What does it mean to be an architect in today’s India a designer of spaces, or also an innovator and entrepreneur? This was the central question explored at the Entrepreneurship Awareness Program (EAP) hosted by the Institute of Architecture & Planning, Nirma University (IAPNU) on Tuesday, under the Council of Architecture (COA), Program Convener Prof. Jayashree Deshpande–MSME collaborative initiative. Themed “Exploring Horizons: Avenues after Graduation in Architecture,” the one-day event on Sep 23, 2025 brought together leading voices from academia, practice, and entrepreneurship to engage with the idea of architecture as more than a conventional profession. The program opened with a formal inauguration in the C-Block Auditorium at IAPNU. In his keynote address, Dr Anup Singh, Director General, Nirma University, explained the importance of fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among young architects. “The MSME ecosystem offers a robust platform for creative professionals. With the right innovation and support, architects can become changemakers in housing, sustainable materials, and urban solutions,” . The Joint Commissioner of Industries, Shri R. D. Barhatt, joined online and explained the MSME schemes useful for architects under the state and central government. The participants were overwhelmed to hear from the state Authority. Prof. Dr Chandran Rekha Jetty, Program Coordinator, added: “The COA–MSME collaboration is a milestone in linking architectural education to national economic priorities. By equipping our students with entrepreneurial tools, we are preparing them for careers that are both creative and impactful.” The event reflected a growing recognition that architecture in India cannot remain confined to drafting boards and construction sites. As the country urbanises rapidly and faces pressing ecological challenges, architects must engage with innovation ecosystems from design cell development and cluster development programs under MSME to heritage-to-enterprise models that connect traditional crafts with modern markets. Prof. Pooja Raval, Co-coordinator of the event, added: The living traditions and arts & crafts domain in India is an enriching avenue for architects to provide livelihood to communities and collaborate with them to provide infrastructure to the nation. Dr Mehul Naik and Ms Rashmika Shah from Nirma Incubation Centre joined the event as Guests. They explained to the students the benefits of innovation and how Nirma, as a nodal centre, can help them generate a startup of their own, as architecture is a professional field.
