Bunon Bee hosted the seventh episode of its Industry & Academia Bridge Panel Discussion Series, titled “Let’s Meet the Industry Owner,” bringing together key figures from Bangladesh’s textile sector and academia to discuss stronger collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two spheres.
The event featured two prominent couples representing both sides of the dialogue — the industry and academia. From the industry, Muksudha Chowdhury, Managing Director of Stylish Garments Limited, and Salauddin Chowdhury, Chairman of AC Industrial Group and Director of DBC News, shared their insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the realities of the apparel business. Representing academia, Engr. Md. Ariful Islam, Country Manager of Suzhou Yingxing Textile Co., Ltd., and Engr. Afsana Jahan Mim, Chairman of AIFT Apparels Institute of Fashion & Technology – Bangladesh, discussed how educational institutions can better prepare students for the evolving demands of the textile industry.
The session was moderated by Md. Sala Uddin, Advisor for Textile & Garments Merchandising and Head of Operation at Bunon Bee. The audience included enthusiastic student representatives from leading textile engineering colleges such as BTEC and PTEC, including Md. Jahirul Islam, Sarmin Sultana Lima, and Khadiza Khatun.
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Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industrial practice. They highlighted the importance of internships, factory visits, and hands-on learning to prepare students for real-world challenges.
The academic couple, Engr. Md. Ariful Islam and Engr. Afsana Jahan Mim, noted that limited exposure to industry practices often restricts students’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge effectively. In response, the industry couple, Salauddin Chowdhury and Muksudha Chowdhury, not only committed to supporting students’ career development and offering industrial visits but also shared practical guidance on becoming successful entrepreneurs.
Md. Sala Uddin advised textile students to avoid switching jobs frequently if they aspire to become entrepreneurs. He emphasized that before starting their own ventures, young professionals should dedicate at least five years to gaining experience in the industry, while building strong networks and mastering sourcing skills. His remarks resonated deeply with the audience, offering valuable direction for those seeking long-term success in Bangladesh’s competitive apparel sector.
Concluding the event, both sides agreed on a shared commitment to building a sustainable partnership that nurtures skilled human resources for Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry. The panel reinforced that closer cooperation between industry and academia is essential to maintaining Bangladesh’s position as a leading global apparel manufacturing hub.
The initiative by Bunon Bee continues to serve as a vital platform for fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration between textile education and the apparel business ecosystem.
