EDUCATION NEEDS TO KEEP PACE WITH LATEST TRENDS IN INDUSTRY

BY Realty Plus

In your institution, how are you focusing on bridging the gap between the theoretical and practical knowledge of students.

One of the most effective ways to enhance the learning experience of students is through integrated project-based learning. This approach mandates students to apply the concepts and theories learned in class to the design project. In this regard, our institution has implemented the practice of assigning one project to students per semester, which requires them to integrate various subjects that they are studying.

When students handle a project in a semester, they gain practical understanding by integrating all subjects. This experience can significantly enhance their problem-solving skills and increase their overall confidence in decision-making. Additionally, integrated project-based learning can foster a sense of responsibility and accountability among students as they work collaboratively to complete the project within a set timeline.

Apart from classroom learning, students are encouraged to engage in site visits, hands-on workshops, market surveys, product demonstrations, exhibitions, conferences, lab visits, expert seminars, and experimentation to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge. These experiences help students gain an understanding of how the concepts they learn in class can be applied to the real world and vice versa.

To further enrich the learning experience, the college organizes industry expert lectures to share their life experiences and interact with students. These sessions provide valuable insights into the industry and help students learn more practically and quickly. Such interactions help students gain a better understanding of industry trends, opportunities, and challenges, which can help them make informed decisions in the future.

The institute has also collaborated with top industry manufacturers to provide students with exceptional practical exposure and easy access to valuable resources. In conclusion, project-based learning has proven to be an effective approach to enhancing the learning experience of students. This approach, coupled with practical experiences and industry interactions, can equip students with the necessary skills to succeed in their careers and make significant contributions to society.

What are some of the initiatives taken by the college to create an environment of innovation among the students?

To ensure that students receive the best possible learning experience, the institution promotes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and collaboration. One such approach is to engage industry experts in periodic reviews of the curriculum, which helps keep the course content relevant and up to date. The input from industry experts provides valuable insights into the latest trends, practices, and technologies, helping students stay ahead of the learning curve and prepare for future careers.

Another effective strategy to promote hands-on learning is to take announced competitions as academic projects. These competitions provide students with real-world challenges that require them to apply the concepts and theories they have learned in class. Such projects foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration among students, preparing them for the practical challenges of the industry.

State-of-the-art learning infrastructure is provided to students. This includes digitally technology-enabled classrooms, workstations, advanced licensed software, and the latest woodworking and laser-cutting machines in workshops. Access to the best available books, journals, and online reference content is also promoted for self-learning and research.

Students are engaged in debates, discussions, and peer group learning during dedicated design and technology studio hours. Such activities help students learn from each other, share ideas and knowledge, and develop communication and interpersonal skills that are critical in the industry.

These strategies significantly enhance students' learning experience and innovation abilities in design and technology studios. Periodic talks with expert speakers, taking announced competitions as academic projects, availing state-of-the-art learning infrastructure, providing the best available reference materials, and encouraging peer group learning can prepare students for practical challenges in the industry and equip them with the necessary skills to succeed in their careers.

What according to you are the present challenges in the education in architecture?

The field of architecture is continuously evolving, and the education sector must keep up with these changes to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in their careers. Here are some of the present challenges in architectural education:

Technological advancements: With the rapid pace of technological advancements, the education sector must keep up with the latest materials, tools, techniques, software, and technologies. Students must be made aware of how to use these tools effectively to remain competitive in the industry. Critical thinking through short design sketches, debates, and discussions, as well as design-build and operation activities, allows for an innovative environment.

Sustainability: There is an increasing need for sustainable development, and students must be trained in designing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and sustainable architecture. This requires an understanding of the latest sustainable materials, technologies, and design strategies.

Globalization: Architecture is a global industry, and students must be trained to work in diverse cultural contexts. They must be taught to understand and respect different cultural values, customs, and traditions to prepare designs that are sensitive to the local context.

Financial Feasibility: Students need awareness of the prevailing financial systems and trends to develop appropriate value propositions for clients. The metrics of measuring value addition and assessing the affordability of the proposed solutions are often not known to the students. The capital cost and operational costs of the proposed designs are critical aspects for making the project financially viable, which students often overlook. The application of circular economy principles in architectural education is the need of the hour and needs strengthening in an application.

Overall, addressing these challenges in architectural education will help prepare students to tackle real-world issues and contribute meaningfully to the field of architecture.

According to you what more can be done to enhance the young generation's employability and entrepreneurship.

To enhance the young generation's skills for better employability and entrepreneurship, we need to focus on providing them with a value-based and holistic education that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. Here are some ways in which we can do this:

Emphasize on practical skills: Instead of just focusing on theoretical knowledge, educational institutions must provide opportunities for students to develop practical skills that are in demand in the industry. This includes Assertive communication, apprenticeships, and hands-on projects that give students real-world experience.

Foster creativity and innovation: The young generation must be encouraged to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to the challenges they face. Educational institutions can facilitate this by promoting activities such as design thinking workshops, hackathons, and ideation sessions.

Develop communication and interpersonal skills: The ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with others is critical in today's job market. Educational institutions must provide opportunities for students to develop these skills through group projects, debates, and public speaking.

Encourage entrepreneurship: educational institutions must encourage and support students who want to pursue entrepreneurship. This can be done by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding and resources.

Keep up with the latest trends: To prepare the young generation for the rapidly changing job market, educational institutions must keep up with the latest trends in the industry. This includes providing training in emerging technologies, digital skills, and soft skills that are in demand.

Tags : education industry Dr. Anand Achari Principal – VES College of Architecture architectural scenario students experience learning project design institution theories integrating site visits hands-on workshops market surveys product demonstrations exhibitions conferences lab visits expert seminars concepts