Prof. Chaya Chavan – Tirvir is the Vice Principal of Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi. She has completed her Master of Architecture and is currently pursuing her PhD in Traditional Architecture. Prof. Chaya Chavan – Tirvir has 21 years of experience in teaching and has been awarded the Best Educationalist Award and Certificate of Education Excellence-2018. She has also received an award by the Indian Solidarity Council, New Delhi and Maharshi Walmiki National Best Teacher Award in 2016. 

Prof. Chaya Chavan – Tirvir has been awarded the A3 Foundation Thesis Guide Award 2020-21. Besides this Prof. Chaya Chavan - Tirvir has also published various International and National research papers including Scopus Indexed.

Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture

When you first came to Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture what was your vision for the college? Has it evolved, and how far along in implementing that vision is you?

I have been a member of Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi for the past 19 years. My vision when I fist joined coincided with the college visions, "To inspire the students to be globally competent architects through innovative teaching and learning methods and imbibe a sense of environmental sustainability and social responsibilities." Over the past few years, I have finally begun to see the results of my vision. Our graduates are currently working in a variety of prestigious positions on both a national and international scale.

Being the Vice Principal from Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi what is your leadership philosophy? How would you describe your leadership style?

My leadership philosophy is to empower the teachers and cultivate leadership skills in them. I genuinely enjoy encouraging the morale of others and contributing to collaborative efforts. I do my best to ensure that every member of the team can make use of their specific abilities and advantages. In addition, I believe that using positive reinforcement is the most effective strategy for achieving long-lasting results. I work with the staff and faculty to help them build self-assurance and leadership skills.

How do you ensure that the curriculum offered at Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture is relevant and aligned with industry requirements?

Because of the level of knowledge which students get at Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi many of our students get the opportunity to work for reputable companies. A significant number of them are also able to take admission to postgraduate programmes at international universities. For example, one of our students collaborated with Sonam Wangchuk, a Ladakhi environmentalist. This demonstrates that the curriculum at our institution, as well as the teaching and learning process, is current and aligned with the requirements of the industry.

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What would you like people to know about your college they may not know?

The Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture in Akurdi utilises a variety of teaching and learning approaches on campus. Our teaching method is centered on hands-on activities, we spend most of our time outside, we utilise 3D media, conduct demonstrations, go on practical site visits, and have discussions with prominent figures. This helps students to understand the concept of Architecture more easily and students gain both confidence and interest in the subject.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see for higher education in Architecture and any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students who would like to make a career in Architecture overcoming these challenges?

In this new vista, architectural education must move faster and smarter and the reason is continually changing ins advance technology. It is a great challenge to understand how to be part of this new smart world. Architecture careers are unique. There is a wealth of opportunity in the private sector, particularly in architecture-related fields such as architectural consulting, firms, software parks, service planning wings, interior contracting firms, and research. 

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the College and the students are?

Being a Vice Principal of Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi I need to be able to see things from a teacher's perspective to make effective decisions and communicate changes in a way that teachers will understand.

Also, with respect to students' point of view along with curriculum, it is very important to think about the overall development of students hence need to arrange various extra curriculum and co-curriculum activities, which will develop confidence and interest in students.

What do you see as Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture greatest strength?

Along with the curriculum, we give weightage to extra curriculum activities. Our teaching process follows taxonomy to achieve better outcomes. Our teaching is activity based where we spend most time outdoors. We take the help of 3D media, demonstration-based, practical site visits where students get to interact with eminent personalities. This helps to create confidence and interest in students. We encourage our students to do research. Many of our final-year students publish research papers based on their final project work. Periodically, we also arrange different national, state, and intercollege events which are a good platform for faculty and students to enhance their skills.

Can you discuss any ongoing collaborations or partnerships with other educational institutions or industry that benefit students from Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture?

Presently we have more than 25 partnerships and collaborations which are meant to help our students and faculty with overall development. Some of our notable collaborations are with, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage and with Know How! to help gain knowledge and experience of the overall building construction industry. We also have tie-ups with the Maharashtra Stepwells Campaign that identifies step wells all around Maharashtra and takes care of documentation, preservation, and conservation.

Our collaborations with Bosch India Foundation provide industrial exposure and enhance the quality of Architecture education being imparted to the student. Likewise, with Interdwise Education Pvt Ltd we aim at assisting, guiding, training, and counselling students for international studies.

What are your future goals and aspirations for the Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture, and how do you plan to achieve them?

In regards to advancement in Architecture education in faster and more intelligent way Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi aims to have a long-term goal like meeting deeds of future by implementing new strategies. Being a part of this college as a Vice Principal, my challenges are to figure out new challenges that meet smart world. To achieve this, we identified organizations to collaborate on various international projects and faculties, student exchange programmes at National and International level.

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Can you share some success stories of your college's alumni and how they have contributed to the Architecture profession?

Many of our students doing well. Some of our noteable success stories are Ar. Ojas Kulkarni an Ar. Akanksha Mishra, founders of Studio Space Unfold of the 2012 batch Alumni. They are the finalists for Architecture Category Awards for Architecture & Design 2023 by Family Interior Magazine.

Ar. Shrey Agarwal of the 2015 batch Alumni ws felicitated by Hindustan Newspaper as “Architect Ratna”. Ar. Beruj Kumar Swastik and Ar. Abeibam Sonia, Founders of Urban and Landscape Design Studio of the 2011 batch Alumni were felicitated by UNACCO School Management for their exemplary architectural services.

Ar. Rajat Upadhyaya another 2015 batch alumni is the founder of Newness, Mumbai. He also has a project published in Architectural Digest India on 21 April 2023. Sourabh Sakhare was awarded for his thesis: A3 Foundation Thesis Award, Chandigarh.