INRTU Will Produce Regional Souvenir Products in Cooperation with the Imperial Jewelry House
A delegation of INRTU headed by Rector Mikhail Korniakov visited the Imperial Jewelry House (St. Petersburg) in early November. During the visit a cooperation agreement was signed. The parties agreed to cooperate in the field of education and science, organization of student internships and employment of graduates. It is planned to jointly develop and produce souvenir jewelry products for the Irkutsk Region.
The university delegation that visited the production sites and specialized stores of the Imperial Jewelry House also included Elena Berman, Professor of the Department of Jewelry Design and Technology, Vera Sorokina, Associate Professor, and Alena Voitiuk, Senior Teacher.
The delegation visited various areas of the company and was convinced that the production is based on centuries-old traditions of the Russian jewelry school and innovative technological solutions, while the masters preserve the traditions of the Carl Faberge era. Many jewelers have been working at the company for decades, passing on their knowledge from generation to generation and preserving such rare jewelry techniques as filigree, hot and cold enamel painting, and invisible setting technology.
“One of Russia's leading jewelry enterprises has an excellent workflow – from the development of new experimental models to competent marketing and sales.
During the negotiations with the management of the Imperial Jewelry House we were discussing the most interesting ideas proposed by our talented students, which will be realized at the plant in St. Petersburg. The products can be sold both in jewelry stores and in hotels, tourist sites, and visit centers.
Moreover, together with the Imperial Jewelry House we plan to organize production of corporate gifts by regional companies’ commissions,” commented Elena Berman on the results of the trip.
Elena is sure that students will be very pleased to work on brooch designs based on the endemics of the Baikal natural territory, including such rare flowers as edelweiss, tridactylina, sagandilea or rosewood. She noted that jewelry made by the masters of the Imperial Jewelry House will be popular among tourists, whose number in the Irkutsk Region is increasing every year.
Associate Professor Vera Sorokina also mentions that it is important to consider the geographical advantage of the region in the development of the jewelry business:
"Everything that touches upon a unique identity is always in demand. And if we offer interesting new ideas, we will have no competitors".
Commenting on the excursion to the Imperial Jewelry House jewelry factory, Vera noted that it was important for the teachers to get acquainted with the equipment and technological processes that create high quality products.
Rector Mikhail Korniakov stated that the Imperial Jewelry House supported the idea of creating a jewelry cluster in the Irkutsk Region, and the company's employees will be experts in student startups. Cooperation was reached on the issue of organizing a design bureau and 3D-studio on the basis of INRTU. The program of interaction provides for joint development of education programs and master classes.
The Department of Jewelry Design and Technology has already started to form technical specifications for joint production of corporate gifts.
In the near future, INRTU will host an online seminar with the experts of the jewelry factory.
