We practice case-based study methods that allows students to deeply analyse live situations, says CSA Professor

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Professor and Architecture Varshini Subramanian at Crescent School of Architecture (CSA) shares her views on the importance of industry-readiness skill among students and also shares the journey students take to inculcate it. Being a student-centric institute, CSA always aims at experimenting with new ways to make learning fun and more impactful through a curriculum designed to provide more practical exposure. Subramanian is a professional Architecture and has practised the same as a sole proprietor before stepping into academics as a profession.

Read the complete interview below:

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

A: These days a lot of institutes are focusing on the industry-embedded curriculum which is more or less the same for all but what differs at every institute is the delivery of the content. At Crescent School of Architecture, we mainly focus on:

• Live projects that enable hands-on learning experience for students. This is important as learning by doing leaves a long-lasting impact on students’ mind
• Apart from the mainstream methodologies, the institute also focuses on various other skills development programmes which include design, building & construction, analytical, customer handling and communication skills. These are important to help students stand out of the crowd of other Architecture students

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

A: Industry readiness is a skill that can be acquired over time. And, at CSA we leave no stone unturned that could help us in making students industry-ready. We are a student-centric institute and hence our all actions are focused on paving a quality career pathway for students. To help them become industry-ready:

• We encourage them to indulge themselves in as many live projects as possible 
• Our teaching methodology doesn’t end with just conceptualisation but is also taken forward with knowledge about the product availability and market constraints
• Design Decisions are to be made with considerations of all practical roadblocks unlike when students are usually allowed to consider hypothetical ideal situations

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

A: To qualify for the admissions at CSA, all aspirants must fulfil the eligibility criteria. Besides that, we evaluate students on the basis of their:

• Curiosity and a sense of awe for the creative scope of the job,
• Discipline to sustain in such a competitive field, and
• Ability to improve and grow from their mistakes.

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

A: Our curriculum is industry-embedded and is revisited regularly to see if any new industry trends or practices are emerging. Also, industrial visits are a crucial part of our curriculum for practical exposure.  We also focus on case-based study methods in the classroom learnings to put students in the shoes of decision-makers and make them deeply analyse the situations. This ensures that the students are well aware of the practical scenario for each course.

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

A: We want to stay at par with the latest industry standards and equally competitive to all other architecture institutes. Thus, being receptive to innovation, technology, science and entrepreneurship is crucial for us. To cite some examples:

• Our college encourages the use of 3D Printing which usually is taken forward only by a student’s individual interest in stepping forward with new technology in other institutions
• Students are equipped to become proficient in more than just the basic software skills needed for the industry
• Students are trained on various skills as part of co-curricular events (Design Festo) and thereby enhancing their creative skills and making them ready for entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurship is not just restricted to the students in our college, faculty are encouraged as well to follow unconventional paths