BHUBANESWAR: As the admission process for the 2026-27 academic year unfolds, the Odisha government has requested a report from the Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR) in Bhubaneswar regarding the termination of its BTech program in fashion technology. This request comes in response to concerns raised by alumni of the program.
The Skill Development and Technical Education (SDTE) department has contacted the registrar of OUTR following a letter from the Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts department. The university has been instructed to provide a comprehensive factual report on the situation for appropriate action.
This inquiry was initiated after alumni reached out to the secretaries of the Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts and SDTE departments, challenging the decision to shut down the program. They contended that the drop in admissions stemmed from administrative failures rather than a lack of relevance or job opportunities within the industry.
Moreover, the petition emphasized that fashion technology is a burgeoning field with promising career paths in textiles, apparel, technical textiles, retail, merchandising, and design.
“As Odisha experiences a surge in investments in textile and apparel sectors, discontinuing this program contradicts the state’s goals for industrial growth and skill development,” the alumni’s letter stated.
Additionally, the graduates claimed that admissions were primarily limited to students from the science background, thereby narrowing the applicant pool despite the course’s interdisciplinary nature. They also pointed out that the program’s quality and reputation were undermined by inadequate infrastructure, a lack of modern laboratories and equipment, and a shortage of regular faculty members.
In their appeal for an independent review, the alumni called on the government to investigate the factors contributing to the decline in admissions, evaluate the university administration’s role, and ascertain whether all possible efforts to revitalize the program had been made prior to the closure decision.
