Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association partners AOD to develop design talent for industry

Launching the Jewellery Design Program at AOD

The Sri Lankan Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA) is the apex private sector organisation in the industry which represents the interest of all industry sub sectors from mining to manufacturing, wholesale and retail. SLGJA was established in October 2002 with the amalgamation of four of the industry’s top trade associations namely Sri Lanka Gem Trade Association, Sri Lanka Jewellery Manufacturing Exporters Association, Sri Lanka Apiarists and Exporters Association and Sri Lanka Jewellers and Gem Merchants Federation.

In 2003, the Government of Sri Lanka declared SLGJA as the apex industry body and charged it with the leadership role to formulate industry – level strategies to increase productivity and competitiveness. Since then, the association works closely with the government’s National Gem & Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board to advocate national policy and give input for the industry’s regulatory framework. Currently SLGJA has over 350 members who together account for over 75% of the country’s Gem and Jewellery Exports in the country.

As part of the leadership strategy of increasing competitiveness of Gem and Jewellery from Sri Lanka, the Jewellery Industry has been on a pursuit to create the design talent which will take the industry forward. As a first step of the collaboration a one year Diploma Program will be launched with AOD which will offer the students a differentiated program to cater to the emerging consumers with contemporary designs in Gem and Jewellery scope in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the announcement of this initiative Sellakumar Kandasmy a Senior Industry Leader from Lalitha Jewellers stated, “The Gem and Jewellery Industry has evolved with time in terms of manufacturing, sourcing of stones and design. Even though the current pool of designers are technically skilled they tend to lack conceptualisation skills. What we see from this program is an add-on of a different caliber of designers who understand the new to conceptualise contemporary designs for the Jewellery Industry.”

SLGJA Chairman A.H.M. Imtizam also endorsed the initiative and stated, “We are extremely happy that as the leading private design educator in Sri Lanka, AOD came forward with SLGJA to introduce this program. We feel that this program will be a win – win for both the students and the industry to compete with more advanced jewellery markets such as Thailand, Hong Kong and China.”

AOD Jewellery Design Program is a fully fledge design qualification which will commence from January 2018 and will have limited seats available. Five selected students will also be granted a scholarship through SLGJA to pursue their studies in Jewellery Design at AOD.

The development of design in this industry will help develop direct to consumer market for the industry and attract more international buyers to Sri Lanka for a higher value added product.

Speaking at the launch AOD Founder and Managing Director Linda Speldewinde stated that, “With the Gem and Jewellery Industry being one of the key strengths in Sri Lanka, alongside the Fashion and Apparel Industry, and still having some of the best stones and craftsmanship, it’s of paramount importance that the Gem and Jewellery Industry embrace Design and Innovation to offer consumers with a higher value added product to cater to a growing demand in contemporary designs.”

The program itself aims to fulfil the need for trained jewellery designers to revitalise the Sri Lankan Jewellery Industry through design thinking. This one year part-time programme aims to educate students on the academic and practical knowledge on the principles of Jewellery Design and Manufacturing.

Further to this the program will immerse the student in the world of design and the jewellery industry, interacting with our international faculty. AOD’s partnership with the Jewellery industry will also give students the chance to observe and work in professional jewellery manufacturing settings while learning and observing from experienced jewellers and technicians.

Through the program, AOD will create an industry ready design base that has the ability to push the boundaries and discover new possibilities to drive demand for innovative, exciting and unexpected design in gem and jewellery industry.

AOD’s current way of educating, which allows students access real live projects in partnership with local businesses, industries has been praised by many for the way in which it instils social responsibility, professionalism, and out-of-the-box thinking in young minds. This wholesome approach to education combined with AOD’s collaborations with many influential industries makes design education at AOD recognised worldwide, making AOD the most trusted choice for private design education in Sri Lanka.

For more information on collaborating with AOD, or studying at AOD, reach 011 5867772, 077 5980141 or visit AOD at No. 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 04 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.