DOST-PTRI seeks textile science curriculum across 1,765 schools
Nearly 60 higher education institutions expected to join consortium as government pushes to strengthen local textile industry through research and education
DOST-PTRI is tapping 1,765 higher education institutions to develop textile science education, strengthen research and help rebuild the Philippine textile industry.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) is seeking to strengthen the country's textile industry by tapping 1,765 higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide to expand textile science education and develop a skilled workforce.
The initiative comes after a nationwide institutional audit found that while 1,765 colleges and universities offer programs covering various aspects of the textile supply chain, none has a curriculum dedicated exclusively to textile science.
The findings prompted DOST-PTRI to launch TELAkademi and the Philippine Textile Consortium during the first joint Global Textile Congress (GTC) and Philippine Textile Congress (PTC) 2026 at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
The institute said the initiative aims to bridge gaps in textile education, research and industry development as the global textile market, valued at US$1.2 trillion, continues to expand.
According to the DOST-PTRI audit, 71 institutions offer programs related to textile raw materials, while 646 cover product development, including apparel, medical textiles and electronic textiles. Another 1,048 support supply chain systems involving fiber cultivation, machinery and logistics.
However, textile-related competencies remain scattered across degree programs in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, fine arts and design, and industrial technology, leaving the country without a standardized academic framework dedicated to textile science.
"Textiles are part of our everyday lives, yet textile science is not always given enough attention in our classrooms. Through its partnership with the academe, DOST-PTRI hopes to help develop a standard textile curriculum that will introduce students to the science, technology, and possibilities behind Philippine textiles," said DOST-PTRI Officer-in-Charge Evangeline Flor P. Manalang.
To address the gap, the Philippine Textile Consortium was established to formalize partnerships between DOST-PTRI and higher education institutions, with nearly 60 schools expected to join.
The consortium will support the development of a standard curriculum, collaborative research, laboratory linkages, technical assistance, degree programs, short courses and hands-on training. It will also provide research opportunities for faculty members and students.
University of the Philippines Diliman Chancellor Atty. Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II emphasized the importance of bringing together education, research and industry to develop a competitive textile sector.
"When we gather in a university space to talk about textiles, we are not simply discussing fabric, garments, or traditional crafts. We are discussing the convergence of scientific inquiry, cultural heritage, technological innovation, and human capacity development. Building a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive textile industry requires us to bring together our strengths in education, research and development, and industry," Vistan said.
Meanwhile, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development Executive Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr. called for a unified effort to strengthen the domestic textile sector.
"Our competitive advantage is not only in the natural resources that we have, but also in our ingenuity and capacity to look beyond our adversities. If we come together, align our aspirations, and rally behind a common cause, we can give the Philippine textile industry a very different future," Leaño said.
Alongside the consortium, DOST-PTRI launched TELAkademi as a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. It will cover developments in materials science, textile engineering, production technologies and innovation.
The institute's academic development roadmap includes courses and university partnerships in textile materials, textile chemistry, dyes and colorants, nonwoven textiles, textile and fabric design, and textile analysis from 2025 to 2028.
DOST-PTRI also offers thesis co-advising, joint research assistance worth up to P200,000 for graduate students, laboratory services and a mobile textile laboratory to support academic research and technical training.
The initiative also seeks to encourage the use of locally available agricultural materials in developing sustainable, value-added textile products and promote awareness of the contributions of farmers, weavers and other industry practitioners.
The two-day GTC and PTC 2026 also featured a TELAkademi Fair, a stakeholders' networking night and the Philippine Textile Consortium General Assembly.
Through the initiatives, DOST-PTRI aims to strengthen links between the academe, research institutions and industry while developing the next generation of Filipino textile professionals.
For more information, interested parties may contact DOST-PTRI through ptri@ptri.dost.gov.ph or its official social media accounts.