Since its establishment, the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) has played a pivotal role in shaping Bangladesh’s textile, apparel, and fashion education. What began as a modest institute in 2012 has now evolved into a full-fledged university producing highly skilled professionals for the country’s most vital export industry.
In this exclusive interview with Fashion Business Journal (FBJ), Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan, Vice Chancellor (Acting) of BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT), one of BUFT’s founding figures, reflects on the university’s remarkable journey — from its early days as BIFT to becoming a hub for innovation, research, and international collaboration. He discusses how BUFT is bridging the gap between academia and industry, integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies into its curriculum, and preparing the next generation of textile and fashion leaders to compete on the global stage.
Below are the highlights from our conversation with Prof. Nabi, where he shares insights on BUFT’s transformation, its approach to green education, and its global ambitions for the future.
FBJ: How would you describe BUFT’s transformation from its inception to where it stands today?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: This is a great opportunity for me to share my experience and explain why I have been involved with BUFT since its inception. The journey of BUFT began as the BGMEA Institute of Fashion & Technology (BIFT) in 2000 to train skilled manpower for the textile and RMG industries. Back in 2012, when I joined there, the university offered programs such as Fashion Design Technology, Apparel Manufacturing Technology, Knitwear Manufacturing Technology, Master’s in Apparel Merchandising, Fashion Design, several merchandising short courses, and one postgraduate diploma. These were the main programs that BUFT, previously known as BIFT, carried out in the early years.
After my joining, when the institute became a full-fledged university, we introduced several new departments — Textile Engineering, Textile Engineering Management, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), English, Apparel Merchandising and Management, Fashion Design, and Fashion Studies. Gradually, we also added programs like Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Industrial Engineering.
We started our journey with around 200 students. From the beginning, the main objective was to produce skilled and competent graduates for Bangladesh’s textile and RMG industry — especially for R&D — since there has always been a shortage of qualified professionals in this field. That was the vision behind BGMEA’s initiative to establish this institution, which began as BIFT and later evolved into BUFT.
Over the past 25 years, our graduates have been successfully contributing to the industry. The employment rate of BUFT graduates is impressive. Our graduates are well-prepared for the industry, equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that enable them to adapt quickly and perform effectively in real-world environments.
I have witnessed remarkable changes over the years. Initially, we operated from a rented house in Uttara. But in 2017, we moved to our permanent campus in Nishatnagar, Turag — a milestone that truly marked a new chapter for BUFT. Within just five years of becoming a university, BUFT established a full-fledged campus equipped with modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, and state-of-the-art educational facilities. Today, we have around 7,000 students enrolled across different departments, and the number continues to grow each year.
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Our campus now includes separate canteens, spacious common rooms for male and female students, medical facilities with qualified doctors, and active sports programs — all contributing to a vibrant academic environment. These developments reflect the transformation you referred to. Of course, improvement is an ongoing process, and our vision is to make BUFT a model university in Bangladesh. Within the next two to three years, I believe BUFT can become the country’s leading institution in textile, R&D, and fashion education — even attracting a growing number of foreign students in the near future.
FBJ: The gap between academia and industry is often discussed in Bangladesh. How is BUFT addressing this gap to produce industry-ready graduates?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: That’s a very important issue, and I believe BUFT stands out in this regard. We have built a strong and enduring partnership with the industry. Many of our trustees and board members are themselves leading industrialists who deeply understand the evolving needs of the sector.
Our curricula are designed based on real industry demand. We continuously review and update our programs in line with employers’ requirements. This collaboration makes BUFT unique — our close connection with BGMEA, BTMA, BKMEA, and other industrial associations ensures that students receive practical exposure and acquire the skills the industry truly needs.
Each of these associations represents thousands of member factories, which also makes job placement for BUFT graduates easier and more direct. As a result, BUFT enjoys more than 90% job placement for its graduates.
FBJ: What do you believe are the most critical skills the next generation of textile and fashion professionals must develop to stay competitive globally?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: Today’s job market is highly competitive. To succeed — whether as professionals or entrepreneurs — students must develop both technical expertise and soft skills. They need to be competent, adaptable, and technologically aware. Understanding the technologies driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) — such as artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and nanotechnology — is increasingly crucial as these innovations rapidly reshape the textile and fashion industries.
In addition, students should strengthen their communication, negotiation, and English-speaking skills — areas where many still need improvement. Life skills, creativity, and agility are equally essential to keep pace with global changes.
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At BUFT, we invite industry experts specializing in HR, compliance, innovation, and soft skills to conduct regular sessions. This helps students bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world industrial practices, preparing them to be industry-ready from day one.
FBJ: How do you view the integration of advanced technologies such as AI, automation, and digital fashion in textile education?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: We are already embedding Industrial Revolution 4.0 (4IR) content into our curricula, and the government has been very supportive of this shift. In private universities, though, there are occasional delays—particularly with approvals from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Nonetheless, at BUFT we have managed to integrate modern technologies—such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital tools—into courses like Yarn Manufacturing, Fashion Technology, Industrial Engineering, and Apparel Manufacturing.
To deepen students’ exposure, we regularly invite industry professionals working at the cutting edge of these disciplines to share their expertise. Moreover, we run focused short-term programs (two to four months) through collaborations with organizations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Ministry of Finance under the Industry Competitiveness & Skill Development Project.
These specialized courses cover 3D fashion design, AI applications, robotics, nanotechnology, and pattern design, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience with the technologies shaping the future of the global textile and apparel industries.
FBJ: Bangladesh’s apparel industry is moving toward green manufacturing. Do you think universities are adapting fast enough to support this transition?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: Yes, the transformation is well underway, and the concept of green manufacturing and sustainability has become more important than ever. Today’s industries prefer graduates who understand sustainability, waste recycling, and the 3R concept — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Around five to six years ago, we introduced a full three-credit course on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) — likely the first of its kind at the university level in Bangladesh. This course covers leadership, sustainability, recycling, and cradle-to-cradle concepts.
At present, a government-led initiative supported by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) is exploring how to embed ‘green education’ across disciplines — and BUFT is actively contributing to that national discussion.
FBJ: How can Bangladesh enhance its research capacity to become a true global knowledge hub in fashion and textiles — not just a production base?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: That’s a very relevant question. To transform from a manufacturing base into a global knowledge hub, collaboration between academia and industry is essential. Research should not be limited to universities — industries themselves must engage in R&D to drive innovation and competitiveness.
Our competitor countries are far ahead of us in terms of research and innovation. To stay competitive globally, we must prioritize research funding, strengthen university–industry collaboration, and encourage more applied research that addresses the real needs of our industry.
At BUFT, we have already established a dedicated R&D Department led by a Director of Research. Recently, we also received approval for the BGMEA Institute of Textile and Apparel Research (BITAR), through which we are conducting applied research in product development, process optimization, quality improvement, compliance, green technology, and competitiveness.
The industry also needs to invest more in research as without strong R&D, sustainable progress will remain out of reach. BUFT has built partnerships with several local industries as well as international institutions. We are currently engaged in projects with organizations in the Netherlands, Denmark, the European Union, and Manchester Metropolitan University.
One notable initiative, conducted in partnership with the RVO Netherlands, focused on textile waste recycling — specifically developing value-added products from waste through prototyping and design innovation.
These research initiatives mark an encouraging step forward, and I believe Bangladesh’s research and innovation capacity in textiles and fashion will continue to expand in the coming years.
FBJ: Which policy reforms do you think are most urgently needed to strengthen the textile education ecosystem in Bangladesh?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: Textile education in Bangladesh has a long and rich history — it actually dates back more than a hundred years. If we look back to the early 1900s, even during the days of the Indian subcontinent, there were what we could call “mobile textile schools.” These institutions would travel to different regions across Bengal that were known for specific textile crafts and provide hands-on training to weavers, spinners, and dyers. That was how structured textile education first began in this region.
Over time, these scattered initiatives evolved into formal institutions. What eventually became the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) started as a small college offering diploma-level education, which later developed into a degree-granting institution and ultimately a full-fledged university in 2010.
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Today, Bangladesh has a strong foundation in textile education. There are more than 40 institutions offering textile-related programs at the secondary and diploma levels, under the Directorate of Textiles. Around eight public colleges currently provide undergraduate degrees in textile engineering, along with several private universities that have established specialized departments in this field.
Among the private universities, the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) stands out as a comprehensive institution — offering programs that cover the entire textile and apparel value chain under one umbrella. From Textile Engineering, Textile Engineering and Management and Apparel Manufacturing to Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, and Fashion Design Technology, BUFT integrates all these disciplines within a single institution. Even many established universities, including BUTEX, do not have such a wide interdisciplinary setup.
In my view, to strengthen the textile education ecosystem, Bangladesh needs a central coordinating authority — perhaps a dedicated Directorate of Textile Education. This body could oversee all levels of textile education, from SSC and diploma programs to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Such an umbrella structure would help align curricula, maintain quality standards, and ensure that the entire system — from grassroots technical training to advanced research — works in harmony to meet the evolving needs of the national and global textile industry.
FBJ: BUFT has already earned recognition as a leading institution for textile and fashion education in Bangladesh. Looking ahead, how do you foresee BUFT’s role evolving globally?
Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan: Yes, our vision goes far beyond the national level — we aim to strengthen our presence and reputation globally.
At present, we have established collaborations with around 22 foreign universities and organizations. These include partnerships with NIFT (India), Manchester Metropolitan University (UK), Saxon University (Netherlands), Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Tianjin Polytechnic University (China), and Chengdu Textile College (China), Textile Science and Technology University in China, among others.
We are also proud members of several international associations — such as the International Apparel Federation (IAF), the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), the International Textile Institute (UK) and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, etc. These collaborations and memberships reflect our growing international engagement and credibility.
Moreover, our faculty members and graduates are making significant contributions abroad — pursuing their Master’s and PhD degrees and working successfully with global brands like H&M, Seidensticker, Rab, PVH, NEXT, JCPenney, Marks & Spencer, and Primark. Their achievements highlight the global footprint of our institution’s academic and professional standards.
Looking forward, we are also planning to introduce new departments and programs in emerging fields such as Fashion Design, Material Science, Fashion Media and Marketing. Another important area we are exploring is the introduction of a Law program, focusing on sustainability law, industrial law, and labour law, integrated with the evolving needs of the textile and apparel industry.
Through these initiatives, we hope to play an even more impactful role — not only in Bangladesh but across Asia and the global textile education ecosystem.
