Katra, April 11: Pradnya Pradeep Jogdand, a final-year Bachelor of Architecture student at the School of Architecture and Landscape Design (SoALD), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), has earned admission offers from five renowned universities in the United States for postgraduate studies in architecture.
A statement issued here said that the institutions that extended offers to Pradnya include the University of Texas at Austin (M.Arch in Advanced Architectural Design), University of California, Los Angeles (MS in Architecture and Urban Design), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Master of Urban Design), Columbia University in New York (MS in Urban Planning) and University of Southern California (M.Arch First-Professional Degree Programme). After careful consideration, Pradnya has chosen to pursue her studies at the University of Texas at Austin, citing the university’s emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong culture of research as decisive factors. “I was particularly drawn to the university’s strong culture of original research, creative inquiry and intellectual leadership,” she said. “I believe this environment will empower me to address both contemporary and future challenges in architecture and urban design.” Established in 1910, the University of Texas at Austin is internationally recognised for its research-led academic programmes and excellence in architectural education. Pradnya expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her mentor, Ar. Vinod Kumar, Assistant Professor at SoALD, for his unwavering support and guidance throughout her undergraduate journey. In an email, she wrote: “Your guidance played a crucial role in shaping my interests and preparing me for this next chapter. I deeply value everything I’ve learned under your mentorship.”
During her time at SMVDU, Pradnya completed a dissertation titled Morphogenic Membranes in Parametric Architecture under the mentorship of Ar. Kumar. She also presented a research paper, Revisiting Sacred Geometry: The Dialogue between Parametric and Religious Architecture, at an international conference hosted by NIT Patna. The paper was later co-authored and published in a peer-reviewed journal, underlining her dedication to academic research at the undergraduate level.
Her stellar academic performance, research aptitude and passion for architecture played a vital role in her securing offers from globally acclaimed institutions. Pradnya also extended her appreciation to the entire faculty of SoALD for their consistent encouragement and support over the years. The Vice-Chancellor of SMVDU, Prof. Pragati Kumar, Head of SoALD Ar. Abhiney Gupta, and other faculty members congratulated Pradnya on her remarkable achievement and wished her continued success in her academic and professional journey.