The 43rd Convocation of the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, was held at Bharat Mandapam on Sunday. Addressing the graduating students, Union Minister of State for Education and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, highlighted the pivotal role of architects and planners in India’s developmental journey.
Emphasising the need for forward-looking thinking, Shri Chaudhary remarked, “Artificial Intelligence will not replace architects; it will replace limited thinking.” He encouraged students to integrate creativity, ethics and technological advancement while contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Director, SPA New Delhi, Prof. Virendra Kumar Paul, informed that a total of 373 students graduated this year, including 119 undergraduate, 223 postgraduate, and 31 PhD scholars. He also announced that 20 students were awarded gold medals in recognition of outstanding academic performance.
The Convocation was presided over by Prof. Ar. Habeeb Khan, Chairperson. Shri Anand Kumar (IAS, Retd.), Chairman, RERA, and Prof. Avinash Chandra Pandey, Director, Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), were present as Guests of Honour, along with distinguished representatives from academia, government and industry.
The ceremony marked an important milestone for the graduating students as they step forward to contribute to nation-building through architecture, planning and design.
