CONFERENCE FOCUS AREAS

Authors are welcome to submit their abstracts and full papers under the Nine (9) different focus areas for the ITFP-GH International Conference 2026.

HOW TO SUBMIT

All authors are required to have a CMT account before submitting their abstracts and full papers. 

Click HERE to follow the link on how to create an account. 

Click HERE to follow the link on how to submit your abstracts and full papers.

CONFERENCE FEES

ITFP-GH Members in Good Standing - GH₵ 700

Non-Members (also includes all African presenters) - GH₵ 1000

Students (Undergraduate students) - GH₵ 300

International Participants - USD $100 (not publishing in the Special Issue)

International Participants - Free (foreign authors presenting online and publishing in the Special Issue)* 

*Note: Full text papers must be selected by the scientific committee, hence authors are advised to submit abstracts and papers on-time. 

WHY ATTEND?

·       Network with Experts: Connect with leading professionals and researchers in the fashion and textile industry.

·       Showcase Your Research: Present your work to an international audience and receive valuable feedback.

·       Stay Informed:  Learn about the latest trends, technologies, and practices in fashion and textiles.

Join us in shaping the future of fashion and textiles!

Summary

The textile and garment sector holds immense potential for Africa’s industrialisation, offering job creation, value addition, export diversification, and inclusive growth; particularly for women and youth. Yet, inconsistent quality, fragmented regulations, and limited market access continue to hinder progress. Standardisation is a powerful strategic tool that addresses these challenges. Standards ensure product quality, consumer safety, and a common language for trade, covering fibre composition, colour fastness, chemical safety, labelling, and more. Without them, competitiveness and market access suffer. At the continental level, the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), through its Technical Committee on Textiles, is harmonising African Standards. This reduces technical barriers and supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Nationally, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) plays a central role by developing standards, testing, inspection, and certification, while aligning Ghana’s framework with regional and international (ISO) requirements. When effectively implemented, standards lower costs, build buyer confidence, upgrade value chains, and drive sustainable industrial development. Strengthening harmonisation, investing in testing infrastructure, engaging the private sector, and integrating standards into national policies are essential for unlocking the sector’s full potential.

Short CV

Prof. Charles Frimpong is a full Professor of Textiles at the Industrial Art Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. His area of specialisation has been Fabric Construction, Dyes and Dyeing Technology and Textile Testing. His interest in local textile traditions led to his instrumental involvement in introducing “Kente” weaving on table looms in the second year of the Textiles programme. He has also led groups of MFA in Textile Design students and cohorts of international students and professors on study tours to the three textile-producing regions of Ghana, exploring these three traditions. In 2005, he partnered with a Kenyan consultant to undertake consultancy work for UNESCO on the conservation of traditional textiles. He has since published several articles in scholarly journals on the topic of African textiles and fashion. In 2014, he was awarded the ITAA Janet Else Visiting Scholar Award in Charlotte, North Carolina, for his dedication and excellence in teaching and training students in the field of Textiles and Fashion.

Summary

As of 2026, the recycling of textile and apparel waste has evolved from a niche sustainability effort into a multi-billion-dollar industrial priority. Driven by the global "fast fashion" crisis, where 120 million metric tons of clothing are discarded annually, the industry is shifting from simple "downcycling" (turning clothes into rags) to sophisticated "Fiber-to-Fiber" circularity.

Short CV

Dr. Sakthivel Santhanam is a Professor of Fashion Design and Technology at the Nitte School of Fashion Technology and Interior Design, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India. With an extensive academic career spanning over two decades (2003–2026), he has established a reputation as a leading researcher and educator through significant tenures at prominent institutions across India and Ethiopia, including a previous professorship at Presidency University, Bengaluru. Dr Sakthivel earned his PhD from Anna University in 2014, where he also completed his foundational undergraduate and postgraduate studies. His research portfolio is deeply rooted in circular-economy principles, with a specific focus on sustainable product development, garment engineering, and material innovation. His work is characterised by the conversion of textile and apparel waste into high-value functional materials, bridging the gap between theoretical Fiber science and scalable industrial applications to minimise environmental impact. 

Beyond the classroom and laboratory, Dr Sakthivel has been a pivotal figure in academic governance and professional service. His leadership is evidenced by his contributions to the NBA Executive Committee and the Steering Committee for AICTE/Anna University Inspections (2015–2022), as well as his influential role on the Textile and Garment Technology Technical Education Board. A prolific contributor to the global academic community, he has served on approximately 25 international conference committees, often in the capacity of Program Chair or Organiser. As a seasoned instructor, he specialises in Total Quality Management (TQM) and functional garment development at the postgraduate level. His career highlights include leading several government-funded research projects and receiving the Best Researcher Award for the 2021–2022 academic year, a testament to his enduring dedication to scholarly excellence and sustainable technological advancement.

Summary

Despite rapid advances in materials and manufacturing, bringing e-textiles from concept to durable, market-ready product remains one of the field's defining challenges. This presentation offers a broad overview of where e-textile development stands today: what we can make, how we test it, and how well it holds up in real-world use.

Short CV

Paula Veske-Lepp is a visiting professor at TTK University of Applied Sciences (Tallinn, Estonia), specialising in smart textiles, e-textiles, and protective clothing. Her work bridges textiles research and wearable technology, with a particular focus on textile-based sensor systems, narrow fabric e-textile architectures for different applications, i.e. healthcare and PPE, and sustainable end-of-life design for smart garments. A central part in her practice is the conviction that meaningful wearable technology emerges at the intersection of design and engineering. This is reflected in collaborative, cross-disciplinary work such as the Remote Grandparents project, exemplifying an approach to designing not just functional artefacts, but relational experiences that place people at the centre.

Paula leads and contributes to international research projects, including active involvement in Horizon Europe initiatives and collaborative partnerships different European institutions. She has published peer-reviewed research across multiple aspects of functional textile development (ORCID: 0000-0002-3793-9877) and is engaged in international conference committees, such as ECPC and E-Textiles. Her research combines technical rigour with an applied, human-centred perspective — addressing real-world challenges in occupational safety, wearable electronics integration, and circular economy frameworks for advanced textiles.

Summary

This presentation critically examines the evolving role of 3D fashion design and virtual prototyping as transformative enablers of sustainable and culturally responsive fashion systems. It highlights how advanced digital tools allow designers to significantly reduce material waste, streamline product development cycles, and explore complex design solutions without reliance on physical sampling. Moving beyond technical efficiency, the presentation situates 3D technologies as platforms for integrating indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable material innovations into contemporary design practices. By positioning digital prototyping within both environmental and cultural sustainability frameworks, this presentation offers insights for designers and educators on leveraging 3D technologies not only for precision and creativity but also for fostering responsible innovation, cultural continuity, and future-oriented sustainable fashion practices. 

Short CV

Dr. Marzie Hatef is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Her academic practice centers on sustainable fashion design, textile innovation, and digital fashion technologies. She integrates 3D fashion design and virtual prototyping with eco-conscious materials to advance sustainable approaches in fashion education and creative practice. Her research focuses on the adaptation of cultural heritage and sustainable design principles within contemporary textile and fashion applications, fostering cultural continuity through modern design methodologies. She has led several creative projects on eco-fashion innovation, traditional weaving revitalization, bio-textile development, and sustainable product design. 

Summary

Our innovative 3D-printed material exhibits fabric-like flexibility, combining lightweight structure with exceptional breathability. Fabricated via Low Force Stereolithography using flexible photosensitive resin, it features systematically arranged cubic diamond lattice units (2 - 2.5 mm) with fine truss rods (0.2 - 0.3 mm). This structure enhances durability, elasticity, and ventilation while maintaining softness and skin-friendliness. The material adapts to diverse body shapes and movements, offering superior comfort and performance compared to traditional woven textiles. 

Short CV

Jing Liu, PhD, is a researcher and designer at the forefront of digital fashion innovation. Having earned her doctorate from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, her work explores the synergy between 3D printing technology and textile design. By integrating cultural heritage with digital fabrication, she bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and future-ready technology. Her designs are held in the permanent collection of the China National Silk Museum and have earned over ten international awards. Through her commitment to zero-waste 3D printing, Jing proves that heritage and progress are essential partners in building a responsible, sustainable, and aesthetically profound fashion landscape. 

Summary

The importance of agricultural renewable resources lies in their ability to replace conventional plastics, which inflict severe environmental damage on ecosystems. Researchers are actively extracting cellulose and nanocellulose from these resources and engineering them into versatile forms, including films, aerogels, meshes, and coatings, for a wide range of sustainable applications, such as air filtration and food packaging. This shift from fossil‑based to bio‑based materials offers a realistic pathway to reduce plastic pollution and build a sustainable materials economy.

Short CV

Dr. Amjad Farooq is currently a faculty member at the School of Textile and Clothing, Nantong University, China. He received his Master of Science (2017) and PhD (2022) from the College of Textile Engineering at Donghua University, China, where his outstanding performance was recognised with the International Student Award and later the Excellent PhD. Graduate Award of the Year. His doctoral and master's research focused on the use of green chemicals for extracting and applying nanocellulose derived from agricultural waste, a direction that continues to define his scholarly career.

Dr. Farooq has served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Anhui Polytechnic University, contributing to international research collaborations and projects involving renewable resources and nanocellulosic materials. He has published peer‑reviewed research across multiple aspects of textile fibers, nanomaterials, and sustainable material applications. He is actively engaged in the scientific community, including serving on conference committees and participating in editorial activities. He has also authored a book with Springer titled Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Textile Industry. His research combines technical rigour with a solutions‑oriented perspective, addressing real‑world challenges in plastic pollution, sustainable packaging, air filtration, and the circular economy for bio‑based materials. Through his academic background, industry experience, and commitment to green chemistry, Dr. Farooq continues to advance the field of nanocellulose‑based functional materials for a more sustainable future.

CONFERENCE ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Prof. Richard Acquaye – Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi – Ghana

Prof. Ebenezer Kofi Howard – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi – Ghana

Prof Sophia Panarkie Pardie – Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast – Ghana

Dr. Ninette A. Appiah – Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi – Ghana

Dr. Benjamin Tawiah – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi – Ghana

Dr. Solomon Marfo Ayesu – Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi – Ghana

Dr. Moses Akrofi – Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi – Ghana

Dr. Isaac Abraham – Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi – Ghana

Dr. Raphael Kanyire Seidu – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR

Mr. George Kwame Fobiri – Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi - Ghana