O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) launched the Jindal School of Arts and Architecture (JSAA) on Tuesday at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi with the vision of becoming an exemplary centre to learn the material, visual and built environments. During the inaugural event, a lively debate on ‘When is Architecture’ among renowned art historians, social anthropologists, and architectural historians were held.
JSAA will offer two courses namely, BA (Hons.) in Built Environment Studies which is a three-year design program and Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) which is a specialized five-year programme. In his welcome address, Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, JGU said, “I am proud to announce the launch of Jindal School of Arts and Architecture, JGU’s seventh school. With this, we have stepped into the realm of study of architecture, design and the built environment. As this school evolves, we will draw upon the aspects of other disciplines offered by the university and will focus on international engagement from both faculty and student perspective.”
Prof. (Dr.) Jaideep Chatterjee, Vice Dean elaborated the vision and motives of the programme available at JSAA and reclaimed, “Today we need to foster an environment where design, architecture are not seen as finite and autonomous domains of knowledge but are seen in dialogue with other disciplines. Being a part of the JGU which has six established schools in allied disciplines would allow JSAA to produce graduates which are equipped in multiple disciplines to address the most critical issues facing our cities, towns, and villages.”
The vision also outlined how an inter-disciplinary approach and holistic education would be possible through innovative coursework and curricular structure in both the programmes off JSAA. He further added that students from both programmes of JSAA can opt from sixteen pre-figured minors (History, Global Studies, Law, Public Policy etc.) or design their own minor in consultation with the faculty members, work in studios that are thematic and get vertical alignments across years or coursework.
Other eminent figures that graced the occasion were Prof. (Dr.) Thomas Mical, Dean-Designate, Stephane Paumier, Principal Architect, JGU, and Prof (Dr.) Jaideep Chatterjee, Vice Dean, JSAA.