The inauguration marked a key part of the national event, titled the CoA National Awards for Excellence 2026, with the jury proceedings and award ceremony scheduled for 9 October 2026.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Ar. Naveen Kanithi, Vice President, CoA; Shri Deepak Kumar, Registrar, CoA; Ar. Jayashree Deshpande, Director, CoA-TRC and Convenor; and Ar. Bhavna Vimawala, Member, CoA.
Representing Manipal University Jaipur were Cdr. (Dr) Anil Rana, Pro President, MUJ; Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, MUJ; Prof. (Dr) Kuldip Singh Sangwan, Dean, FoSTA; Prof. (Dr) Madhura Yadav, Dean, DSW; and Dr. Pooja Lalit Kumar, Director, School of Architecture & Design. Faculty members and 220 student participants from MUJ and architecture institutions across India also attended the event.
Dr. Pooja Lalit Kumar welcomed the dignitaries and acknowledged the efforts of the school's students and faculty members in organising the national event. She said the world-class infrastructure and academic environment at Manipal University Jaipur provide an ideal setting for an event of national stature, giving participating students an opportunity to showcase their work and explore their creative and academic potential.
Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Pro-President, Manipal University Jaipur, delivered the presidential address, highlighting the university's achievements in research, academic excellence, global footprint, rankings and accreditations. He appreciated the efforts of the School of Architecture & Design and thanked the Council of Architecture for selecting Manipal University Jaipur to host the national event.
The exhibition brings together a diverse range of architectural ideas, showcasing innovative design thinking, contextual sensitivity, sustainability and contemporary approaches to the built environment. It offers young architects a platform to present their academic explorations, exchange ideas and interact with distinguished professionals and academicians.
The event also draws attention to the evolving role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in architectural education. Alongside these developments, it emphasises the continued importance of critical thinking, creativity, contextual understanding and empathy in the design process.
Reaffirming the School of Architecture & Design's vision of being “locally invested but globally relevant”, the event highlights the importance of preparing future architects who remain rooted in their cultural and environmental contexts while developing the capacity to address emerging global challenges.
The School of Architecture & Design also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. N. N. Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur, for his valuable support and encouragement in making the event possible.
Separately, a press conference related to the event was held at The Lalit Jaipur under the chairmanship of the Council of Architecture. The conference was attended by the President CoA, the Executive committee Council of Architecture, and the convenors and coordinators of the event from CoA and Manipal University Jaipur.
Prof (Ar) Kiran S Mahajani addressed the press briefing, explaining the process of the CoA awards, including selection and evaluation. He also emphasised the need to create platforms that promote the efficiency of the built environment at the grass-root level, with attention to rural areas alongside urban centres.
The jury proceedings and Award Ceremony will take place on 9 October 2026, concluding the two-day event and recognising outstanding student achievements in architectural education. Through its exhibition, jury process and professional discussions, the event brings student work, emerging technologies and broader questions about the built environment into a national platform for architectural education.
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