Architecture is the Mother of all Art: Prof. Jaffer AA Khan, Founder Director of MIDAS

MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi (MIDAS) is an institute on a mission: to become a renowned hub of learning for architecture in South East Asia by 2021. MIDAS aims to create an environment where freedom and spirit of expression will find a place to flourish not just with the students but the faculty as well.

Prof. Jaffer AA Khan, the Director of MIDAS, is a graduate from The Bartlett, UCL, London and brings in 27 years of industry experience. Having done signature projects, his work is widely published and is part of the MIT Harvard digital archives.

Prof. Khan talks to click4college.com about the vision, programmes & future plans of MIDAS:

click4college: What is the inspiration behind setting up an institution like MIDAS? Can you tell us something about the founders of MIDAS?

Prof. Khan: MIDAS is a unique school and different when compared to other school in terms of its approach to the whole idea of “Architecture”. The school focusses on “the spirit and essence of Indian Culture” and intends to evolve over a period of time an architecture which will bring about a solution to human habitat problems.

The school is headed by me. The promoter Shri.GRK Reddy, Chairman of Marg Group is equally enthusiastic about MIDAS.

click4college: What are the programmes & courses being offered at MIDAS?

Prof. Khan: MIDAS offers B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) Degree. It is a five years degree program, affiliated to Anna University Chennai and approved by the Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi.
 

click4college: What are the eligibility criteria to get enrolled in these programmes at MIDAS?

Prof. Khan: 

Candidates who have secured 50% marks in aggregate are eligible to the architecture course if they have passed an examination at the end of the new 10+2 scheme of Senior School Certificate Examination or equivalent with Mathematics as subjects of examination at the 10+2 level.
or
10+3 Diploma (any stream) recognised by Central/ State Governments with 50% aggregate marks.
or
International Baccalaureate Diploma, after 10 years of schooling, with not less than 50% marks in aggregate and with Mathematics as compulsory subject of examination.

All Admissions to Architecture degree course shall be subject to passing of National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) conducted by the Council of Architecture.

click4college: What is the selection process at MIDAS?

Prof. Khan: The eligible students under government quota are admitted through Anna University Counselling. Under the management quota, the eligible students undergo an interview as part of the selection process.

click4college: Can you tell us something about the faculty at MIDAS?

Prof. Khan: MIDAS has enrolled an excellent core and adjunct faculty from India and abroad. We have several training programmes to enrich our faculty and encourage them to participate in workshops and conferences.

click4college: How is MIDAS different from other architecture schools in India?

Prof. Khan: MIDAS is not a “run of the mill” school. Though we strictly follow the curriculum of Anna University, we devise within this programme a unique pattern of exercises which are well researched and of international quality. This provokes the thinking mind towards a “thinking architecture” which has logic and reason.

click4college: Are there any short-term courses or workshops on the anvil?

Prof. Khan: Yes. We have planned short-term courses in the near future in collaboration with foreign universities.

click4college: How does an architecture & design school like MIDAS equip a student for a successful career? What is the scope after studying the courses offered here?

Prof. Khan: A final product from MIDAS will be a responsible architect for a developing society. Architecture here is taught, not just as “building buildings” but to help look at things beyond the walls. The present breed is ruthless and sees architecture with a limited vision. We want to change this and of course you may see this change in 10 to 15 years. MIDAS aims to be a trend setting school, breeding architects as leaders but not architects as subservient robotic characters.

click4college: Any achievements by the school/ students/ faculty members that you’d like to share?

Prof. Khan: The school’s first lap will be completed in 2012. There are several laps to go and we aim to finish first with a considerable advantage. There are 200 odd schools in India and as you know we have just entered the race. We want to be different and cross our milestones much ahead of time.
We have recently entered into a National Level competition at New Delhi and plan for an international competition by the mid of 2012.

click4college: Any message you’d like to give to students who are interested in architecture & design & would like to make a career these fields?

Prof. Khan: Architecture is a noble profession. Architects are responsible for the built environment in a society. Hence we have a greater job than any other profession. Architecture can be termed as a relationship between the “Microcosm and the Macrocosm”. We want the future to understand this and embark on this mission. It is a brilliant profession anyway and a “mother of all ART” and hence more important to understand and deliver. If you love it then become a part of it!

As told to Nishatha Abraham

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