Chandigarh University Hosts 4th International Summer School 2026, International Faculty, Students Converge for Academic Exchange; Deliberate on Future of Architecture
Chandigarh University Hosts 4th International Summer School 2026, International Faculty, Students Converge for Academic Exchange; Deliberate on Future of Architecture
Bringing
together diverse international perspectives on urban planning and architecture,
the 4th International Summer School 2026 themed ‘Reimagining Chandigarh’s Neighborhood’
was held at Chandigarh University with 50 students and faculty members from
Slovakia, Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh and South Africa participating in the
10-day-long international academic exchange programme.
The
international gathering will engage participants in exploring how
neighbourhoods can be made more inclusive, resilient, sustainable and
responsive to communities, drawing insights from Chandigarh’s distinctive urban
form, heritage and public spaces. Organised by the University Institute of
Architecture, Chandigarh University in collaboration with the Office of
International Affairs and International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
India, the Summer School provided participants with an immersive, field-based
learning experience combining urban exploration, architectural analysis,
community interaction and collaborative research.
The
inaugural session was graced by Erick Jean Marie Zinsou, Ambassador of the
Republic of Benin, Embassy of Benin, New Delhi as the Chief Guest.
Distinguished Guests of Honour at the inaugural programme included Prof (Dr)
June Jordaan, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa, Prof. Ma
Regina P. Falconite, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Philippines,
Priyanka Sagar, GIS Specialist, Founder, Arcotec Design Studio, Senthilkumar P,
Architect & Urban Planner, Chandigarh University, Dr Ashita Chadda,
Executive Director, Liberal Arts & Humanities and Dr. Rajan Sharma,
Executive Director, Department of International Affairs among other dignitaries.
The
10-day programme was designed to move beyond conventional classroom learning,
engaging participants directly with Chandigarh’s urban fabric through field
mapping, walkability analysis, density and land-use studies, space syntax
analysis, heritage and public realm documentation, community engagement and
interaction, and thermal comfort strategies in urban spaces. The participants
examined how neighbourhoods can be planned and transformed to become more
inclusive, resilient, sustainable and responsive to community needs. The
programme also provided international participants an opportunity to understand
Chandigarh as a living laboratory of modern urban planning while bringing
diverse global perspectives to the city’s neighbourhood scale challenges.