BSS, Rajshahi :
Speakers at an international seminar emphasised on the solution to the existing problems and deficiencies in architectural education in Bangladesh to bring a change to accommodate future needs and demands of architectural profession.
They viewed searching for roots of our deficiencies and trend of architectural education would provide a base on which to develop and update the present curriculum and method of teaching.
However, they said an integrated approach taking inputs from national and regional level is being searched to attain a better future for architectural education in Bangladesh.
Architecture Department of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) organized the seminar styled “Architecture Education: Ecology and Build Environment” at its auditorium here Friday.
RUET Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Rafiqul Alam Beg addressed the opening session as chief guest with Prof Iqbal Matin, Chairman of Architecture Department, in the chair. Registrar Prof Mosharraf Hossain and Director (Planning and Development) Prof Alim Uddin also spoke.
In the technical session, Architecture Departmental Head of BUET Prof Dr Kazi Azizul Mawla, Geography Department Head of India’s Biswabharati University Prof Dr Moloy Mukherjee and its Senior Research Fellow Saswati Roy, Geography Department Head of Gourbanga University Prof Dr Swadesh Paul and Prof Dr Monisha Dev Sarker from Kolkata Women Christian College presented research papers on the topic.
The academics and researchers said the architecture of ancient Bengal with beautiful houses, palaces, gateways, arches and great thoroughness have pointed out their relevance for the understanding of the forms and pattern of architecture.
India and Bangladesh share a rich cultural heritage that is based on the commonalities extending to all aspects of the shared cultural dimensions including architecture.
Architecture of both India and Bangladesh has a long history and is rooted in common culture, religion and history of the two countries.
It has evolved over centuries and assimilated influences from social, religious and exotic communities. The common architecture of both the countries bears a remarkable impact on the lifestyle, tradition and cultural life of their people.
Prof Kazi Azizul Mawla said architect professionals should try to satisfy the need of the user, the one who is actually going to use those buildings. The buildings should satisfy the users more than the architects themselves.
This makes architecture different from art where the artist can paint and draw first of all to satisfy him or her.
There is a need to develop more theoretical base to deal with architectural problems and to solve problems logically. The dire need to ask more questions than answers is indispensable.
He added that students must be prepared methodically to take decisions with logic and should have philosophical understanding in concept formulation and carry out the project following a systematic procedure.
Developing personality and confidence along with skill should be the focus of architectural education. Care should be given to make theoretical courses understandable, interesting and related to architecture. A constant review of theory courses is essential to establish a direct link between theory, design exercise and practice, Prof Mawla opined.
