Local board okays Aussie architecture course

THE University of Tasmania’s architecture programme has become one of only three in Australia to be accredited by the Board of Architects Malaysia, better known by its Malay acronym LAM.

The valid ation means the university’s architecture graduates are eligible to register as a Graduate Architect with LAM without having to pass a further rigorous examination process.

Head of School of Architecture and Design Prof Kirsten Orr (pic) said the accred itation was an endorsement of the quality of the university’s architecture programme.

“I am delighted with this outcome and we look forward to continuing to prod uce many more highly skilled architecture graduates in the future.

“The accreditation process was intensive and exhaustive and it revealed the strength of our programme, the excellence of our staff and the quality of the work produced by our students,” she said .

Previously, all architecture programmes in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom were automatically recognised by LAM. Butas of Jan 1,2017, only programmes that have been visited , validated and recognised by LAM can be accredit-ed .

The University of Tasmania programme is one of three in Australia, and only 12 internationally, to be accredited .

“Malaysia has traditionally made up a large part of our international student cohort and we have a strong network of alumni that that covers the whole country,” said Prof Orr.

“We’re proud of our grad uates’ achievements, including Mohamad Nor Masyerin and Alan Teh who recently featured in a monograph “30 Emerging Architects Und er 40” published by the Malaysian Institute of Architects.”

The varsity’s architecture programme consists of the threeyear Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments (formerly Bachelor of Environmental Design) followed by the Master of Architecture, which is for two years.

Grad uate architects must complete a significant period of practical experience in the ind ustry before they are eligible to sit for the examination process to become registered architects.

The visiting accreditation panel was chaired by LAM president Datuk Seri Dr Amir Hamza Mohamad Yunus, who spoke highly of the university’s teaching of build ing technology and the integration of research and d esign atthe Masters level.