Aayojan School of Architecture

Prof. Kiran S. Mahajani is the Director and Principal of Ayojan School of Architecture, Jaipur and Aayojan School of Architecture & Design, Pune. He has professional experience of almost thirty years. These three decades of association with the educational sector makes him a great guide to all his students. He has been holding a position as advisory and guest faculty in many institutes.

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“Capability to make the youth more responsible for the growth of the Nation”

I believe, every human being eventually seeks something beyond material gratification from his or her sector of work, the education sector certainly provides me with that avenue. The connection with the youth i.e. the future also adds vitality and keeps fuelling my creativity and urge to contribute to the cause of society. Importantly, it also induces a sense of power and in turn, a sense of duty and responsibility, to shape carriers of individuals.

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style? 

“Democratic and inclusive leadership with better, empowered and decisive committees and resultant teamwork in the institute”

First and foremost, I like to remain part of the team I am leading and contribute directly, once a consensus is arrived at. Thus, I would like to believe that my leadership style is all-inclusive, with all stakeholders appropriately empowered towards decision making. Leading by example and being on equal footings with all members is another key feature of my approach, allowing for critical appraisal & feedback to & from all.

How do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your college?

“Social media and digital platform to create awareness about the institute”

  • We focus on the quality of education being imparted and learning acquired by our students which is our prime objective. 
  • The key programs, marketing, and administration are ensured to remain in sync and provide for an inclusive & free environment. 
  • It is understood and appreciated that in this era of media & technology, our qualitative presence amongst the seekers is continuously ensured, through our media cell majorly contributed towards by our students.

The education systems in India and other foreign countries are structured very differently. In your experience, what can an inbound student gain from studying here at your university?

“The exploration of international studies and culture for better overall development”

It is a fact that education systems in India are structured differently compared to those in developed nations, however, it will be naive on our part to assume that there is no good about our systems. Further, the curriculum of architecture at our institute provides for 25% freedom, to accommodate what we find as relevant and contextual. We provide our students with additional courses, in tune with the market and industry needs, making our students market & industry-ready. We also focus on augmenting soft skills, value systems, and teamwork capabilities in our students, through our unique teaching-learning pedagogy.

Check Aayojan School of Architecture Courses & Fees

How does the curriculum of your college ensure the best practice of the industry? 

“Association with several industries for activity-based learning and internship experience”

The compulsory internship of 140 days in semester 8th further helps this aspect. Students are exposed to the best market & industry practices from the beginning, by allowing them for market surveys, site visits, and presentations by manufacturing companies. Students routinely interact and are taught by successful practitioners from the industry, bringing in the flavor of real-life experiences to the classrooms. MOUs with associations such as IIA, IIID, INTACH, IPA, IGBC, etc. allows for access to a variety of programs & activities organized by various sectors of the industry.

Any insights into how your university could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

“We do our best to create unity among the students at our institute”

Our institution may become more welcoming if we are provided with a little more freedom as regards norms for the fee to be charged and also about the governance systems. As of now, we are constrained in offering scholarships only to those fulfilling financial and academic criteria simultaneously. However, a variety of backgrounds need a variety also in the affirmative incentives to be provided, systems as of now do not permit that.

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

“The proper and smooth management to enhance the capabilities of the efficient working of the institute”

I somehow have a unique relationship with my institutions, being part of the active management systems, as a member of their management bodies. Further, I am slowly reaching a stage in my life - wherein - these institutions become the only remaining professional objectives of my life. Thus my primary role and responsibility will be to mentor these institutions and allow them the possibilities to serve the cause of the society and its enrolled students to posterity.

What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“To attain excellence through academic autonomy for leading the institute for global recognition”

The NEP apparently would be the game changer and we realize that a boutique institution like ours will need to adapt. However, our Vision Statement stipulates that the institution will diversify to become multi and interdisciplinary. It will grow to attain a symbiotic synergy amongst various fields of Design. It further intends to attain academic autonomy eventually leading to the status of a Deemed University. The indicated coupled with active incorporation and tie ups for global best practices in field of education will see our students becoming market leaders with international approach.

Click Aayojan School of Architecture Placement

When you first came to college, what was your vision for the university? Has it evolved, and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

“The dynamic and perpetual state of evolution in education for qualitative growth and proud achievements”

Though, for any institution, the Vision is kind of an umbrella under which one tends to work and aspires for. For me, to a certain level, vision does remain dynamic and needs calibration. This calibration - according to me - is required after every two cycles of duration of the programme, in our case, it is thus decade. We believe that we have been keeping the timeline of our vision and have now arrived at a stage, having consolidated ourselves with defined commitments to our value systems and a brand. It may now allow us to take a quantum leap for & into the future, to justify our existence and objectives of aspiring for a holistic Design institution.

What do you see as the college’s greatest strengths?

“To work hard for providing the very best to our students for their holistic growth”

We remain committed to a holistic approach to fulfill our pedagogical needs, by providing for all that may be required, in terms of tangible and intangible infrastructure. However, undoubtedly, our committed and loyal human resource in form of faculty and students remains to be our greatest strengths. Thereafter, it has to be our alumni, actively contributing to fulfilling the objectives of the institution.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for your university specifically, in these tough times?

“The current and ongoing tough times are most certainly unprecedented - world over!!”

 All have tried to adapt to best suit the challenges the times have thrown at us. However, I believe, we have not been very creative in our approaches and did not explore fully to prepare ourselves for the eventualities. Five months into these tough times and we realize that there are several possibilities that could be further explored - using the online mechanisms and technology, to upgrade our systems even during the times of normalcy.

Click here Aayojan School of Architecture Faculty