RIYADH: The Saudi Fashion Commission organized a virtual meeting with experts in the sphere and members of academic institutions on Sunday to discuss the role of fashion in the educational sector and how it can be improved. The meeting began with an overview of the commission’s mission to develop in the Kingdom through cultural means and to empower and develop the fashion industry to ensure its sustainability and integration, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency. The commission’s strategy covers education, creativity, product development, manufacturing, supply chain, and retail. Initiatives it has undertaken — including programs like luxury fashion management, fashion shows, and technical fashion management — were highlighted, while this year’s schedule was presented, including pattern making and high-end tailoring schemes. Dr. Dalal Al-Shareef, from the Umm Al-Qura University faculty, expressed the need for comprehensive and ongoing research, along with support and development mechanisms, while emphasizing the importance of aligning educational institutions with cultural establishments. Dr. Wijdan Tawfiq, a professor in the clothes and textiles department at King Abdulaziz University, spoke of the significance of research grants that align with the commission’s objectives, and which can open new avenues for academics and postgraduate students. Tawfiq praised the recent increase in employment opportunities which has led to a 50 percent rise in the hiring of students. Dr. Mai Al-Rasheed, chair of the fashion and textiles department at Princess Nourah University, pointed out the need for specialized and focused programs in the field. She mentioned the existing gap between academic specialization and general education, adding that students often lacked foundational knowledge which made their fashion studies challenging since knowledge was the basis for progress. The meeting forms part of the commission’s series of sessions that aims to discuss needs and challenges of the industry, and collaborate with experts to find solutions and ideas that can contribute to the growth and fulfillment of the sector’s aspirations.