Testimony of Competence

We were discussing about the architectural programme the other day. What we had agreed since the inception of the BSc in Arch course for University of Malaya, was that at the end of 3rd year, the students intending to graduate would need to produce work both visually and verbally as a testimony to their competence.

What does that mean?

For sure, the quality of work needs to be there. So who judges the quality?

We need to look at the bodies that accreditated our architectural programme, both the Part 1 and Part 2. Let's look at the RIBA website.

Quoted from the website:

"Society looks to architects to define new ways of living and working, to develop innovative ways of using existing buildings and creating new ones. We need architects(with) understanding of the complex process of design and construction to build socially and ecologically sustainable cities and communities. Architects can be extremely influential as well as being admired for their imagination and creative skills. " (Link source)

The core skill of a future architect is to develop as a designer. The architect does not work alone, hence other skills are needed, such as how to manage his / her design team, the other consultants, work with the client, work with the local authorities and work with people in the communities.

Further quote from the RIBA website:

"The skills that architects possess are relevant to all aspects of the built environment, from constructing new buildings to conserving old ones. The range of work they are required to undertake is so varied that each architect could give you a completely different description of what they do. The one thing that is constant in architectural work is that it is concerned with people. "

There are a set of core skills, where becoming a designer is crucial. Learning how to draw and create presentations to express your ideas is the most important skill. Learning how to verbally present is equally essential. Knowing how to manage the project and deliver on time shows how professional and competent you are.

The BSc Arch course at University of Malaya is the "foundation" course of being a future architect. A graduate would at the very minimum shows he or she have mastered the core skills, and would be viable to pursue further in the B Arch course, be employed as a desiner or enter into specialization courses to learn in depth more advanced learning in architecture or related subjects in planning, management and advanced architectural design subjects such as urban design and conservation.