Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan :
Vision for Sustainable world
Manufacturing in 2050 will look very different from today, and will be virtually unrecognizable from that of 30 years ago. Successful firms will be capable of rapidly adapting their physical and intellectual infrastructures to exploit changes in technology as manufacturing becomes faster, more responsive to changing global markets and closer to customers.
Over the past few years, climate change issues have moved from the academic arena. Successful firms will also harness a wider skills base, with highly qualified Leaders and Managers whose expertise combines both commercial and technical acumen, typically in science, technology, engineering or textile.
Sustainable development requires some attitude shifts in thinking, consumption, design review, production patterns and business approach. At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under three goals related for green manufacturing in textile are- Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation and Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Influences of textile and clothing production on the environment and human health
Textile and clothing is a labor-intensive industry. It has many working procedures which form flow processes. Each process makes various influences on the environment and human health. Among all above factors, the environment influence includes exhaust fumes and waste water, materials pollutions, consumption of energy and water. Those harmful to human safety and health include excessive usage of pesticides and formaldehyde and other chemicals, noise pollution and air pollution in textile and clothing plants.
As we gain knowledge more and more about the ecological problems the planet is facing, it becomes increasingly important to find ways to conserve our natural resources. When we recycle, use fewer petroleum products and household chemicals, and purchase environmentally friendly products, we are making an investment in our planet’s future.
Education for Creating Knowledge Based Textile Society
Education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world. The importance of education is our life cannot be ignored at any cost. Education is the only way to get knowledge. Education also helps to develop healthy surroundings. This concept is even more important in order to keep sustainable development of our RMG Sector keeping in mind that every workplace is compliant in terms of building on fire safety standards and work place safety.
To remain strategic competitive and ahead in the global business of the RMG sector knowledge of social ethical compliance across all teams in the factory is very important indeed. This ultimately reduce the risk of non- compliance, which will result lower cost of audits, production and performance knowledge management system. A knowledge based community only can ensure comfortable exchanges of business interest by linking of the industry components. To improve long term competitiveness it is urgent need for Bangladesh to improve its human resources development-A cadre of qualified experienced HR professionals so they can support enterprises to develop skilled motivated workforces.
Education on Green Manufacturing
Sustainable higher Education has emerged in response to calls for universities to lead society towards a sustainable future and is considered a distinct but interdisciplinary specialization of study and practice within sustainability science and education. Higher education is generally seen as a major catalyst to work towards sustainable development. The urgent societal need and broader call for sustainable development allow higher education to assume a fundamental and moral responsibility in contributing to sustainable development. Through their societal mandate of advancing knowledge, educating leaders, and furthering societal progress and engagement, institutions of higher education should be moral visionaries and centres of sustainability innovation and excellence.
Higher education has a critical role to play in producing sustainable students by them to understand the complex connections and interdependencies between the environment, energy sources, and the economy.
The education required to accomplish this is a new way of thinking and learning about integrated, systemic solutions not to the economic and environmental challenges but also the interdependent health, social and political challenges. Above all, this new way of thinking uses the green economy as the focal point for understanding the deep connections between economics, energy, the environment and social well-being.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) over the years has become an integral part of the companies worldwide. Scope of CSR has been revolving over the years, and now it have been defined as the activities those helps the society in and around of the company. Alongside the contributions to the society, CSR would benefit the company in gaining more profitability, which brings a better business case for the investors. It is true that many of those benefits would not be visible to the owners, if they really cannot look out of short term gains. They have to see the medium to long term perspectives. RMG and textiles being the largest manufacturing sector of Bangladesh deserves more attention and so new programme has been launched three years ago recently in BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT).
Major concern is now that how to shaping up future University Graduate for educating with sustainable knowledge’s and making university with sustainable learning at higher education institutions.
In Bangladesh, BUFT would like to bring the business and academic community together, to enhance the knowledge and application of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and innovative leadership within the Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector in order to promote: socio-economic development; environmental protection; international compliance; and equal participation of women in mid- and top-level positions. Research works on i) Business Case ii) Benchmarking the RMG Sector, iii) Interventions Regarding CSR in RMG& Textiles Sector of Bangladesh. iv) Sexual Reproductive Health and Right practices of the RMG Sector. v) Drivers for Transformational change of the RMG Sector were carried out in BUFT in order to show the importance of research and analytical works in Textile, RMG & Fashion sector in Bangladesh.
Public and private universities should also look into these important areas of concern which can introduce certificate and short courses on Recycling, Green Technology, Innovative Leadership and occupational Health and Safety, etc. Universities can work jointly in these research and academic activities.
It is believed that after completing the course the students will have a clear understanding of sustainability challenges on both global level as well as for the RMG sector in Bangladesh; clear understanding of the concept of CSR and the driving forces behind it; and are able to give arguments why the RMG sector in Bangladesh should put CSR into practice.
Education is widely accepted as one of the leading instrument for promoting economic development. Knowledge-based competition within a globalising economy is prompting a fresh consideration of the role of higher education in economic development and growth. Developed countries considered their knowledge-base as the weapon to survive. Bangladesh also started thinking and taking appropriate steps nationally about it. Economic development will be determined by intellectual properties in the coming days and we should start preparing from today. Higher educated people working in universities should start collaborative works in this regard as early as possible.
(Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan is a C. Text. FTI, U. K. Textile Institute Holden Medal Award Winner & Vice-Chancellor (Acting), BUFT, E-mail: [email protected])
