Baroda's MS University to offer Master’s course in architecture

The state's second best department for architecture, department of architecture of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, will soon have one more feather in his cap. The department is planning to start a masters degree in architecture from the next academic year. Not only will the department have a new course, from June 2012, but the course will be taught in the new building, which is presently under construction.

Along with the new building, the entire campus of the architecture department will be re-designed with attractive landscaping and sculptures. The plans to change the face of the entire campus is in the pipeline, for which landscaping will be done by the head of the department of architecture department, Dr Shishir R Raval. Raval told DNA said, "I am a landscape designer and presently undertaking the work of designing the task of beautifying the entire campus in the best way of landscapes and sculptures. We will have native plants in the campus. A water conservation project is also being considered."

For the construction of a new building for offering the new course, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved a grant of Rs 83 lakh. The head of department (HOD), architecture department of MSU, Dr Shishir R Raval, told DNA, "Out of the total grant, Rs65 lakh has been provided for the construction of a new building. Also, the commission is giving us Rs17.5L for improving the infrastructure and the rest (Rs50,000) for the library books." The new building will be a one-storey one with various amenities.

"Presently, we do not have adequate space for classrooms/design studios. In the present building, we will have spacious rooms for multi-purpose activities like design studios, exhibition space, large hall for student gathering and other department activities," added Raval.

The department, which till now had a bachelors course in architecture, is planning to start masters course in two divisions -- M.Arch in Urban Planning and M.Arch in Housing. "We will start at least one course by June 2012 and begin the admission process for the same," added Raval.