The National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research (NITER) and the Academy of Garments Technology Bangladesh (GarmentTechBD.org) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the prestigious Data Develop Prize (DDP) 2026, an international case competition set to take place in Hong Kong.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at the NITER campus and was attended by distinguished faculty members and representatives from both institutions. The partnership aims to form a highly skilled and competitive team to develop data-driven solutions addressing challenges in the apparel and textile supply chain sector.

Professor Dr. Ashequl Alam Rana, Director of NITER, expressed his optimism about the collaboration, highlighting that this initiative will provide students with hands-on opportunities to apply data science in real-world textile industry challenges, while also offering valuable global exposure.

Participating virtually via Zoom, Dr. Henry Soo, Strategic Partner of GarmentTechBD, emphasized the importance of preparing Bangladeshi youth to showcase their innovation and technical expertise on international platforms.

The event was further enriched by the in-person presence of Ms. Tamzeda Mostofa, Marketing Leader at GarmentTechBD, along with other dedicated team members.

Recognized as a global hub for innovative problem-solving, the Data Develop Prize (DDP) brings together top talent from across the world to tackle industry challenges using advanced data applications. This MoU marks a strategic milestone in empowering Bangladeshi institutions to lead the transformation toward smart textiles, digitalization, and innovation in apparel technology.