discussions on the importance of digital, technical, and supervisory skills to sustain the sector’s competitiveness.

The festival will offer practical exposure to industry supply chains, buyer requirements, buyer research, fashion trend forecasting, 2D and 3D digital design, Tech Pack development, 3D sampling, animation and digital product development through CLO-SET.

After a Skill Development Workshop by Poran-A, sessions on industry expectations, career opportunities and interactive Q&A will follow.

Participants will also have opportunities for evaluation, scholarships, course discounts, job placement and certification.

Featured speakers include R&D Professional and Textile Content Creator Nur Alam Nishat, and Online Textile School CEO Md Zakaria Alam Jiku, a former fabric technologist at NEXT, Lidl & Fung and Kenpark.

TECN eighth-batch alumnus Md Abu Sayed Patwary will also speak. He has been recommended for the BCS Administration cadre through the 46th BCS and the BCS Customs & Excise cadre through the 47th BCS.

The Career Guideline & Future Session will feature a panel discussion titled “The Future of BD Apparel: AI & Automation”, with TECN Principal Md Rakibul Islam in attendance.

The programme will conclude with an interactive quiz and prize-giving ceremony, a fashion show and a cultural night.

Through the festival, TECN aims to strengthen links between academic learning and industry requirements while encouraging textile engineers to continually upgrade their skills and prepare for a technology-driven apparel sector.