Graduation Gown to Get 'Indian Touch': UPTU

Taking a lead in attemtping to give an Indian touch to the usual graduation gown, the Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU) has invited designers from across the globe to submit their ideas to create a new-age ceremonial robe.

An order issued by vice-chancellor Vinay Pathak said the creaters will have to design the gown keeping in mind the traditional Indian drape and fold, handloom fabric and also focus on UP's cultural heritage.

It also said the design must also bear a stamp of the technical university's activities, and also, if possible provide a connection to its new name APJ Abdul Kalam, reads the notice put on university website on Tuesday. The former president, who died in July, had given a call to change the academic gown.

Designers, who have been given a 15-day deadline to submit their creation, also stand a chance to walk away with an award, the order said.

The university, which has five fashion designing colleges affiliated to it, also wants its student to pitch in with ideas.

"We are encouraging our students to come up with a design. What better it would be that a design from one amongst them is chosen," said the vice-chancellor.

In a meeting with vice-chancellors some time back, governor Ram Naik too had asked them to introduce an uniformity in the dress code. He had recalled how he was unable to put the medal round the neck of a scholar because of the traditional cap worn by him.

In July, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had requested the vice-chancellors of various universities to promote the use of handloom fabrics instead of satin for convocation gowns.

Source: click4college