Hannah Horwitz Attends ITMA Asia Using Her Scholarship’s Enrichment Funds

This fall, Hannah Horwitz took her education global. 

After more than 20 hours in the air, she left Raleigh in the rearview and landed at Singapore’s infamous Changi Airport. First, the Wilson College of Textiles senior soaked in notable landmarks she had only seen on a screen, like Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion Statue and Gardens by the Bay.

Then, it was time for the real adventure to begin. She made her way to Asia’s premier showcase for textile and garment manufacturing technology: the International Textile Machinery Association (ITMA) Asia and the China International Textile Machinery Exhibition (CITME) — commonly called ITMA Asia + CITME.

As a proud recipient of the Jacques Weber Centennial Scholarship, Horwitz used her $7,500 in enrichment funds to make this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible. 

“My scholarship’s enrichment funds were instrumental in making this opportunity possible,” says Horwitz, who is majoring in textile technology and dually minoring in sustainable materials and technology, and nonwovens. “Without my enrichment funds, I would not have considered going to the convention. I’m thankful to the donors who made this experience a reality!”

“My scholarship’s enrichment funds were instrumental in making this opportunity possible. I’m thankful to the donors who made this experience a reality!”

The Centennial Scholarship Program was established in 1999 to celebrate the college’s 100th anniversary. Today, it provides merit-based scholarships to exceptional incoming students. Generous donations from the college’s vast network of supporters through the North Carolina Textile Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the college, make this vital scholarship program possible. Enrichment funds help Centennial Scholars pursue high-impact opportunities such as study abroad, internships, conferences, leadership programs and hands-on career exploration, just as Horwitz did.

Attending ITMA Asia + CITME served as a natural extension of her education, and the global tradeshow offered Horwitz an unparalleled look at the innovations shaping the future of textiles. The four-day exhibition, held Oct. 28–31, 2025, at the Singapore Expo Center, drew more than 26,600 visitors from 109 countries and featured over 840 exhibitors spanning the entire textile and garment value chain.

“As a student at the Wilson College of Textiles, I often learn about how manufacturing occurs overseas, but I wasn’t aware just how advanced textile technology is in Asia,” Horwitz explains. “It was impressive seeing the speed, efficiency and diverse capabilities many of these machines had.”

It was the perfect backdrop for Horwitz to expand her global perspective of the textiles industry. In the Q&A below, she speaks more about her time in Singapore.

What inspired you to attend ITMA Asia + CITME?

Seeing my peers from the Wilson College of Textiles attend ITMA in Milan, Italy, back in 2023, inspired me to attend ITMA Asia + CITME. Their experience looked both fun and informative, and it sparked my interest in attending a similar machinery tradeshow myself. 

However, since ITMA is held every four years, I didn’t have much hope of making it to the next one. As I continued my studies at the Wilson College of Textiles, my passion and curiosity surrounding textile machinery only grew. When I learned about ITMA Asia + CITME, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me!

How did attending ITMA Asia + CITME support your professional goals?

The Wilson College of Textiles has amazing facilities that demonstrate the traditional textile manufacturing process, and I have learned so much about these technologies. At ITMA Asia + CITME, I expanded my knowledge of specialty processes and machinery that we don’t have at the college. Additionally, some of the exhibits cover product sectors that I haven’t had classes in, such as embroidery, software and automation. 

This convention will benefit my long-term professional goals because it has allowed me to visualize and understand the vastness of the textile industry. It will be extremely beneficial as I graduate in the spring, because I will be able to communicate with employers about machinery and processes. And, I have strengthened my knowledge of upcoming textile companies and manufacturers that are crucial to the industry. Additionally, it was a great opportunity for me to connect and network with people from all over the world!

What were some of your major takeaways from the tradeshow?

I have three major takeaways from the tradeshow:

• textiles are global
• the growth of AI within manufacturing is incredible, and 
• sustainability is key

The growth of artificial intelligence in textile manufacturing was a common theme that I saw across the convention. It’s mainly being used to increase production and efficiency, which are always striven for in manufacturing. Lastly, the emphasis on sustainability during the tradeshow was truly inspiring. I saw many innovations and technologies regarding textile recycling, wastewater systems for dye houses and sustainability for mills. Seeing the emphasis on sustainability throughout the conference made me hopeful for the future of the textile industry.

During your time in Asia, did you visit any notable landmarks? If so, where did you go?

While I was in Singapore, I visited many notable landmarks, including the Merlion Statue, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and Lau Pa Sat, which is the most iconic and historic hawker center. While at the Changi Airport, I also saw the Jewel Rain Vortex.

How did your Centennial Scholarship’s enrichment funds make this opportunity possible?

My Centennial Scholarship’s enrichment funds were instrumental in making this opportunity possible for me. Without these funds, I would not have considered attending the convention, since it normally takes place in Europe or Asia.

With my enrichment funds, I was able to cover all of the major expenses, which significantly reduced any stress I had about the costs associated with the trip.

How else have you used your enrichment funds during your time at the Wilson College of Textiles?

During my time at the Wilson College of Textiles, I used my enrichment funds to study abroad in Lyon, France, during the summer of 2024. I studied applied polymer chemistry and French at the Institute of Textiles and Chemistry (ITECH). This was such an enriching experience as I was able to expand my knowledge of chemistry and the French culture!

If you could say anything to the donors who made your scholarship possible, what would you tell them?

To all the donors who have graciously donated and provided for students like me, thank you so much! Your generosity and contributions have made a deep impact on my past four years in college. You have also empowered me to grow into a well-rounded student and person. 

Your support will surely have a lasting impact on my future career in the industry! Thank you!