A delegation led by Mr. Feroz Ahmed, Secretary Ministry of Commerce will depart for London on 5 November 2006 for London for a five days visit to the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts (LCF). LCF, which has helped to develop and improve fashion training and education in Sri Lanka and in Turkey, is cooperating with UNIDO and the BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology to upgrade and expand the training and services provided at BIFT.

LCF is unique in the UK in specializing in fashion education, research and consultancy. With an international reputation, the aim of the institution is to reflect the breadth of opportunity available in this vibrant industry. It offers courses which combine practical experience and skills with a sound theoretical foundation.

The staff of highly experienced industry professionals ensures that students are kept aware of changing demands and opportunities in the fashion industry. The LCF faculty combine teaching with careers in industry, allowing them to pass on invaluable 'insider' knowledge to students, on the latest technologies, methods, and trends.

UOA has more than 24,000 students, 6,000 of whom are at LCF. Around half of LCF’s students come from outside the UK, form a more than 100 countries. The college offers full-time courses at vocational, under-graduate and post-graduate level aa well in-service training and short courses. Courses include Fashion Design and Technology, Design Management, Product Design and Development, Fashion Design and Development, Fashion Design Technology, and Fashion Design and Marketing.

The college provides consultancy services on fashion business and management, marketing, branding, production management, technology and quality assurance, product development, CAD/CAM, retail planning and store design, supply chain management, footwear, millinery and accessories, hair and beauty, product development, fashion journalism and media, event management, men’s, women’s and children’s wear, technical textiles and performance, tailoring, textile development and testing, film and theatre costume design and make-up.

The Fashion Technology Centre (FTC) of LCF is an industry service centre with a digital design studio, visualization suite (laser cutting, body scanning, CAD/CAM), a garment technology centre (fabric testing, sample production), a cosmetics science laboratory (product formulation, evaluation equipment), a film, theatre and TV laboratory (prosthetics, technical effects and costume workshops), a fashion laboratory (embroidery, knit, accessories, millinery and leather facilities), and a video editing suite.

The Fashion Business Resource Studio (FBRS) of LCF provides facilities for developing business contacts, building partnerships and collaborations, sharing of ideas with academics and researchers, and keeping up with latest trends and technologies. It also has a fashion library, and facilities for exhibitions, conferences, fashion shows, short-courses and seminars.

The delegation, accompanied by Mr Luigi Bertorelli, International Coordinator for the Textile-RMG component of BQSP, and will include Mr. Fazlul Hoque, President, BGMEA, Mr. Benajir Ahmed, President BIFT, Mr. Didar Atawar Husain Vice-Chairman BTMA, and Dr. Nazrul Islam, Principal BIFT. The purpose is to develop the programme of collaboration between LCF and BIFT through student and teacher exchange, transfer of technology, and curricula development. The visitors from Bangladesh will consult with Dr Frances Corner, Head of College, Mr Roy Peach, Dean of Postgraduate Studies; and staff of the the Marketing Department, Student Administration, and Course Administration and visit the college facilities which could provide a model fro the development BIFT.