“Sense and Sensitivity” - A pathfinder for academic proficiency and personality development
MSAJAA Mentoring is the process of overseeing the effective realization of faculty and students' potential to work collaboratively and become social change makers as well as global leaders tomorrow. Our faculty and students are mentored and they constantly work towards academic proficiency and personal development at all levels.
The institution provides several opportunities for the faculty to engage in knowledge sharing through FDP, participate in hands-on workshops, and benefit from discussions with eminent people from the field of architecture. Specific programs for academic proficiency are curated throughout the year with one-on-one interaction with Professor Emeriti and other multidisciplinary professionals.
As an attempt to bridge the gap between academia and practice, we invite accomplished architects as additional studio mentors. They interact with the students one-on-one as well as address the student group on relevant topics to support their studio progression.
Faculty Mentors help students familiarize with the greater culture of an architectural institution to accomplish quality education and create an ecosystem of research, innovation and entrepreneurship. The practice of mentorship at MSAJAA creates a collaborative environment between faculty (mentors) and students (mentees) and establishes a network of transparency in both academic and administrative matters. Mentors also encourage peer learning and knowledge sharing between students.
It also lays the foundation of lifelong learning, ethical conduct, and behaviour in all aspects with positive motivation and morale boosting. The Campus Mentorship Program's objective aligns well with the institution's vision and mission – To create a resilient community of sensitive and sensible thinkers.
Guidance from Professor emeriti at the start of each semester orientates the faculty towards contextualizing the design studio brief focussing on the 3 C's-context,climate,culture. All our studios are periodically guided by mentors at campus who help in bridging the gap between academia and practice. Professor emeriti guide our B.Arch & M.Arch Thesis students in preparing the framework of the entire process. They are then mentored by architects in practice at both group level and individual levels.
Mentorship Committee & MSAJAA in-house counsellors conduct sessions for mentors to uphold the need for continuous learning and truthfulness in a supportive relationship system.
The goal of MSAJAA's Mentoring Programme, which has been in operation since 2021, is to improve students' life on campus and empower them with support in social or psychological factors. The Program intends to be the support system for aspiring graduates to become exemplars. The mentors engage with the students one-on-one and provide them with methodical academic and personal development support. The mentors serve as advisors, confidants, and role models for the students, instilling in them broadmindedness, wisdom, honesty, responsibility and inner harmony.
MSAJAA strives to create an environment from which students emerge equipped to face the challenges of the new normal and be advocates of change. As a measure of translating these core values into concrete action plans, the institution has taken several measures and witnessed remarkable achievements. The impressive percentage of graduates who are certified architects from our institute has risen from 78 percent to 98 percent, which is a significant indication of this accomplishment.
The intervention of Professor emeritus has advanced the levels of confidence in the faculty to create sensitive and sensible thinkers. MSAJAA-mentorship programme has evidently showcased a space as an inclusive environment for both faculty and students,and has increased the interactive bond between them. The mentorship program's impact is evident as no disciplinary issues were registered from MSAJAA's discipline committee, indicating the students' commitment to ethical behavior in the reporting period.
The MSAJAA -mentorship programme has grown quickly to become an important aspect in the functioning of the college. The role of the mentor has changed from that of a simple figurehead to one that makes more purposeful and organized interventions to help mentoring become more outcome-based and effective
Mentoring requires quality time with the mentee, and this is one of the main challenges of the mentor along with other academic tasks. Reaching each student individually due to group size of 20, tracking results and lack of student motivation were some of the challenges.
Not every student who enrols is committed to achieving their goals in full. They require assistance in planning and preparing for their academics at all times. Gaining the students' trust is the aim of the mentoring process, which enables them to talk openly about their concerns and problems without worrying about being judged.
The mentorship program at MSAJAA exemplifies best practices by uniquely integrating academic proficiency and emotional development, catering to the distinct needs of students and faculty within the architecture discipline. Through this program, students not only hone their design and technical skills but also cultivate emotional intelligence crucial for collaboration and creative problem-solving in the field. This innovative approach fosters a culture of learning deeply rooted in the principles of architecture, where students and faculty engage in a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences. By nurturing both intellectual and emotional growth, MSAJAA's mentorship program not only prepares students for successful careers but also instills in them a lifelong passion for architectural excellence and innovation
“UNLOCKING POTENTIAL” - Curricular enrichment through collaborative ventures and talent pool development
At MSAJAA, we strive to encourage curiosity and broaden horizons by providing opportunities for students to explore diverse interests. To unlock the potential of our students we are committed to fostering an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can flourish, nurturing a culture that values creative thinking and bold ideas. Through various programs and activities, we offer students the chance to develop leadership qualities, empowering them to take initiative and make a positive impact.
Our collaborative work culture emphasizes teamwork and cooperation, ensuring that students learn the importance of working together towards common goals. Moreover, we are dedicated to equipping students with essential life skills and problem-solving acumen, preparing them to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
A variety of curricular enrichment activities are curated to promote learning beyond the curricular framework. To implement this,a 3 prong approach focussing on - Cognition, Communication and Culture has been developed.
Our collaborative learning approach fosters peer learning through higher-order thinking processes, both in and out of the classroom. Academic partnerships with institutions like SPA New Delhi and Goa School of Architecture offer combined design studios, enabling students and faculty to engage with peers from diverse contexts and learn from esteemed academicians. Panel discussions, competitions, and events cater to 21st-century needs and technological developments. Student clubs enhance learning through focus group approaches and workshops, including software bootcamps like Revit, Blender, and Rhino 3D. Faculty development workshops, such as post-pandemic design studio pedagogy sessions, address innovative educational approaches amidst global challenges. Discussions like "Understanding AI in Architecture" enrich participants' insights into emerging technological frontiers.
Within the design studios, students often rely on verbal communication during brainstorming sessions, critiques, and small group discussions to share ideas and feedback, as well as collaborate on projects. Visual communication is also crucial, whether through sketches, drawings, models, or digital renderings, to convey design concepts and spatial relationships effectively. This is a practice that extends beyond the academic environment and forms the basis of a successful studio culture in architectural practice as well. With conscious inclusion of systems and training within the curricular framework thereby improving the quality of graduates for entrepreneurship or employability.
As a practice we constantly reaffirm a pursuit of excellence that shapes an architectural community known for sophistication in design and professionalism.While architectural theory definitely influences design practice, the need of the hour is a more scientific approach in the light of societal challenges, sustainable practices and technological advancements. Additionally, we believe that fostering a culture that is rooted in the present while preparing for future scenarios with interdisciplinary collaboration can enrich the design process and lead to innovative solutions that address complex real-world problems.
At MSAJAA, we strive to constantly reinvent our teaching learning program to meet the growing needs and challenges and promote a culture of excellence. In this regard, we develop programs to steer learning and progression that meet the objectives of our practice forming the cornerstone of our institutional best practice, guiding us as we strive to cultivate excellence, empower our students, and shape the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
Our initiative encourages students to delve into diverse fields of interest, sparking curiosity and broadening their perspectives. By embracing interdisciplinary learning and promoting exploration, we empower students to discover their passions and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Collaboration lies at the heart of our institutional ethos. Through group projects, team-based assignments, and collaborative research endeavors, we foster a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and mutual support. By working together towards common goals, students learn the value of collaboration and develop essential teamwork skills.
Our initiative provides ample opportunities for students to cultivate and demonstrate leadership qualities. From serving in student council to leading campus programs/ initiatives and spearheading student associations and clubs, we inspire students to take initiative, make meaningful contributions, and lead by example.
We are dedicated to nurturing an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. Through experiential learning opportunities, mentorship programs, and access to resources, we empower students to transform their ideas into tangible solutions that address real-world challenges.
Our initiative equips students with the practical skills and problem-solving acumen needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. Through hands-on learning experiences, critical thinking exercises, and real-world simulations, we empower students to navigate challenges with confidence, resilience, and adaptability.
Some of the challenges we have faced stem around the limitation of time. Curricular enrichment programs as well as extension activities require time apart from the scheduled working hours and as an affiliated institution this was an important challenge to work with, as we operate under the academic calendar prescribed by the university.
To adapt, suitable adjustments were implemented in the conventional academic schedule, urging students to venture beyond the institution's structured events. Flexibility was introduced to allow for avid participation in curricular enrichment programs, regular interactions with eminent individuals and resource persons , deep rooted engagement in student clubs and hands-on workshops enriching the learning potential of the learning community as a whole.
Our institution provides robust infrastructure to facilitate holistic learning and exposure and we are constantly working on identifying possibilities for infrastructural enhancements and additional technical expertise to support the growing needs of our learning community.
We cannot reiterate enough about how important it is to have a multi-disciplinary approach to learning as it prepares each individual to become a well-rounded personality. Apart from quantitative, finite, measurable targets set to make assessment and evaluation more efficient in the development process, we have observed how important it is to take into consideration the intangible parameters of growth and success. Student success is evident in their participation and achievements in internal as well as external competitions and regional and national fora viz. National Association for Students of Architecture(NASA), Zonal NASA (ZONASA), National Institute of Advanced studies in Architecture (NIASA), etc.
During the academic year 2022-2023, notable achievements were attained by our students, including recognition by NASA, where their projects were shortlisted for prestigious awards such as the C.P. Kukreja (CPK) Trophy and the Writing Architecture Trophy. Furthermore, our 4th-semester students, as part of their Rural Habitat Studio, secured First place in the national-level collaborative Rural Studio Competition conducted by ETHOS & Hunnarshala. Moreover, our third-year students attained 2nd place in the CA Awards for Excellence in Documentation of Architectural Heritage, specifically in the category of Indigenous Dwellings, held in Delhi. Additionally, students from our 6th semester were among the finalists in the Design Competition "Shelter Genius" organized by Chandigarh University.
Some of the intangibles include student leadership, increased confidence levels, spirit of camaraderie, development of human values, improved social skills, etc. We have observed that this energy and culture trickles into the academic environment and enables a healthy learning environment reflecting positively in academic achievements as well.
We are proud to highlight this practice of tapping into the potential of our teaching learning fraternity and unlocking the various possibilities for all round development, employability and entrepreneurship. Notably some of our alumni have also diversified in pursuing activities beyond the scope of their academic proficiency and continue to bring laurels in their respective fields.
We also believe that this practice has promoted a culture of collaboration and nurtured strong leadership qualities as this practice ensures that our students are able to sustain and grow in any role in their active careers. Many of our students explore entrepreneurial ventures during the course of their study and have been extended due support and encouragement for successful growth and development.
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