National Textile University, Faisalabad (NTU), formerly known as National College of Textile Engineering (NCTE), celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 19th December 2009. The celebration marked its 50 years of excellence and service to the textile industry of Pakistan.

The Federal Minister for Textile Industry, Rana Mohammad Farooq Saeed Khan was the chief guest of the ceremony.

In his speech he announced the plans to establish a modern Textile R&D and Innovation Center at the university which would be instrumental for the up-gradation of textile sector on scientific lines. The Federal government will bear all the expenses of the center, besides new laboratories and other infrastructure. The minister appreciated the vital role of the Alumni of NTU for the development of Textile industry through their hard work which has changed the destiny of the textile sector of the country. He appreciated the contribution of the University rector, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed, the faculty members and the staff. He also announced one hundred scholarships for the talented students in addition to slashing down student fee by 50%. The minister also announced a special prize of rupees one hundred thousand to the organizers of the event for decorating the University on the Golden Jubilee Ceremony in a befitting manner.

The idea of establishing a textile institute was conceived by a group of visionary industrialists in the year 1959. To realize the idea, the Government of Pakistan joined hands with the leading industries of the country to set up an institute of textile technology at Lyallpur (now Faisalabad).

The government provided 63 acres of state owned land and requested the British government to provide machinery, equipment, faculty and staff under the Colombo Plan of Common Wealth Countries. The British government provided  comprehensive  technical assistance for the establishment of a world class institute which could cater the educational requirements of the country in the field of textiles.

Admission of students in textile programmes started in the year 1962. The institute got affiliation with the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore in 1965 and the first batch of textile graduates passed out in 1966.

In 1973 the institute was renamed as National College of Textile Technology and in the year 1979 the name was changed to National College of Textile Engineering. In 2002, the college was upgraded by the Federal Government to National Textile University.

Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed, Rector NTU, said that the university had so far produced 3000 textile engineers which are playing pivotal role for the development of textile industry in Pakistan.

 He said that Pakistan Engineering Council had accredited its textile programme and our textile engineers can now could register themselves with PEC. He also mentioned the registration on International Mobility Forum and said that under this programme, our graduates can work in any part of the world as engineers. The university has also started M.Sc. Textile Engineering programme from this year and the commencement of Ph.D. programme is also in the pipeline. He also explained in detail the new expansion programmes and said that a state-of-the-art IT Center has been established.

President, NTU Alumni Association, Mr. Malik Haq Nawaz emphasized on the importance of role of alumni and also shared his old memories with the audience. He gave the true picture of the early batches that had to work so hard in making their positions in textile industry of Pakistan.

Dr. Mumtaz Hasan Malik, Chairman Department of Yarn Manufacturing and Director External Programmes, informed the audience that it is high time for the Alumni to pay back to the institution that has given so much fame and respect to them in the society and textile industry of the country.

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Niaz, the first project director of the institute, Prof. Dr. F.A. Bhatti and Prof. Dr. Abdul Majeed, Ex-Principals of NCTE also shared their memories with the audience. Prof. Baland Iqbal, Mr. Ismaeel Khurrum and Mr. Inayat Ali Khan, all ex-graduates of the institution, also spoke on the occasion.

Different textile machinery and parts manufacturing companies Nazer and Company, Madhani Associates, Hyosung Corporation, itextiles, Sufi Sons, Associated Textile Consultants, Syntech fibers, Union Commercial Company, Shan Associates, Advance Logics System, AHS, SDC, Allied Engineering Services, Butt Technical Services, Chawla Chemicals & Dyes, Sandal Dyes and InterTex Corporation were also present and also displayed their catalogues, etc.

A large number of guests including former faculty and staff members, ex-graduates, academics from other universities, officers of Higher Education Commission, government organizations, Chambers of Commerce and Industries and trade associations took part in the event.