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Textiles being Pakistan’s largest
industrial sector generate the country’s highest export
earnings of about 67%, providing the bulk of employment
(39%) to a largely under utilized work force. The high
levels of unemployment and under-employment are mainly
on account of the low skill levels, low literacy and
poor managerial efficiencies of the job market.
Recognizing this gap, TIP was founded in 1994 under the
aegis of APTMA, to fill the much growing vacuum. The key
objective was to provide professional education and
training to a new class of young professionals by honing
their practical skills in addition to providing the
necessary theoretical knowledge.
The
institute was purpose built (200,000 sq.ft. covered
area) along a state of the art architectural design by a
leading architect on 50 acres of land located on the
National Highway about 30 minutes drive from the
airport. The architecture features of interior and
exterior design are in consonance with the climatic and
topographical need to soften the harshness of Karachi’s
physical and social environment. While not ostentatious,
the premises are air-conditioned and fitted with
pleasant fixtures, wood work and finishing. The
exterior is adorned with beautifully sprawling lawns and
an artificial lake complete with related fauna in its
natural habitat.
Realizing the importance of this
segment to Pakistan’s export potential, the Export
Promotion Bureau has played a significant role in the
development of TIP in the shape of generous financial
assistance through the EDF (export development fund).
The campus houses all requisite
facilities as per internationally acceptable standards
such as an extensive library with individual and group
study facilities together with an audio-visual room and
CD room. The computer lab has a dedicated 384Kbps Internet facility and a CAD/CAM lab complete with
designing software. The science laboratories and
technical laboratories (specialized textile labs)
including spinning, fabric formation, wet processing, testing,
and apparel
labs have all been equipped and installed for hands on
training in a simulated environment. The apparel lab has
its own equipment and computers with related pattern
making and stitching software. Computers have also been
installed in the hostels to enable hostelites to avail
this facility for homework and other assignments. The
entire faculty, management, staff and students are
transported to and from the campus on TIP’s
air-conditioned vehicles for purposes of safety and
punctuality from all points in and around Karachi.
Since its establishment, TIP has
served the needs of industry to a large extent and is
gearing up its resources to meet their further
requirements. So far, all TIP graduates have been taken
up by the domestic textile industry barring those who
have gone abroad in pursuit of higher education. The
dearth of trained managerial technical manpower is so
acute in this sector that TIP has not been able to keep
pace with demand for fear of compromising standards as
TIP was set up as a trust and is not in the business of
making money. In addition to the limitations on turning
out appropriately educated and skilled graduates, TIP is
also called upon to design and deliver a host of short
courses of 2-8 weeks duration on a variety of practical
issues / problems faced on the shop floor by supervisory
level employees and other skilled workers. Modern
teaching facilities with a unique and rational problem
solving approach to learning is imparted.
With an independent charter granted
by the Government of Sindh, TIP is authorized to award
its own degrees under recognition of the Higher
Education Commission (HEC). Initially, TIP’s course
content and syllabi were developed by faculty at the
Clemson University, USA with which there was a student
exchange program for the award of degrees. Credits
obtained at TIP are still transferable. TIP also has a
new higher educational link through the British Council,
with the University of Manchester and its William lee
innovation Centre (WLIC). This enables TIP to adopt and
upgrade its educational standards according to the
changing demands of a changing global industry and
market. Two faculty members from England’s universities
are the external examiners to test and monitor TIP’s
standards of education service delivery, for both the
undergraduate and graduate programs.
Further, TIP’s close ties with the
local textile industry through APTMA enable all
internships to be arranged through APTMA’s member units
where real training in an actual environment is
conducted. TIP also hosts a number of seminars and
symposium in conjunction with APTMA, the British Council
and the Higher Education Commission. WLIC being our link
partner, is closely associated.
Pakistan’s effort in the industrial sector in the past
50 years had been at best, haphazard and sporadic.
Individual mills may or may not have adopted universal
standards and operating practices. Today, with the
setting up of a formally structured learning centre at
TIP, APTMA has demonstrated its ability to piece
together an effort in concert preparatory to the
impending global challenges that are anticipated by all
of Asia as well as the textile world. |
