The All-India Handloom Board was constituted in the year 1957 under the chairpersonship of Mrs. PupulJayakar, the then Honorary Advisor (Handlooms). All India Handloom Board, formulated a scheme for the technological upgradation of handlooms and to cater trained technical personnel to the Handloom Industry. Hence, it was decided to set up two Institutes of Handloom Technology, one for the South and the other one for the North. The committee, selected Salem for locating the Institute as it was the biggest Handloom hub in the South. The Textile Institute at Washermanpet, Chennai under the control of the Madras Govt was taken over with staff and equipment, shifted to Salem and established as an Indian Institute of Handloom Technology in the Year 1960. The Salem Institute was formally inaugurated on 11 October 1960 by Shri K Kamaraj the then honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
The year 1975 was a year of great significance for the Handloom Industry in general and to this Institute in particular. It was during this year (from 01 .07.1975) the Prime Minister’s 20 Point Economic programme was launched. One of the points in the programme emphasized the development of the handloom industry. Subsequently, several schemes for the development of handloom Industry were initiated. A separate O/o Development Commissioner for Handlooms was established with Headquarters at Udhog Bhavan, New Delhi.
The Indian Institute of Handloom Technology Salem is functioning under the administrative control of O/o the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The institute is located in a lush green campus of about 40 acres popularly known as Foulke’s compound. Foulke’s compound has a long history of 218 years from the days of the Commercial Residency of the British Imperialism to the present day.
The institute is offering Diploma in Handloom and Textile Technology since 1960. A new UG course BTech Handloom & Textile Technology has been started in this institution from the academic year 2015-16 onwards. The course is approved by AICTE, New Delhi and affiliated to Anna University, Chennai. The course BTech Handloom & Textile Technology is a unique one which is offered only by this institution in India.
The campus has separate hostels for both Boys & Girls with Mess. Guest rooms are available for temporary staying (charges applicable). Auditorium, Indoor & Outdoor games facilities are also available in the Campus. Regular Yoga classes are conducted for the students as a part of their curriculum. Students are encouraged to attend Internship Programme as part of their Curriculum. Industrial tours are planned regularly for the students to learn various Industrial Processes / Systems. Students are encouraged to attend Symposium, events and Tech fests in other institutes to explore their talents.
Students Recreation Club is functioning to facilitate various student activities. Students are encouraged to participate in fashion shows to show case their textile talents. Students are encouraged to participate in different competitions (Oral / Essay Writing/ Poster Presentation/ Mime/ Dramas) during their Annual Day / Sports Day / Cultural events.
To know more details, click official website: www.iihtsalem.edu.in
