Pakistan and Korea Join Forces to Boost Technical Textile R&D Capacity: NTU Rector
FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Aug, 2026) - Prof Dr Rashid Masood, Rector National Textile University (NTU) Faisalabad, has announced that a KOICA-funded program will train NTU scholars in advanced textile technologies as the Pakistan-Korea Technical Textile Center nears completion.
In a statement, he highlighted that ten doctoral scholars from Pakistan's NTU are currently participating in a two-week training program (August 17-30, 2026) in the Republic of Korea, facilitated by the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH). This initiative, under the KOICA Official Development Assistance (ODA) project titled "Strengthening of PAK-KOREA Technical Textile Center," aims to prepare the next generation of researchers for cutting-edge R&D at the upcoming center.
The program signifies a milestone in Pakistan-Korea cooperation, offering hands-on training at world-class facilities. Since the program's commencement on August 18, participants have engaged in a mix of theoretical instruction and practical training, utilizing KITECH's state-of-the-art research and pilot-production facilities.
The training curriculum covers major nonwoven manufacturing processes, enabling researchers to gain experience in nonwoven filter performance testing and chemical analysis of textile materials. On August 21, the scholars visited the Preview in Seoul (PIS) 2026 at COEX, exploring advanced textile materials and technologies exhibited by Korean and international companies.
This invitational training initiative, the final under the KOICA project, follows previous programs targeting Pakistani policymakers in 2024 and NTU faculty members in 2025. Over three years, the project has expanded its scope, beginning with policy stakeholders and now focusing on university faculty and graduate researchers. Earlier this year, the project contributed to the development of a Pakistan Technical Textiles Policy Proposal, offering strategic guidance for the sector's advancement.
The academic training concluded today, August 28, with a completion ceremony, followed by a Korean cultural experience.