With the continuing worldwide growth of the apparel industry, the university's department of fashion and apparel studies has been given the chance to take part in the globalization. The department's participation is being made possible with a $165,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant money was used to create a comprehensive project for the department, the Fashion International and Business Education Response.
Hye-Shin Kim, associate professor of fashion and project director, said the new program is important because of the booms in the apparel industry happening all over the world.
Kim said U.S. companies are working closely with foreign companies as well as searching for more foreign consumer markets.
"To prepare students as future professionals in the global fashion marketplace, internationalization in various aspects of academic learning has become a necessity," she said.
The FIBER project is a two-part process, Kim said. In partnership with business, trade and educational organizations, the objectives of FIBER are to develop faculty expertise and skills in international business related to the apparel manufacturing and retailing industries. It aims to enhance the undergraduate curriculum and prepare students for international business. Lastly, the project will increase the international business knowledge of small and medium-sized businesses and other business professionals, she said.
In addition to the project, the department will also produce a biannual professional education journal designed to provide knowledge of international business practices in apparel manufacturing and retailing, Kim said. The journals will be widely distributed with the assistance of business and non-business partners.
"A wide array of industry-specific articles will be posted online from contributors that include well-recognized industry professionals, faculty and staff writers," Kim said. "The FIBER Journal will include research shorts from faculty about international market research, field experiences from professionals in the industry, training opportunities for apparel professionals, market highlights on a specific country and product category, issues related to global social responsibility and sustainability and others."
A short course, titled "The Globalization of the Apparel Manufacturing and Retailing Industry - Leveraging International Business Partnerships for Success," is being developed, Kim said. These classes will be offered at regional market centers in Wilmington, Philadelphia and New York. The course will be created in partnership with the World Trade Center Delaware, Delaware Small Business Development Center and other trade organizations, she said.
Small and medium-enterprise apparel firms and industry professionals are the target audience for the seminars, Kim said.
"The three-hour, short course will include essential information related to global business such as the ABCs of importing and exporting along with an overview of the apparel manufacturing and market opportunities in specific countries," she said. "These courses will be presented in high-participation event venues such as business and retail conferences and trade shows."
Kim said she thinks students will be better prepared to work and compete in the global market because of the new program.
"They will be able to apply their knowledge to [a] wide variety of competency areas necessary to function in the global industry," she said.
Kim said topics covered by the course include global product development, global sourcing and manufacturing, global consumers, global retailing, social responsibility and sustainability in the global business and cross-cultural business communication. The program will also allow students more opportunities to study abroad and for service learning.
FIBER will make the department a leader in international education for fashion programs nationwide, she said. The department will be studying the fashion and business practices of China (including Hong Kong), Thailand, India, Guatemala and Italy.
"Through research, faculty are able to develop a better understanding of how the fashion industry works in different countries and bring their experiences into their teaching, research and service," Kim said.
Department chairwoman Marsha Dickson said she thinks the project will give faculty a chance to expand the international aspect of the department.
"The FIBER project provides faculty in Fashion & Apparel Studies an opportunity to significantly expand the international content in courses taken by apparel design and fashion merchandising students," Dickson said. "This is extremely valuable since the apparel industry is one of the most global industries, with production and emerging markets scattered in many countries around the world. Students need to be prepared to lead their companies to success by engaging with this global market."
Jennifer Gregan-Paxton, program coordinator and academic adviser in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, said FIBER is one of a kind in reaching its effectiveness and goals.
"This project is unique in that it is quite far-reaching in its efforts and effects," Paxton said. "It brings together diverse parties - businesses small and large, universities here and abroad, students, faculty and government agencies - and encourages them to share information and learn from each other in productive ways."
She said the program will benefit both U.S. and foreign industries, as well as students at the university.
"By establishing links between previously separate parties, the project promises to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. industry, the marketability of our students and the relevance of the university and other public agencies," Paxton said. "It's a perfect example of a win-win situation, in that all parties stand to benefit."
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