| Ar. Tarek Morad |

Stepping into 10^th year of maneuver with success Department of Architecture, AIUB organized an event entitled “AIUB Architecture Week 2016- Celebrating 10 years of Architecture at AIUB” from 4-7 January, 2016. The occasion was to rejoice the sublime decade as an architectural school in Bangladesh but the subliminal notion was to share the pride and triumph of the department.  The main attraction of the event was the presence of renowned author and Professor Emeritus, Francis D. K. Ching, of University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA who is the cult figure in the architecture education in Bangladesh. This was also Professor Ching’s first visit to Bangladesh. The four day event comprised of International Student Design Competition, Lectures and Workshops by international and local experts, Student Work Exhibition, Publications, Cultural programs etc.

A month before the main event, Department of Architecture, AIUB in association with Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) commenced an International Student Design Competition. The competition addressed the theme of “Pavilion for Bangladesh at EXPO 2020 DUBAI, UAE”. More than 30 participants submitted their creative ideas and designs for Bangladesh Pavilion. A distinguish jury panel consisted of Professor Francis D. K. Ching, Professor Dr. M. Saleh Uddin, Ar. Mustapha Khalid Palash, Ar. Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad and Ar. M. Arefeen Ibrahim selected three winners and one honorable mention from the submitted designs.

On the first day of the celebration, January 4^th, 2016, an inauguration ceremony and a festive rally were organized by the department faculties and students. RAJUK chairman GM Jainal Abedin Bhuiyan, AIUB Vice Chancellor Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, IAB president Ar. Abu Sayeed M. Ahmed and AIUB officials were present at the event. On the same day, a workshop, “MOVING ENTOURAGE IN ARCHITECTURAL ANIMATION” instructed by Professor Dr. Saleh Uddin took place in Department premise. Professionals and students from different universities attended the workshop.

The main Celebration Ceremony took place at IAB Center, Agargaon on 5^thof January, 2016, where the   main attraction was the lecture by Professor Francis D. K. Ching. Honorable Science and Technology Minister of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, Yeafesh Osman inaugurated the ceremony. More than 600 guests, comprising of Architecture students, alumni and faculties from AIUB and other universities, Architects and other related professionals of the country attended this event which made it more purposeful. ‘Seeing, Thinking, Drawing’ was an eclectic speech from Professor Ching regarding drawing skills and methods.His valuable speech and the affluence of his experienced words certainly enhanced the joy of the ceremony and also encouraged the students and the guests as well. The Celebration Ceremony also included several other events like, Launching of Steps 3: a student work publication of Architecture, AIUB, Result announcement and award giving of International Student Design Competition ‘Pavilion for Bangladesh at EXPO 2020 Dubai’, Launching of event souvenir booklet, Exhibition of the shortlisted entry of the competition and a unique Cultural program, and the Grand dinner.

As part of the celebration program, a workshop ‘Drawing Dhaka’was conducted by Professor Francis D.K. Ching on the next day January 6, 2016, at National Assembly Building, Dhaka. This interactive and hand to hand workshop gave the participants a perception about what to “observe” while “seeing” something and how to interpret those observations in sketch book. Participants, who included students, faculties and professionals got the rare chance to draw and express their ideas behind the drawings to the pioneer D.K. Ching himself.

Moreover, at the afternoon of the same day, a lecture series took place at AIUB auditorium. Founder Head and Advisor of the department of Architecture, AIUB, Professor Dr. Saleh Uddin and renowned Architect Mustapha Khalid Palash gave lectures on Architecture education and current practice in the field of Architecture in Bangladesh. Students from Department of Architecture, AIUB asked questions about global and local scenario of Architecture regarding economy, culture and social aspects. Professor Francis D. K. Ching, Chief Architect of Government of Bangladesh Ar. Kazi Golam Nasir, Head of the Department, Architecture, AIUB Ar. M. Arefeen Ibrahim were also present in the occasion.

“The reason for arranging this eventful program is to give confidence to the students so that they could go further, dream big, and be the part of socially responsible, culturally sensible Architecture community”-says M. Arefeen Ibrahim, Head, Department of Architecture, AIUB.