Reflections on the 67th Year Zonal Council Meet, Zone 36th – 7th April 2024 | Symbiosis School of Architecture, Urban Development and Planning, Pune

The 67th Year Zonal Council Meet (ZCM) for Zone 3 was held at the Symbiosis School of Architecture, Urban Development and Planning (SSAUDP), Pune, from 6th April to 7th April 2024.

Upon arrival, delegates were welcomed with ID cards and food coupons, while a refundable caution deposit of INR 500 per person ensured smooth logistics. After settling into accommodation, the meet officially commenced on the morning of 6th April with an inaugural ceremony led by Dr. Gauri Shiurkar, Director of SSAUDP, along with Evanthika Pereira (National President), Chembian B (National Vice President), Rahul Mange (Zonal President, Zone 3), and the host college faculty.

Initial Sessions and Orientation

The first session invited Unit Designees into a question–answer format to understand their grasp of NASA India. Discussions traced the organization’s origins, including its seven founding colleges, and culminated in a reflective exercise: “What is NASA India to you?” This prompted participants to think deeply about their personal connection to the council.

The second session highlighted scholarship opportunities, including the NASA India Scholarship Fund (NISF), NASA India Thesis Grant (NITG), and the B.V. Doshi Memorial Scholarship. This was followed by a briefing on the bodies of NASA India, the official logo specifications, and the NASA website. A panel discussion between member colleges and observer colleges further sparked conversations on rights, responsibilities, and the scope for extending more opportunities to observer institutions.

Zonal Agendas and Trophies

During the afternoon, unit councils came together to brainstorm agendas for the 67th year, ranging from zonal events to chapter-level initiatives. Each unit then presented its own agenda, strengthening the collective outlook of the zone. Participation in trophies was discussed at length, with special focus on the Writing Architecture Trophy (WAT) and the challenges posed by the increasing use of AI. This encouraged units to consider strategies for ensuring originality and integrity in submissions.

The fourth session, held after dinner, shifted towards professionalism in communication. The importance of formal email writing was stressed, and as part of an activity, all Unit Secretaries and Designees drafted mails to the Zonal President. The exercise underlined how clear communication can strengthen coordination across units.

The Second Day of Deliberations

On 7th April, the fifth session began with the council addressing Zone 3’s limited involvement in the First General Body Meeting (FGBM). Members were urged to participate more actively in the future, contributing questions and discussions at a national level. Attention then turned to the 67th year theme, “Exclaim.” Units shared their interpretations of the theme, reflecting on how it could guide their events and initiatives over the year.

An engaging highlight came with the arrival of Eric Alan (64th Year Zonal President of Zone 6). Their session was filled with insights drawn from personal experiences within the council and committees. They addressed numerous questions from units, offering mentorship and encouragement to those aspiring for leadership roles.

The final session tackled challenges within architectural education and their implications for NASA India. Key concerns included the decline in student admissions, shortage of qualified faculty, closure of certain colleges, and the need to improve overall quality of education. These candid discussions reflected a collective awareness that NASA’s strength is tied to the health of the larger architectural fraternity.

Conclusion and Reflections

The ZCM concluded with group photographs and informal networking, leaving participants with a sense of unity and direction. For Unit Z310, the meet was a moment of pride and inspiration.

Beyond the logistics and sessions, the 67th Year ZCM was a powerful platform for reflection, collaboration, and vision-building. It deepened participants’ understanding of NASA India, empowered units to align their goals with the zonal agenda, and strengthened bonds across colleges.