The fifth edition of the TEXSUM Textile Summit, held at Bursa Uludağ University (BUÜ), convened leading textile professionals, academics, and students to explore the transformation of the textile industry. Organized by BUÜ’s Textile Engineering Society in collaboration with the Uludağ Textile Exporters’ Association (UTİB) and Uludağ Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters’ Association (UHKİB), the summit focused on key themes such as sustainability, digitalization, and the future of textile design.
Summit Location and Participants
Held at the BUÜ Prof. Dr. M. Mete Cengiz Culture Center, the event featured five sessions with in-depth discussions led by industry experts and academics. The summit was attended by BUÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Ferudun Yılmaz, Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Adem Akpınar, Textile Engineering Department Head Prof. Dr. Dilek Kut, UTİB President Pınar Taşdelen Engin, UHKİB President Nüvit Gündemir, and representatives from exporter associations and academia.
Opening Remarks
In his opening remarks, Rector Yılmaz underlined the historic significance of textiles, noting, “Textile, which drove the Industrial Revolution, is now undergoing a transformation centered on design. In times of global economic uncertainty, TEXSUM provides an essential platform for dialogue and progress.”
Industry and Academic Perspectives
Prof. Dr. Dilek Kut highlighted the dual academic and industrial focus of the summit, emphasizing that modern textile engineering must integrate concepts like the circular economy, environmental responsibility, and digital product traceability. “Our mission is to prepare engineers for a sector that is changing rapidly,” she said.
The Role of TEXSUM in Innovation
Prof. Dr. Adem Akpınar praised the growing impact of TEXSUM since its inception in 2020, saying, “These events play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and innovation, ensuring a stronger future for our textile sector.”
Summit Topics and Sessions
Throughout the summit, panels explored the current landscape of the textile industry, advancements in technology, eco-friendly practices, design-centric production models, and export opportunities.
Closing and Recognition
TEXSUM’5 concluded with a Q&A session and the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the speakers and contributors, marking the event as another milestone in bridging the gap between textile education and industry innovation.
