SMVDU gold medallist wins admission to five top German universities

Jammu, Aug 12:  In a rare academic feat, Debjyoti Mukhopadhyay, a recent graduate from the School of Architecture and Landscape Design (SoALD) at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), has received admission offers from five leading public universities in Germany for postgraduate studies.As per a statement issued here, the offers came from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Brandenburg University of Technology, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe, and the Detmold School of Design. After careful consideration, Debjyoti chose the highly selective M.Eng. in Integrated Design at the Detmold School of Design, TH OWL — a programme that admits only around 25 international students annually. A University Gold Medallist (B.Arch, 2019–2024), Debjyoti scored 90 out of 100 in the rigorous international selection process, securing a scholarship in recognition of his academic excellence. His portfolio reflected a strong focus on sustainability and social responsiveness, key qualities that impressed the selection panel.His undergraduate thesis–“Nature-Nurtured Excellence: The Biophilic Super Specialty Hospital,” won the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) Best Undergraduate Thesis Award 2024–2025, highlighting his expertise in sustainable and socially responsible design. Debjyoti credited his success to his mentor and thesis guide, Ar. Abhiney Gupta, along with faculty members Ar. Navin Gupta, Ar. Anoop Sharma, Ar. Vinod Kumar, Ar. Abhimanyu Sharma, and Dr. Sourovee Dutta. Vice Chancellor Prof. Pragati Kumar, Head of SoALD Ar. Abhiney Gupta and faculty congratulated him, calling his success “a proud moment for SMVDU and an inspiration for future architecture students.”