From July 5 to 12, 2017, the short-term program on textiles, “KIT Holistic Textile Summer School 2017”, was held by KIT Center for Fiber and Textile Science. Utilizing the international network of KIT, which has tradition in textile research, a total of 31 students from 8 universities participated, including Donghua University (China), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong), Yeungnam University (Korea), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), The University of Malaya (Malaysia), Helwan University (Egypt), Pamukkale University (Turkey) and ESEIAAT of Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Spain).

The program included lectures and laboratory tours by KIT faculty members of Fiber Science and Engineering and Applied Biology, introducing a wide range of fields of textile research that KIT takes pride in. The students had the opportunity to learn and experience the Kyoto Shibori dyeing, and the Furoshiki wrapping. They learned about the culture and spread of the textile industry in Kyoto and they visited Kawashima Selkon Textiles Co., Ltd, where they had the chance to observe the actual large scale manufacturing process of drop curtains and learn about Japan’s modernization, textile industry history and development.

On the final day, each student presented the kind of potential collaboration they envision with Japan on their home country’s textile technology and industry. Based on the content of the program, various ideas were presented, reflecting the circumstances of each country, such as applying the Japanese textile technology to the national costumes of each country or as a solution to environmental problems.

The students worked seriously on the discussions among students consisting of diverse nationalities and enjoyed not only the academic aspects but also the Japanese culture. Moreover, many suggested that their desire to study in Japan had increased. This project is expected to lead to more active partnerships and student exchange with the partner universities.

• Dyeing experience
• Laboratory visit
• Presentation per team
• Completion ceremony