Ashok Ganapathy Iyer

About

Experienced architectural academician and Fellow - Chartered Architectural Technologist (FCIAT) with a demonstrated history of working in university and higher education industry, Dr. Ashok is currently working as Associate Professor at School of Engineering, Architecture and Interior Design, Amity University Dubai since November 2022. His academic and research focus include learning and teaching-based pedagogical research in architectural and design education, intercultural communication, documentation, urban and conservation studies; and curriculum development leading to international accreditation. He has a strong education and professional background with a Doctorate in architecture (pedagogical research in students' approaches to learning pertaining to architectural education) from the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom. An architect by profession, he has pursued his architectural studies at Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai; India (M. Arch, 2004) and Pillais’ College of Architecture, Navi Mumbai; India (B. Arch, 1997); in addition to a Diploma in Indian Aesthetics (2001) from the Department of Philosophy, University of Mumbai. Dr. Ashok was the first Chairperson and Professor at School of Design and Architecture (SoDA), MAHE – Dubai, (August 2004- November 2022) where he established interior design and architecture programs with earlier academic stints at Sir J.J. College (2002-04) and Rizvi College of Architecture (1999-2002), Mumbai; India. He has played a key role in the implementation of outcome-based-education (OBE) in curricular design, international accreditation and assessment for the programs at SoDA, MAHE - Dubai including CIAT - UK and CoA, New Delhi, India. Other research interests include urban studies and historic architectural developments through ongoing collaboration (2013 till-date) with the Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA), Government of Sharjah, UAE focusing on museum typology and its correlation as cultural denominators with reference to the urbanity of this region. Dr. Ashok received the golden visa for creatives (Nov. 2022) through the recommendation letter given by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth for the SMA research collaboration that includes three exhibitions at Al Mahatta Museum, Sharjah in addition to research and book publications. His other area of interests include issues of sustainability in contemporary architecture, fine arts, and critical theory. His hobbies include philately & numismatics; fountain pens & sketching; books; gardening, caricature and aquascape. Key Role & Interests: - Head of Academics - Certification Programs MAHE & MEE Dubai (April 2021-Nov 2022) - Academic Administration - Curriculum Development - Chairing Various Committee's reporting to University Senate, Governing Council & Industry Advisory Board - Revenue Planning & Budget - International & Indian Accreditation - International Collaboration - Research Development & Consultancy - Teaching post-graduate & under-graduate coursework (Research Techniques - Architecture & Design Dissertation - Urban Design Studio)