Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd has incorporated Kothari Industrial IUAD Design Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Italy’s IUAD – Istituto Universitario di Architettura e Design, establishing what the company said is India’s first international design institution.
The institution, to be located at Hosur in Tamil Nadu, aims to combine Italian design excellence with India’s manufacturing capabilities, entrepreneurial ecosystem and innovation strengths to create globally competitive designers and creative professionals.
Industry-focused learning
The institution is envisaged as a globally connected centre of excellence that will bridge academia and industry by integrating education, research, technology, manufacturing, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Its mission is to help transform India’s image from a contract manufacturing destination into a country recognised for design excellence, innovation, product creation and globally admired brands.
Training methodology
About 30% of learning will be through classroom teaching, design studios, academic instruction and creative workshops.
The remaining 70% will focus on practical learning through industry-simulated production floors, innovation centres, prototyping laboratories, digital design facilities and advanced manufacturing environments on the campus.
Wide range of programmes
The institution plans to offer programmes in product design, footwear design, leather goods and accessories design, fashion design, apparel design, furniture and interior design, visual communication, fashion communication, fashion management and lifestyle and luxury product design.
It also plans to establish Centres of Excellence in product innovation, advanced manufacturing technologies, sustainable design, material innovation, artificial intelligence in design, digital product development, entrepreneurship and start-ups, and design research and industry collaboration.
Leadership comment
“Kothari Industrial IUAD Design: We believe this initiative will contribute significantly towards positioning India among the world’s leading centres for design, innovation and design-led manufacturing,” said Jinnah Rafiq Ahmed, Chairman of the initiative.