Kothari Industrial Corporation (KICL) has announced a strategic collaboration with Italy’s leading fashion and design institution, Accademia IUAD, to strengthen India’s design and creative talent ecosystem.

The partnership aims to establish a University for Design in India, with Tamil Nadu envisioned as the principal campus and potential expansion to other regions, including the Northeast, subject to regulatory approvals. The university will focus on footwear design, fashion management, leather goods and accessories, interior and furniture design, and other allied disciplines, all aligned with global industry requirements. Accademia IUAD will provide academic frameworks, contemporary curricula, and international best practices based on its practice-led design education model, while KICL will leverage its industrial infrastructure and execution capabilities to integrate academic learning with real-world industry exposure.

The collaboration includes co-designed curricula, hands-on projects, masterclasses, mentorship by international faculty, and structured pathways for global placements and professional mobility. . The project aims to boost high-value employment and strengthen India’s export competitiveness.