Orientation programme for BSc. Fashion and Lifestyle Technology at UIFT & PU –Lectures and workshops on Career, Design and Fashion
University Institute of Fashion Technology & Vocational Development(UIFT & VD), Panjab University, welcomed the first semester students of B.Sc Fashion and Lifestyle technology into the vibrant academic and creative culture of the department. The orientation program organized by the department scheduled lectures and interactive sessions to help students become familiar with the new domain that they are going to thrive in. The introduction by faculty members was followed by a lecture by Dr. Ramandeep on ‘Fashion Industry and Careers in Fashion’. She elaborated on the vast number of opportunities that are being generated by the Indian apparel and textile industry, which is the second largest after China. The fashion industry is endowed with numerous careers such as in the retail sector one can work as a store manager, sales representative, Department head, fashion stylist, fashion photographer, visual merchandiser, fashion consultant and so on. Even with the skills learned, one can start up their own brand as an entrepreneur. Associate Director of Central Placement Cell, Panjab University, Dr. Amandeep Singh Marwaha inculcated a vision of converting their skill and labour into worthy professions. He extended his knowledge on getting onto the right channels to establish start-ups and to avail of the right professional positions. The Skill Development programs of the university also provide funding to entrepreneurs of the new age and provide them a good foundation. In a world of complex networking and marketing, it becomes essential to utilize the potential of Marketing heads to survive. The students then toured the campus and given the schedule of the next day of the upcoming lectures on styling, effective communication strategies, and design processes.
On the second day of orientation Program of B.Sc students, the first workshop focused on the subject of colours and styling by Ms. Gargi. She exhibited a number of creative portfolios to corroborate the aesthetic value added and enhanced by colours and how it has to be learned with practice and permutations. Another session was on ‘Effective Communication Strategies for Designers’ by Prof. Deepti Gupta, Department of English and Cultural Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Students learned about active and passive vocabulary, Jargon, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students also learnt about the need and importance of setting goals, soft skills and hard skills. The concluding session was organised by Dr.Parneet from the department on the topic of ‘Design Process and its importance in Fashion Product Development’. She elaborated on the aspect of digital designing, and how it has altered the definitions of Fashion products in this era. The designs also demand an element of sustainability given the depletion of natural resources and the repercussions of chemicals produced by Textile industry. The sessions proved to be an eye opener for the students and exposed them to the new dimensions of the subjects they will studying in their curriculum.
