Donning the cap of a paramount component in the country’s development, the architecture industry in India has recorded phenomenal growth over the last decade, attracting not just prospective home buyers and other clients but also students who aspire to lead a change in the cityscape through their creative and inventive vision. Although the rising demand for the profession has led to mushrooming growth of architecture colleges, only a select few are proactive in creating ideal architects and future leaders who can efficiently shoulder the multifaceted role of the profession while contributing immensely towards advancing the domain and improving the quality of life for the society. The third oldest institute of architecture in Pune, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be) University College Of Architecture, Pune a multi-award-winning institute, stands as the very definition for such avenues. Playing a catalytic role in bridging the perceptible gap between academia and industry, BVDUCoA, Pune has consistently leveraged an environment conducive to academic excellence, practical learning, holistic development, research, and employment, and entrepreneurship.

Incorporating Quality Pedagogy

BVDUCoA, Pune was established in 1994 as an extended arm of Bharati Vidyapeeth, a premier deemed-to-be-university. Founded by a legendary educationist and social reformist, Dr. Patangrao Kadam, the organization has carved a niche in providing world class quality higher education in diverse streams for students of all economic strata. Spanning across multiple cities in India, its institutions are renowned for their industry-relevant curriculum, expert teaching workforce, learner-centric infrastructure, and commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability. Boasting a balanced mix of the same qualities, the institute specializes in offering Diploma, UG, PG & PhD programs, governed by Bharati Vidyapeeth, and it also holds the distinction of launching a first-of-its-kind program in India by the name of Sustainable Architecture as a part of its Master’s degree.

Led by the principal, a commendable academician, and a globally known Universal Design Expert, Dr. Kavita Murugkar, BVDUCoA, Pune; also takes immense pride in its faculty, comprising well-versed professionals with advanced qualifications, including postgraduate degrees and pursuing or holding doctorate degrees. “Many faculty members also run their own practices and are frequently invited as keynote speakers and expert lecturers at various events and conferences,” shares Ar. Ronak Deshmukh, Assistant Professor. But what brings them together is their shared passion for knowledge dissemination and the emphasis on imparting experiential learning. Undergoing regular refining, the coursework is designed to provide 30 percent of theoretical and 70 percent of practical knowledge, complemented with outcome-based education, helping the students gain a complete hands-on understanding of their subjects.

Another strength of BVDUCoA, Pune lies in its choice-based credit system, which empowers the students to build parallel career paths besides architecture. The college offers a blend of traditional subjects, like architecture design, working drawings, and history of architecture, and modern electives like performing arts, community engagement, and personality development, available in the first year. As the academic year progresses, students get to study the most in-demand short-term courses, covering visual communication, architectural journalism, furniture design, art therapy, UI/UX design, and heritage. “Not everyone venturing out of architecture college will necessarily want to practice architecture. Also, there is a level of saturation in multiple markets and job opportunities that one can create. With our elective courses, the students can explore multiple parallel paths, find their niche, and eventually build a potential career in that specialization,” claims Ronak. The value-added courses like design thinking and software skill development further equip the learners to undergo a well-rounded development and even make them capable enough to collaborate with other architects and MNCs or start their own practices.

Facilitating Overall Development

The deep-rooted commitment of BVDUCoA, Pune to providing holistic education to its students is also reflected in its wide range of co-curricular and extra-curricular programs. One of its flagship programs, Learning Out of the Box (LOoTB), initiated by Dr. Kavita, exemplifies the same, through which a group of students, irrespective of their year of studies, can reap firsthand experience via field trips involving visits to temples, high-rise buildings, or a master architect’s workplace. Workshops, webinars, industry visits, conferences, and the college’s strong alumni association further boost the learning experience. The institute invites many of its alumni, guest speakers, and visiting faculty to guide the current students in studying as well as internships and placements. Internships start as early as the second semester, while the college’s own Institutional Consultancy Cell works on involving students in real projects. The students are trained in SketchUp, Archicad, Grasshopper, and other cutting-edge software, in turn preparing them for the industry and delivering value to their workplace. Not just the students, but the faculty are also encouraged to constantly upskill through multiple courses and programs, which, according to Ronak, add value and credibility to both the college and the university.

BVDUCoA, Pune recognizes the significance of collaboration in enhancing the overall teaching-learning process. Its strategic tie-ups with international universities in countries, including Canada, Thailand, and Australia, have facilitated several student and faculty exchange programs and study tours. The college has MoUs with ASSOCHAM, ICOMOS, GRIHA & several other eminent international & national organizations; apart from possessing three specialized centers, Center for Energy Conservation Studies (CECS), Center for Indian Traditional Knowledge & Cultural Studies (CITKCS), and Center for Inclusive Design & Research (CIDR).

Walking in the lines of its parent organization, to provide equitable access to education for rural, tribal, and disadvantaged students, BVDUCoA, Pune ensures the learners to become unburdened from financial barriers by supporting them in securing external scholarships, educational loans, and limitless opportunities for learning. Recently, the college received approval for diploma courses in architecture, thereby increasing learning potential for students post-class 10. The institution is also planning to introduce bachelor’s and master’s courses in design with dedicated faculty and a master’s program on sustainability and energy management, thereby upholding its overarching mission of building socially responsible, environmentally sensitive, and economically conscious architectural professionals.