The Gujarat government is considering setting up a textile university, first of its kind in the country, at Surat with a cost of about Rs 800 to 900 crore. The university will provide all kind of support to the textile industry including skilled manpower, technology and R&D. It is likely to commence functioning in the next one and a half years.

In its endeavour for setting up the university, the government will get support from the textile industry.

Over 250 acre land has been identified near Surat for the university, according to Chandan Chatterjee, director of the state’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED).

“Our aim is not to just fulfil academic requirements of textile industry. This will serve in a many ways like support in R&D, policy making skill manpower training and all. For that we will tie up with various centres of excellence and other national and international institutes as per the requirements,” Chatterjee said.

The objective of the university will be to create a complete eco system for the textile industry in Gujarat. It will also guide the government in policy making for the industry.

-Apparel Talk, Indian Apparel