Anoop Sharma
By now, India and this world at large proudly accept the teacher/Guru/facilitator as the main foundation of society. The fact is also realised and put-forth by our PM Narinder Modi at Australia’s Alphonse Arena in Sydney recently and at New york’s Madison Square a few weeks back. Having said it, PM also retaliated one and all by saying that India has a huge potential and resources for this teaching fraternity as our India is young and close to three-quarter of our population is below 35 years old. So, world will definitely look towards India for this very special service to humanity.
I want to take your attention towards a very beautiful, indeed creative and unique professional field i.e. the field of architecture, of which I am a part of. This field has a great role in shaping of our motherland which is the single largest motto in front of the contemporary world. As, this is a professional field so involves good scope of private practice; so to attract the teaches/facilitators towards it, is a special task in itself. Being professional field, it is also governed by a Council (like Doctor’s MCI) i.e. Council of Architecture, CoA Delhi. Additionally, it does involve license/registration for teaching or practice (like doctors) from the said Council. A simple Graduation in Architecture i.e. B.Architecture is again a 5-yr. comprehensive course (like MBBS) unlike any engineering stream with which it is equated to time and again. CoA also defines space/infrastructure/equipment requirements to run an architecture institution, minimum qualification guidelines to become a faculty in architecture etc. CoA also grants approvals to various new institutions along with extension of approvals to already running institutions to start/take up new batch/batches based on fulfilment of certain criterions.
Off late, through media and by attending some conferences, I can conclude that in order to realise the dream of our PM, architects shall be the prime community at the helm of affairs. Smart city concepts, India 2020, can’t be made realistic without us architects. In actual words, total construction that has taken place all over the world till date shall be doubling itself in next 25-30 years. Hence, the scope of architects can be imagined. I can say, day has already come when the quantum of work for architects has outnumbered their actual numbers in India despite the great increase in number of architecture colleges in last decade or so.
The record breaking quantum work in front of our community can only be confronted by capable work force. Record shows, like all over the world; India is also short of faculty in most architectural institutions. For this to happen, this is the high time for architects to think over for teaching. Teaching in architecture is the need of the hour. As only teacher is multi-pronged and through his disciples, he/she can contribute to the aforesaid dreams of India in much efficient manner. Its the same Council of Architecture (CoA) which defines minimum eligibility criterion to attain license/registration for teaching or practice. CoA also defines owing to certain intake of students, what is the minimum strength of faculty and staff required primarily for B.Architecture full time 5-yr Course.
As B. architecture has a great professional scope too other than teaching as a 3-yr diploma course in architecture (through polytechnic etc.) is the minimum eligibility for practice in architecture. So, architects are not motivated for higher studies or teaching perhaps. Here again, CoA is very practical in defining qualification criterion for faculty. You can even join teaching (for B.Arch 5 yr course full time) in Architecture after having regular B. Architecture (First Class) only. The same is not the case with engineering streams where UGC has its say for Ph.D as the minimum qualification. While in teaching, one can still contribute to the market through institutional consultancy. Afterwards, one can enhance the qualification for personal interest, professional and academic growth etc. CoA approves many such modes particularly for teaching faculty. Regular Post graduation and Doctoral means are always available in many IITs , NITs, SPAs and abroad universities for those who want to pursue it by availing study leave (provided parent institute permits based on rules) as regular course can only be pursued for in service candidates through study leave. CoA also approves some part time post graduation courses particularly suitable and preferred by in-service faculty in architecture. Such courses are always a boon for the candidate and his parent institution as regular job and regular classes at parent institution doesn’t hamper. For such part time courses in architecture, classes takes place every weekend usually. Hence, there is every opportunity for the inquisitive academician too to enhance his qualification even after joining the teaching at B.Architecture level. Though, it is always advisable to go for maximum qualification at the outset before commencing the teaching career in this competitive era.
Like Coucil of Architecture (CoA), there is a parallel institution of Architecture i.e. IIA (Indian Institute of Architects). IIA also recognises and affiliates its degrees. Like council registration, IIA registrations also hold a special place in architecture profession.. IIA also awards B.Arch degree course (4 years after poly-technical 3-year diploma in architecture) which is somewhat distance mode sort of (as classes doesn’t take place) & same is duly approved by CoA for license to practice and teaching. The same is also the minimum eligibility for IIA membership (registration). Apart from having basic core architecture faculty having regular Ist Class B.Arch or Ist Class M.Arch, allied faculty members (on adhoc/visiting or as the case may be) are also required for some subjects like civil engineering based subjects, management based subjects etc. It is important to mention here that the field of architecture must have a collaboration between field works (profession) and academia. In order to support that, experienced professional architects should come forward for teaching and if not at regular basis, then it could be at visiting basis e.g. one or two days a week. Even CoA encourages the same through its rules Handbook.
For both type of institutions i.e CoA approved ones and IIA ones (diploma courses), there is an everlasting demand of teaching fraternity which ought to be met at an alarming rate now if we need to be somewhat close to the aforesaid developed India’s dreams. At least you don’t have to be Ph.D to join teaching in Architecture. Its not UGC, its CoA which prescribes architect’s standing in professional and academic career. Come Join teaching in architecture as India and the world at large needs you in great numbers for better tomorrow. So, take a step; response to the advertisements for teaching and the course shall follow itself.