Kigali, Rwanda – October 02, 2024: The Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) proudly announced 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 attracted over 300 international delegates to explore the theme, “Education, Policy, and Practice: Advancing Sustainable Urbanisation in the Commonwealth.”
During the Gala Dinner, IAP celebrated the achievements of 16 Pakistani architecture students. Notably, Waleed Ashfaque (COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore), Noman Awan, and Nihal Ahmed received regional awards, while 13 students earned commendation awards. These successes were guided by mentor Kalim A. Siddiqui, the immediate past president of CAA.
Renowned Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari was honored with the CAA Robert Mathew Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contributions to architecture. The jury, chaired by Dr. Sajida Haider Vandal, commended her work in elevating Pakistan’s global architectural profile.
The event also saw IAP’s leadership strengthened, with Maira Khan elected as Vice President for the Asia Region and Umar Saeed appointed Chair of the Education Committee.
The three-day symposium featured a rich agenda of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and exhibitions. The opening day included addresses by Dr. Jack Ngarambe, Director General of Urbanisation, and keynote speakers Felix Okoboi and Mark Olweny, who shared insights on urban sustainability and innovative architecture. Day two focused on architectural education, culminating in elections and the Gala Dinner. The final day featured sessions on climate resilience, vertical farming, and educational frameworks, concluding with an exhibition review and reception.
Key takeaways from the symposium included:
- Architectural Education: A push to modernize curricula to address environmental, ethical, and socio-economic challenges.
- Sustainability: Encouragement for resource-efficient and innovative architectural practices.
- Scalability and Technology: Focus on scalable urban and rural development, integrating advanced technologies.
IAP is dedicated to applying these insights to promote sustainable urbanization and enhance architectural education in Pakistan and across the Commonwealth, shaping future policies and practices for a more sustainable built environment.