Our five-year course includes LeedAP and Advanced qualification for sustainable career, says Architect Saritha

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Associate Professor Architect Saritha at Crescent School of Architecture (B.S.Abdur Rahman University) talks in detail about extensive involvement of practical sessions and studio sessions in the curriculum. To ensure that students stay updated with the latest practices and happenings at the industry, the School regularly updates its curriculum with the help of Board of Studies members and industry professionals.

Read the excerpts of the interview below:

Q: What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

A: Being a faculty, we aim at the quality delivery of education. Knowing the fact that almost all institutes try to keep them updated as per the latest practices and trends in the industry, we can try to differentiate ourselves in terms of the teaching methodology. Some of our practices are below:

• We focus more on episodic and experiential learning practices than semantic or theoretical. It has a lasting impact on students’ mind
• We try to explain concepts in an application-oriented manner with extensive use of scientific and design tools
• We believe in learning while doing which means we can not restrict our classes to classrooms. Hence, we frequently organsie labs sessions, workshops, seminars, guest lectures, study tours and industry visits so students can learn and experience how corporates operate in real life
• We also emphasise on studio exercises in which the teachers take the lead to provide tasks and offer guidance to students for solutions finding
• There are group projects to enhance team management skills amongst students
• The results are based on drawings, models and reports and are evaluated through periodic assessments and an end semester examination or viva-voce.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be industry-ready?

A: The curriculum is one thing but the focus must also be laid to prepare students for industry. Every year there are thousands of achitects who graduate but how our students will make a difference to recruiters is important. So, 

• We have deployed skill development courses in our curriculum
• We spend considerable time grooming students such as their body language, corporate presentation skills, negotiation skills and language skills. This boosts confidence in them and helps them prepare well for interview sessions
• We invite practicing architects in our studio sessions who help students understand the current trends in this sector and also tells them what industry expects out of them 

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

A: Discipline is the first and foremost factor that ensures a students’ admission to Crescent Schol of Architecture. While going through the admission process we try to understand students’ psychology and evaluate them on the basis of their interest in the subject.

Performing well in the curriculum is no big task. Passionate students with creative thinking and innovative skills can easily sail through this journey. Such students always succeed in lilfe.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: Our curriculum is regularly reviewed by Board of Studies and on the basis of their suggestions and industry involvement, we try to incorporate all latest practices of the industry in our curriculum. The idea is to keep students abreast with latest happenings in the industry.

Alongside, we have the five-year course that incorporates LeedAP and Advanced qualification for sustainable career. LEED certification is an added value to the students of the Crescent School of Architecture.

Q: Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

A: We are receptive to innovation, technology, science and entrepreneurship  To justify the statement I would like to talk about a few of our initiatives such as:

• A dedicated lab for 3-D printing, laser cutting workshop, joint studio programmes with international and national colleges of architecture who introduce students to new developments in the field of architecture
• We conduct our international joint studio programmes in association with UTIM mara Malaysia, Herott Watt University-Dubai and Lasalle College of Design-Indonesia