New Delhi, Oct 12 (IANS) The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) for industry specific training programmes.
“The MoU aims at starting educational programmes in the skill based domains of apparel, garments, fashion designing, which will ensure employment to a large section of the society,” said AEPC Chairman Rakesh Vaid.

The open university will offer certificate, diploma and degree programmes at the undergraduate level right now. The programmes are expected to start from January 2010.

“Big institutions in our country teach about textile but do not give emphasis to garmenting. The MoU with IGNOU would provide that. Our curriculum would also improve with the varsity’s help,” Vaid added.

IGNOU’s vice chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, who was present on the occasion, lauded the AEPC for the move to educate and empower thousands of youth who want to join the apparel industry for gainful careers.

The MoU also includes exploration of possibilities to set up activity centre to create avenues for gainful employment in textile, apparel, lifestyle and retail sectors.