Pakistan and Malaysia are developing economies of the region. They are densely populated and have large workforce. Their industrial sector mostly relies on conventional manufacturing practices. It requires fundamental reforms and modern education system for stepping them up to switch them to advanced manufacturing technologies. Both countries need targeted trainings, clear directions, and exercises that require corporations. These objectives can be effectively implemented by introducing innovative teaching modules and courses, and by establishing Centres of Excellence for Digital Manufacturing in their Higher Education Institutions. In this project, the main aim is to introduce teaching modules and courses like Industry 4.0, ITP - Industry Training Project for PhD students, TTP - Transformative Technology Project for Bachelors and Masters Students, etc. This will allow students to work on field-based problems besides giving industry to have tech-friendly supervised young blood at low cost. There is a strong necessity to develop the capacity of professionals working in the industry with the old school of thoughts. Under the project, we will design and launch certificate courses focused on modern manufacturing practices and digital transformation. Partners in Pakistan and Malaysia are geographically located in strategic locations. Onboard HEIs are situated in the vicinity of business hubs in different regions. The proposed Centres will help the industry for their transition to switch to digital and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. We have proposed to get selective faculty and staff trained in Europe. NED University and Multimedia University are comparatively more developed institutions. These institutions will also contribute to the development of other HEIs. The teaching faculty would be developed for adopting advanced topics whereas the laboratory staff would gain hands-on skills in Europe and/or at partner HEIs.

The general objective of SMARTEX is to support the modernisation and internationalisation of Higher Education Institutes in Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan, in the context of the priorities identified in the New EU Consensus in Development and the EU Higher Education in the World. SMARTEX will also contribute to the cooperation between EU and Asian countries through joint initiatives and sharing of good practices. The aim of the project is to improve the level of competencies and skills in Asian HEIs by reforming bachelor degree programmes, which will bring national education systems up to the EU standards level and enhance competitiveness of graduates in the labour market. The specific objectives of the project are:1. To analyse the competences necessary for graduates of textile engineering and related faculties bachelor studies in Asian universities as far as technical and smart textiles are concerned.2. To update the curriculums of Asian Universities, by developing new or updating existing courses in textile engineering and related faculties bachelor studies. 3. To integrate innovative teaching/learning methods into the reformed curriculum of Asian Universities.4. To develop learning material for the new and updated courses and their correspondence to ECTS.5. To promote the internationalisation of Asian HEIs by implementing international exchanges of staff and students. 6. To build capacity of academic and administrative staff of Asian HEIs by training them in European HEIs7. To enhance the competitiveness of Asian HEI graduates in the labour market with the organisation of national and international internships in companies.