Turkey : IMA aims to strengthen fashion education system

The Fashion and Textile Cluster (FTC) is financed by the European Union and represented in this instance by Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters’ Union (ITKIB). The beneficiary is the Turkish Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and apparel sectors.
The overall objective for the Fashion and Textile Cluster is to increase the international competitiveness of SMEs in the textile and apparel sectors in Turkey and accelerate the level of networking among SMEs at local, national and global levels as well as with business support organizations and related structures.
To strengthen public and private support structures for SMEs and to improve the capacity of Turkish textile and apparel sectors, a Cluster Coordination Agency named ITKIB DESTEK has been founded and by ITKIB DESTEK, as Fashion and Textile Cluster components, the following supporting institutions have been established:
1. Istanbul Textile and Apparel Consultancy Centre (IDM)
2. Istanbul Textile and Apparel Research and Development Centre (ITA)
3. Istanbul Moda Academy (IMA)
Being three main components of the Fashion and Textile Cluster; Istanbul Moda Academy (IMA), Istanbul Textile and Apparel Research and Development Centre (ITA) and Istanbul Textile and Apparel Consultancy Centre (IDM) will work in collaboration with each other.
IMA aims to strengthen the fashion education system and be a focus for design, creativity and industry networks. Whereas ITA will offer common use equipment, up-to-date technologies and skilled staff in order to support technological competitiveness.
IDM aims to provide consulting service to improve functions of marketing, quality management, product development and exporting. Istanbul Textile and Apparel Consultancy Centre (IDM). The Turkish textile and apparel sector has strengths in commercial practice and manufacturing techniques.
On the other hand the researches demonstrate a need in improving functions of marketing, quality management, product development and exporting. To improve their competitiveness, Istanbul Textile and Apparel Consultancy Centre (IDM) will provide consulting services to the SMEs on these issues.