Architecture students need to carefully choose their colleges. Dr. Sudhakar K, faculty of architecture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) in an interview with Express says they should evaluate the college in terms of faculty, infrastructure and its collaboration with the industry.
Excerpts
Before choosing architecture as their career, what are the aspects that students need to understand?
Architecture is the oldest technical professions in the world. It is multidisciplinary in nature that integrates two different sets of professional skills and expertise namely arts and technology for the purpose of designing and construction of buildings. It works very closely with many other professionals involved in the construction industry like civil engineers, electrical engineers, contractors, builders etc. in the real estate sector. The students need to understand that the profession of architecture is highly entrepreneurial in nature. It is a rewarding profession where self-employed architects offer consultancy to real estate sector like design and construction of different types buildings.
What are the qualities that the architecture course demands from a student?
For designing of buildings, architects need to be creative, imaginative, innovative, articulate with good drawing skills and at the same time be good in several engineering and technological aspects. Architecture course demands not only good aptitude in the art of drawing but good mathematical abilities, technical and interpersonal skills.
What are the career opportunities for architecture students in India and Telugu states?
The real estate sector is fast expanding in both the Telugu states than ever before. Due to the thrust in policies in the direction of urban development and building industry, architecture as a profession is steadily growing with good future. Career wise architects have options to either work in a private consultancy firm of a senior architect or practice on their own. Private consultancies offer handsome pay based on their talent and experience.
There are a very few job opportunities for architects in government sector also. Students of architecture can also go for higher education in different areas after finishing architecture course and broaden their employment opportunities further in other allied fields.
How is the response for architecture courses from students in AP and Telangana?
Students have to qualify in NATA exam being conducted by the Council of Architecture (COA) of India and get a minimum of 50 percent marks in mathematics at the Intermediate level. This year there is no real change in response of the students seeking admissions to the architecture courses from the previous years.
What should students consider before joining a college of architecture?
After carefully weighing the pros and cons mentioned above, the student should choose the college. Faculty is the strength of any institution. Students should verify the strength of the faculty available in the college and see if they are qualified and experienced as per the standards set by the COA. History of the college, its approval from COA, infrastructure, industry collaboration are also important factors.