Excerpts from an interview:

How do you visualise the growth of the packaging sector in the coming years?

Thanks to its universal applicability, the packaging sector is set to witness phenomenal growth in the years to come. Every consumable article needs to be packaged today. With industrial units for manufacturing consumer and industrial products cropping up practically everyday, there is a great demand for packaging professionals. It is definitely going to be the ‘in’ field.

What is the idea behind the merging of the disciplines of packaging, printing and graphics?

The B.Tech programme in Printing, Graphics and Packaging is an engineering and technology course with a touch of creative art. Packaging has to be done in accordance with specific requirements of the product. Then, a specific technology has to be used for printing on the pack, depending upon the material. A sound knowledge of computer graphics is a value addition to the skills and expertise of packaging professionals.

What is the scope for packaging professionals in India?

Till now, the students desirous of pursuing a course in packaging had to go all the way to the USA or elsewhere for specialisation in the discipline. But with specialised courses being offered in the country itself, we will be able to produce indigenous experts and technologies in the field. It has great scope, as apart from catering to the local industry, these professionals may get an opportunity to do packaging for overseas units as well.

What kind of response have you got from the industry?

We have got overwhelming appreciation from the industry as well as professionals, who had long been feeling a need for a specialised course in the discipline. We plan to rope in big industrial houses and eminent packaging professionals to guide our students and provide valuable support.