Fiker Tesfu, Endegena Eshet & Mastewal Alemu who were former graduates of Textile Engineering & fashion design at BDU had shared their successful experiences as consultants & researchers; company CEO & owners & international fashion designing achievements.
Professor Tamirat Tesfaye, scientific director of the institute, had opened the podium paying gratitude for the alumni who came to share their real life experiences in the industry.
He indicated that the apparel sector has a 1.79 trillion dollar global market share offering job opportunities for 400 million people.The sector had contributed about 47% of the hard currency the country generated from the manufacturing sector in 2022. He added that the country has a vast market opportunity of 120+ million people for the apparel sector. Besides, if the import substitution policy of the country is fully realized, it will expand job opportunities & expansion of the garment industry which will replace 53% of the second hand garment ("bonda" clothes) imported thereby increasing demand for EiTEX graduates.
Ato Fiker who is a manager of Vestis Garment Production PLC, tried to show students the global volatility of the apparel market affected by geopolitical factors & a need for speed fast policy response to it. As an example, encouraging companies to produce for local & regional markets is helping to withstand AGOA restrictions & potential tarrif setbacks. He also emphasized the importance of widening networking opportunities for EiTEX to have policy level impacts. Finally, he tried to show stages in which entrepreneurial projects success can be guaranteed.
Mr.Endegena Eshete, founder & CEO of Spark Apparel PLC., advised students that their university years are important periods when their future companies will be crafted. Hence, students are needed to utilize their resourceful workshops & laboratories to develop their all rounded competences.
Mastewal Alemu who was able to present her fashion designs in Milan fashion weeks & appeared on the prestigious Vogue magazine advised students to engage in self-exploration excercises & figuring-out their life long professional roles beyond scoring outstanding grades. Besides, she requested students to experiment with various fabrics, beyond the traditional ones, in their fashion designing excercises.
Dr.Medhanit Belachew, ISC director for EiTEX institute, finally closed the stage offering gratitude to the presenters & the attendees reminding such podiums will continue in the future.