Utpal Kumar

About

• Prof. Utpal Sharma, Dean and Director at the Institute of Architecture and Planning at Nirma University is spearheading the institution since its inception in 2014. He has over 30 years of experience both as an Academician and Professional in the field of Architecture and Planning. He studied Architecture from IIT Roorkee, Urban and Regional Planning from CEPT and did further specialized in Minimum Cost Housing from McGill University, Canada. He has received an Honorary Doctorate from Sorbon University, France in 2018. Prior to joining Nirma University in 2014, he was the Dean at the Faculty of Planning in CEPT University. Prior to his association with academics, he worked with renowned architect B.V. Doshi at Vastu Shilpa Foundation, Ahmedabad for more than a decade. Prof. Sharma has worked extensively across India and other Asian countries on various prestigious urban projects that involve preparation of Master Plans, Regional Plans, Zonal Plans, Housing Policy formulation and Urban Design guidelines. He has received many prestigious awards including HUDCO Design Award and Prime Minister?s Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and Design. He was the past President of Asian Planning School Association (APSA) from 2009 to 2011. He served as an expert member to the Government of India on Affordable Housing Policy in 2011. He has numerous lectures and papers to his credit which are presented across various reputed forums all over the world. Under his leadership the Institute has scaled new heights in academic excellence in a short span of time. He has set up numerous collaboration with foreign universities and other Indian institutions for joint research and student exchange programmes which is benefiting the academic fraternity of the growing Institute.