Department of Architecture

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Dept. data last updated on :08/11/2024

International Conference on Legacy of Traditional Architecture

publication The Department of Architecture at Zakir Hussain College of Engineering & Technology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), organised a one-day International Conference on April 27, centred on the theme "Legacy of Traditional Architecture."

Distinguished keynote speaker Prof. Kheir Al-Kodmany from the University of Illinois, Chicago, set the tone for the conference. In the inaugural session, Mr. Mohammad Imran (IPS), Registrar of AMU, highlighted the significance of sustainable architectural practices amidst contemporary challenges. Guests of honour included Prof. Kheir Al-Kodmany and Dr. Arun Kapoor.

Spearheaded by Prof. Sharmin Khan as Chairperson and Convenor, with Prof. Mohd Khalid Hassan and Prof. Mohammad Farhan Fazli as Co-Conveners, the conference aimed to explore the enduring relevance of traditional architectural methods and techniques in contemporary contexts.

The event also celebrated the winners of a poster-making contest, competition, recognising the talent of students likes Mr. Mujjassim Ahmad Bhati, Mr. Al Hamd, and Mr. Mohd. Hassan Warid.

More than 40 papers were presented, covering diverse topics such as passive design techniques, energy efficiency, historic preservation strategies, cultural narratives, and renewable energy resources. Sessions were conducted in hybrid mode and chaired by professionals, including Prof. Kheir, Prof. Javed Mallick, and Prof. Peng Du.

During valedictory session, Prof. Vibha Sharma emphasised the conference's significance in preserving cultural and historic identities, emphasising the interdisciplinary nature of architecture. Dr. Salma Shaheen commended the department's efforts and awarded certificates and mementos to outstanding paper presenters.

Noteworthy recipients included Ms. Sheetal Varshney, Mr. Arshaan Masood, Mr. Mohd Suhaib Zamir, Architect Abhishek Bhardwaj, Ms. Uma Arya, Architect Farida Husain, Architect R. Shanthi Priya, Architect Mahek Khan, Architect Afreen Fatima, and Ms. Ilma Nafees.

Prof. Mohd Khalid Hassan concluded the event with a vote of thanks.

INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA MEET AND EXHIBITION ON APRIL 20

The Department of Architecture, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology (ZHCET), Aligarh Muslim University is organizing an Industry-Academia Meet and Exhibition on April 20, 2024, to bring together the professionals, academicians and students for interaction and exchange of ideas. The inaugural session of the event will be held at 10:00 am.

Prof Sharmin Khan, Chairman, Department of Architecture and Programme Convener, informed that AMU Vice Chancellor is the chief patron and Prof Mirza Salim Beg, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology and Prof M. M. Sufyan Beg, Principal, ZHCET are the Co-patrons.

The eminent speakers are Prof Manoj Mathur, SPA, New Delhi; Prof Rajat Ray, Ex-Dean, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi; Dr. Arun Kapur, Amity School of Architecture, Lucknow and also Honorary Architect, Gunjan and Associates, Lucknow; Architect Gaurav Gupta, De:Cape Studio, Lucknow; Architect Manish Kr. Sahai, Sahai Architects, Aligarh; Architect Hemlata Singh, White Fox Designs LLP, New Delhi and Architect Udit Gaurav, Green Building Consultant, Greater Noida. The talks will be focused on the present scenario in building design and construction practices.

Prof Khan said that the exhibitors, associated with the products related to building industry will participate in the exhibition of architectural materials, fittings, fixtures, etc., while an interaction with them will help take affirmative decisions in selecting materials related to any type of construction, be it our home or workplace.

The title sponsor of the event is Design Evolution Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, while the sponsors of the event include Udit Gaurav Green Building Consultants; Vijay Sanitary Store, Kishanpur Tiraha, Aligarh (Supreme Plastics), and UPVC Khirki Doors and Windows. The Co-Sponsors of the event are Classic Trading Co. (Johnson Tiles and Hardware) Aligarh, Dawakhana Tibbiya College (AMU, Aligarh), and Crossroads Edu (Study Abroad Consultants).

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The Department of Architecture, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University organized an Industry-Academia Meet and Exhibition, with Prof Rafiuddin, Dean Students’ Welfare as the chief guest. He appreciated the initiative and stressed the need for such programmes to provide students with an exposure to the practical world and focus on strengthening the professional-academician-students interaction and exchange of ideas.

The Co-patron of the programme, Prof Mirza Salim Beg, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology highlighted the recent achievements of the University on various ranking platforms.

Prof Manoj Mathur, SPA, New Delhi and Professor Rajat Ray, Indraprastha University, New Delhi were the guests of honour, and Architect Hemlata Singh, Principal Architect, White Fox Designs LLP, New Delhi was the Alumni Coordinator.

Prof. Rafiuddin and Prof. M. Salim Beg inaugurated an exhibition of the products used in the construction industry. The exhibits included the plumbing fittings by Supreme Plastics, tiles and bathware by Classic Trading Co, Aligarh; Berger paints, door and window fittings in aluminium section by Wingreen, water softener, water cooler, water purifier, water inonizer by KITA and Peacock valley.

Earlier, Prof Sharmin Khan, Chairperson, Department of Architecture welcomed the guests and discussed the objectives of the Meet. She appreciated the efforts of Architect Manish Kr. Sahai, Sahai Architects, Aligarh, who played a key role in motivating the exhibitors to participate in the exhibition.

Prof Manoj Mathur, SPA New Delhi; Prof Rajat Ray, Ex-Dean, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi; Dr. Arun Kapur, Amity School of Architecture, Lucknow and also Honorary Architect, Gunjan and Associates, Lucknow; Architect Gaurav Gupta, DeCape Studio, Lucknow; Architect Manish Kr. Sahai, Sahai Architects, Aligarh; Architect Hemlata Singh, White Fox Designs LLP, New Delhi, Architect Udit Gaurav, Green Building Consultant, Greater Noida spoke on various aspects of the engineering side of the construction industry.

A panel discussion was held for the budding engineers with the experts attending the programme.

AMU Proctor, Prof. Mohd. Wasim Ali addressed the valedictory programme as the chief guest, while Prof Rajat Ray, former Dean, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi and Prof. Salma Ahmed, Member Incharge, Dawakhana Tibbiya College, AMU were the guests of honour.

Prof. Mohd. Wasim Ali felicitated the title sponsor Design Evolution Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, sponsors Udit Gaurav Green Building Consultants; Vijay Sanitary Store, UPVC Khirki Doors and Windows and the Co-sponsors Classic Trading Co. (Johnson Tiles and Bathware), Dawakhana Tibbiya College and Crossroads Edu.

Prof. Sharmin Khan extended a vote of thanks.

The Following Students of the department qualifying in state/ national/ international level examinations, 2021-2022.

Registration/Roll Number	Name	Exam
AR22S73030254	MOHD. SHAMEEM	GATE
AR22S75004026	LALIT SINGH MEHTA	GATE
AR20S33033125	URFA RAIS ANSARI	GATE
AR22S75004042	MOHD UMAIR	GATE
21074	MOHD HASAN SHOAIB	IELTS
2018394	MOHAMMAD ARBAZUDDIN -CEED	TOEFL
AR21S23031459	HAFSA RAFI	GATE
AR22S73027182	HAFSA RAFI	GATE
AR22S73030286	UZMA MEKRANI	GATE
AR21S25037015	TAQDEES MARIAM	GATE

TRAINING PROGRAMME : “RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & INNOVATIVE STATISTICAL APPLICATIONS" ORGANIZED BY DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, Z.H.C.E.T., AMU, ALIGARH.

A five-day training programme titled “Research Methodology & Innovative Statistical Applications" was organized by the Department of Architecture, Aligarh Muslim University. The idea to conduct this training programme was to pave the way for enriched research work in future. The organizing committee included Dr. Mohd. Khalid Hassan (Chairman and Convener), Dr. Sharmin Khan (Chief Co-ordinator), Architect Faraz Farooq (Co-ordinator), and Architect Sadaf Faridi (Co-ordinator).

Prof. M. Altamush Siddiqui (Dean Faculty of Engg. & Tech.) and Prof. M.M. Sufyan Beg, (Principal, ZHCET), graced the Inaugural session, on Monday, 6^th June, 2022. They congratulated the department for organizing the program and wished for the success of the program. Prof. Salma Ahmed (Dean, Faculty of Management Studies and Research), and Prof. Mirza Salim Beg (Chairman, Committee for Ranking of the University) dignified the Valedictory session on 10^th June, 2022 and appreciated the efforts of the organising team.
This program was planned in a hybrid mode, for many reasons including the one that people in distant places can also get benefitted. The program was offered to academicians, research scholars, and UG/PG students. Participants registered from different states of India like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, New Delhi, UP, Haryana etc. Many international participants from Oman, Malaysia, and Dubai also joined the program in online mode.
Professors from various disciplines and having expertise in research conducted sessions on various aspects of research, like; Scientific methodology of research, Application of search engines and searching strategies, Research ethics, Data collection, Inferential statistics, Research design, Application of SPSS in research and Research writing: Sources and their Documentation. The exposure to exceptional combination of experts from different disciplines is rare and this program was based on the concept that the basics of research remain same, no matter what discipline we belong to. The program was successfully concluded on 10^th June, 2022, and participants acknowledged that the expertise of multidisciplinary resource persons was highly beneficial for them.

NEWS AND PUBLICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT

Council of Architecture appointed Ar. Sanjeev Maheshwari, an Associate Professor of this department as observer for one of its NATA centre for the conduct of National Aptitude Test in Architecture on 10th April 2021. The test was organised successfully without any glitch at Gagan College of Management and Engineering Agra Road Aligarh.

publication Ar. Sanjeev Maheshwari, Associate Professor and Ex-Chairman of this department visited IILM University, Gurugram as a member of Expert Committee of UGC as an AICTE representative for evaluation of infrastructure, course curriculum and maintenance of other minimum standards of tertiary education as prescribed by UGC, AICTE and BAR Council from 18-02-2021 to 20-02-2021. Mr. Maheshwari had earlier visited about a dozen institution on similar visits as member of UGC/AICTE committee. Ex-Chairmen Ar. Nawab Ahmad, Ar. Sanjeev Maheshwari and Ar. T.R. Warsi have visited state PSCs as subject experts in earlier years. Present Chairman Dr. Mohd Khalid Hassan and Dr. Mohammad Farhan Fazli have been actively involved in conduct of various exams of CBSE exams center as observers and coordinators in the country. Ar. Sanjeev Maheshwari was entrusted with conduct of NATA 2020 at a centre in Aligarh as an Observer.

Department of Architecture achieved 13th rank in NIRF-2019.

The Following Students of the department cleared GATE exam in the session 2019:

Name - GATE/AIR(Rank)

Akshay Rathi - 001

Mushfiq Humam - 044

Gunjan Jain - 187

Areeb Khan - 223

Shahnawaz J Sheikh - 419

Sanskrati Varshney - 551

Pranav Varshney - 625

Palak Varshney - 625

Syed Asif Ali - 761

Kunaal Khemani - 761

Aman Prakash Gupta - 791

Apoorva Dubey - 1005

Tayyab Mohsin - 1333

Anam Fatima - 1519

Anas Bin Basheer - 1832

Ar. Mohd Khalid Hasan, Assistant Professor and Ar. Mohammad Farhan Fazli, Assistant Professor have been impaneled as Architects for developing Avantika Bai Park near Agra Bus Stand for face lifting of the round-about, parks and street escapes by Nagar Nigam Aligarh

The Following Students of the department cleared GATE exam in the session 2013-2014:

Name - GATE/AIR(Rank)

Sufiyan Ahmed - 17

Firoj Ahmed - 28

Aakansha Agarwal - 69

Anu Mendiratta - 175

Azra Mahwash - 289

4-SEPT-2014: Ar. Khan Amadur Rehman, Assistant Professor, Architecture Department will act as Departmental Training & Placement Officer

10-FEB-2014: The Heritage Cell and Hobbies Club of the Aligarh Muslim University organized a six-day workshop to sensitize students and provide hands on training in traditional construction technologies used in the making of old buildings of the University.

AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Brigadier (Retd.) S. Ahmad Ali and Director K.A. Nizami Centre for Qur'anic Studies, Prof. Ahtisham A. Nizami graced the valedictory function at Kennedy Auditorium.

In his welcome address, Dr. F.S. Shirani, Coordinator of the General Education Centre (GEC) said that Hobbies workshop is one of the vibrant Clubs of the University and offered five popular sections including architecture and interior designing, innovation and modeling, woodcraft, photographs, gardening and software usage. These are very useful and job oriented hobbies.

Dr. Farhan Fazli, President of Hobbies workshop said that the structures of the MOA College in their own right developed a unique "Aligarh style of Architecture", which was an amalgamation of the Indian and British styles. He said that the aim of the workshop is to provide skills and bolster up the necessary motivation among all the participants in order to make them understand and appreciate the beauty of a traditional and very effective construction methodology.

Dr. Farhan Fazli said that more than 20 faculty members from Departments of Architecture and Civil Engineering have joined the workshop. Ms. Satya Jeet Kaur and Ilma, students of Architecture highlighted the activities of the six-day workshop.

Mr. Nawab Ahmad, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture invited as Expert/ Advisor to participate in the inverview to select lecturers in Architecture for Polytectecnics in UP at Public Service Commission, Allhabad on 11-12-2013.

Local team of Birla White made a prisentation in the department introducing students of 3rd year and 4th year B.Arch. to this year's Theme for Birla White Yuvaratana Award-2013 i.e.To Design NextGen Sustainable Corporate Office at Navi Mumbai.

Mr. Sanjeev Maheshwari, Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Architecture delivered a speech on URBAN MOBILITY as invited speaker as on occasion of WORLD HABITAT DAY function organised by institution of engineers (India) Aligarh chapter on 7th October 2013 at Multimedia Room , University Women's Polytechnic ,AMU, Aligarh.

Mr. Sanjeev Maheshwari, Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Architecture invited as Expert/ Advisor to participate in the interview to select Asst.Town Planner organised by Rajasthan Public Service Commission, Ajmer on 11th and 12th Sept 2013.

Mr. Nawab Ahmad, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture invited as Expert/ Advisor to participate in the inverview to select Asst.Town Planner organised by Rajasthan Public Service Commission, Ajmer on 16th and 17th Sept 2013.

Council of Architecture New Delhi, has extended the approval of admissions to B.Arch program of the department at the sanctioned intake of 20 for session 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16. Expert inspection committee of Council of Architecture, New Delhi headed by Prof. Anuraag Roy, New Delhi had visited the Department of architecture on 18th & 19th of April 2013.

Executive Council of Aligarh Muslim University in its meeting held on 10th June 2013 approved the creation of a Heritage Cell in the University under the the chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor. Among others Mr. Mohammad Farhan Fazli(Consevation Architect), Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture was appointed as convener and member of the cell to function from the office of Mr. Fazli in the Department of Architecture.

Mr. Sanjeev Maheshwari, Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Architecture invited as Subject Expert for selection of Faculty members in Architecture by J & K Public Service Commission, Jammu.

Mr. Sanjeev Maheshwari, Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Architecture appointed as an expert on an Expert Committee to visit Accurate Institute of Architecture and Planning, Greater Noida by Mahamaya Technical University, Noida. Mr.Maheshwari was accompanied by Mr. Mohd Ziauddin of Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi as member.

Mr. Sanjeev Maheshwari, Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Architecture invited as Subject Expert/Advisor by U.P. Public Service Commission Allahabad for Selection Committee.

Mr. Sanjeev Maheshwari, Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Architecture Appointed as member of Expert Committee to visit Engineering and Pharmacy, Institutions at Mathura by A.I.C.T.E.

6 Students of the Department were awarded PIDILITE award for excellence in Architectural Design & Interior Design.

The faculty members had publications in various National & International Journals & conferences in the session 2012-2013.

Department of Architecture was also awarded certificate of Excellence in Architectural education by PIDILITE industries.

Students participated in Technical Fests organised by IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and ZHCET, AMU with distinction.

Course oriented long-term educational tours were organised by the department to Nainital and Mumbai to give the students broader perspective regarding Architectural developments across the country.

A course revision and formulation committee meeting was held in the department on 16th February 2012. Ms. Jayshree D. Deshpande, DIrector-in-charge, NIASA, COA, Pune was invited as NIASA expert to contribute and provide valuable suggestions and insight.

An Expert inspection committee of Council of Architecture, New Delhi headed by Prof. Anuraag Roy, New Delhi visited the Department of architecture on 18th & 19th of April 2013. He was accompanied by Prof. Madhumita Roy, Kolkatta. Students & Staff lead by Dean Prof. Hamid Ali and Chairman Sanjeev Maheshwari welcomed them and presented the department, its facilities and student's works to them. Honourable Vice-Chancellor Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah posted the dinner in the hon our of visiting dignitaries.