The Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) proudly announces the successful conclusion of the 2024 Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) Symposium and General Assembly, held from August 21 to 23 in Kigali, Rwanda. Hosted by the Rwanda Institute of Architects, the event welcomed over 300 global delegates to discuss “Education, Policy, and Practice: Advancing the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation in the Commonwealth.”
At the Gala Dinner, IAP celebrated the achievements of 16 Pakistani architecture students. Among them, Waleed Ashfaque, Noman Awan, and Nihal Ahmed were honored with regional awards, while 13 others received commendations. These successes were guided by mentor Mr. Kalim A. Siddiqui, the immediate past president of CAA.
A highlight of the event was the prestigious CAA Robert Mathew Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Pakistan’s acclaimed architect Yasmeen Lari for her lifetime contributions. The jury, led by Dr. Sajida Haider Vandal, recognized her efforts in elevating Pakistan’s global architectural standing.
Additionally, IAP celebrated leadership wins, with Maira Khan elected as Vice President for the Asia Region and Umar Saeed appointed as Chair of the Education Committee.
The three-day symposium featured engaging keynotes, discussions, and exhibitions. Day one included addresses by Dr. Jack Ngarambe, Director General of Urbanisation, and keynotes from Felix Okoboi and Mark Olweny on urban sustainability and innovation. Day two emphasized architectural education with a panel on “Future Competencies for Praxis” and culminated in elections and awards. The final day focused on climate resilience, vertical farming, and educational frameworks.
Key takeaways from the symposium include:
- Architectural Education: A push to update curricula addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
- Sustainability: Promoting resource-efficient architectural solutions.
- Scalability and Technology: Focus on scalable urban and rural development through technological integration.
The Institute of Architects Pakistan is committed to applying these insights to promote sustainable urbanization and enhance architectural education, influencing future policies and practices across Pakistan and the Commonwealth.
