The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and The Asian University for Women (AUW) together announced the launch of HSBC-AUW School of Apparel and Retail Management, a one-year Master of Science in Apparel and Retail Management programme.
Funded by HSBC’s philanthropic support, the programme will be guided by a global Academic Committee chaired by Dr Dipak C Jain, former dean of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (who also served as Dean of INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France). The master’s programme will prepare young female professionals with expertise in fashion, merchandising, supply chain management, brand management, and occupational health and safety issues. It is intended to help the burgeoning apparel industry induct more female talent in management roles, according to a statement.
The programme launched at a prestigious event titled, ‘HSBC-AUW School of Apparel: Leading the Future of Fashion’ at the Radission Blu Chattogram Bay View Hotel was attended by top dignitaries from the government, regulators, business and international leaders including:
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Head of Commercial Banking, South & Southeast Asia of HSBC Amanda Murphy, Founder of AUW Kamal Ahmad, President of BGMEA Faruque Hassan, former prime minister of Denmark Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Senior Official of US Department of States Katrina Fotovat, Daily star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Vice Chancellor of AUW Dr Rubana Huq and CEO of HSBC Bangladesh Md Mahbub ur Rahman were also present on the occasion.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni graced the event sending her thoughtful remarks through a video message.
AUW’s Vice Chancellor Rubana Huq expressed her hope saying, “Today, the Apparel industry in Bangladesh needs a homegrown talent pool, which will service the needs of the sector. Therefore, in order to prepare cohorts ready to take on the challenge of employability in Bangladesh, AUW is happy to launch the School of Apparel and with HSBC Bangladesh.
Amanda Murphy, head of Commercial Banking, South & Southeast Asia, HSBC, said, “The global apparel industry is evolving rapidly alongside emerging technologies, changing consumption patterns and an increasing focus on sustainability. We are proud to partner with the Asian University for Women to launch the HSBC-AUW School of Apparel and the Masters programme, equipping future talent with the expertise to drive continued innovation in Bangladesh’s largest export industry. Importantly, this programme supports the professional and leadership development of women, providing better access to opportunities through inclusion and fostering the long-term growth for Bangladesh and its communities.”
The programme aims to create a pool of trained women management graduates to lead businesses in the apparel sector. Ensuring international standard education, this programme will also build local management talent and enable enduring skill formation within the country while contributing towards the social goal of women empowerment. Academic excellence, industry relevance and social significance would be the defining features of the programme. The graduates would be technologically savvy, have superior communication skills and gain up-to-date, contemporary knowledge and skills needed for apparel and retail management.
Under the programme, 13 courses will be offered to students of AUW and 50 students will be enrolled in the inaugural year. HSBC will help set up the school including design Mac labs, provide support for curriculum and faculty, IT and class infrastructure and education materials.