The latest innovation within the University has been to create a Design Centre named the “Creative Destination”. The purpose of this Centre is to provide all aspects of Design, marketing and culture. Here, research and product development, quality enhancement, the use of latest technologies as well as continuing education such as workshops and seminars, will be conducted.
The Centre of Excellence will strive to perpetuate design into all commercial and manufacturing industries through providing experienced designers on a contract basis, to “pump-prime” design strategy and produce Innovative product development.
This will also be a venue where idea generation and exchanges between experienced designers can take place, where enhancement of design and quality of product suitable for world markets can be displayed and a data bank of resource information is collated making the “Creative Destination” a “one-stop-shop” for all aspects of design.
The Design Centre Gallery will offer the opportunity for students and artists to display and sell their work. This Display Area will be used to show the students’ collections and serve as a venue for Innovative product display and small Trade Fairs. As the country’s unique culture is part of our national identity it should be cherished and nourished as this has been sadly neglected in the past. The Creative Destination will play a pivotal role and by organising cultural events, locally and internationally, will try to reverse this trend, by nurturing forgotten talents from all places throughout the country. By utilising our abundant natural resources such as jute, bamboo, cane and leather and developing well designed quality products, this sector could supplement” garments” as a prime export. The indigenous local handicrafts can also be developed to become world-class and this can act like a catalytic agent for the rural poor to raise them above the poverty line, while remaining in their local environment. The key to this development is the creation of high quality products, designed for the world markets and marketed in an international way. The establishment of “Craft Village” in the rural areas, renowned for their specific products, is where workshops on design and quality will be conducted to the local artisan, and sample designed products will be reviewed and production will take place.
The “Creative Destination” in Dhaka will act as the focus of all development activities, creating new designs, entirely new products, innovative packaging and ecologically acceptable goods suitable for International Buyers. The Design Centre will also market the products to generate interest of local and international buyers, supervise production, monitor quality and organise distribution and shipping. This initiative will help the rural poor bring prosperity and employment to rural areas, utilize our natural resources and generally boost up the country’s economy. The Creative Destination will establish liaison between market and productive education. As the Creative Destination with the Design, quality, marketing and technological expertise is viewed as a Centre of Excellence where training facilities, design and product development, Computer Aided Module [CAM] and testing facilities are available to business enterprises and thus the Foundation will be fulfilling its prime objectives. The “Creative Destination” will pave the way towards increased national prosperity, to create rural employment and help the nation at large.