International Exchange and Strategic Direction for the Future of IFKT
On 30 September 2026, the IFKT Board Meeting was held as part of the 52nd International Conference of IFKT. The meeting was hosted by the Faculty of Textile Technology at the University of Zagreb, bringing together representatives of the international national sections both in person and online for discussions and professional exchange.
The broad international participation once again highlighted the global network of IFKT. Representatives from 14 national sections attended the meeting, including Ukraine, Ireland, Slovenia, Serbia, the United States, Bangladesh, India, Croatia, Israel, Germany, Türkiye, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Canada.
The meeting focused on key issues concerning the future direction of the association. Particular attention was given to structural developments, the expansion of international activities, and preparations for the next IFKT conference. The aim is to further strengthen international cooperation and continuously develop IFKT as a platform for professional exchange and networking within the international textile community.
Important decisions were also made regarding the association’s leadership. Prof. Dr. Mathias Beer, General Secretary of IFKT, and Dr. Thomas Mutschler, President of IFKT, were re-elected to their respective positions for another term.
A special honour was bestowed upon Mrs. Christel Seidel of the German national section. In recognition of her many years of dedicated service to IFKT, she was appointed an Honorary Member of the association. Particular recognition was given to her longstanding contribution to the association’s editorial activities, through which she has made an important contribution to professional communication and the visibility of IFKT over many years.
The Board Meeting in Zagreb once again demonstrated the importance of international exchange within IFKT while providing important momentum for the association’s future development. The structural and strategic measures discussed and adopted are intended to further expand IFKT’s international activities and strengthen cooperation among its national sections on a sustainable basis.