Seventh textile research conference held at BUFT in Dhaka, with sustainable materials and AI in focus
The 7th BUFT-CRESAT Textile Research Conference (TRC) 2026 has been held in Dhaka to encourage research, innovation and sustainable development in the textile and apparel industry. The conference was organised on October 31 at the auditorium of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) at Nishantnagar in Turag, Dhaka. Academics, researchers, industry entrepreneurs and professionals from home and abroad took part.
At the inaugural session, the welcome address was delivered by Professor Engineer Mohammad Rubaiyat Chowdhury, dean of BUFT's Faculty of Apparel Studies. The inaugural speech was given by Abu Sadat M. Sayem, textile programme leader at the UK's Loughborough University and founder of CRESAT.
The chief guest was Professor Mamun Ahmed, chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh. The special guest was Md. Mesba Uddin Ali, chairman of BUFT's Board of Trustees. The conference was chaired by the university's nominated vice-chancellor, Professor Engineer Ayub Nabi Khan. International experts were also present.
The speakers' addresses covered research, technological progress and innovation in the textile and apparel industry in the international arena.
Research papers were presented and discussed in the conference's technical sessions. Topics included recycling of textile waste, sustainable materials, the use of artificial intelligence in apparel production, smart textiles, renewable energy, and compliance with environmental regulations in textile exports.
Among the attractions of the event were the BUFT-CRESAT-Centro Digital Fashion Catwalk Competition (DFCC) 2026 and the CRESAT 5-Minute Research Competition 2026.
