First Year Study Tour Exhibition

Aim:
To provide students with a platform to express their creativity, fostering their artistic growth and innovation.

Objectives:

• To offer Students a public platform to showcase their talents and show their learning experiences.
• To expose students to group dynamics, promoting teamwork and collaboration.
• To enhance student’s communication and presentation skills through practical experience
• To cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through interactive exhibits

Introduction:

Education and teaching play a vital role in shaping beliefs, habits, and knowledge. An exhibition, in this context, serves as a platform to showcase students’ learning and experiences. The First Year B.Arch. students of Pillai College of Architecture, New Panvel, embarked on a study tour to Auroville, Pondicherry, on January 8, 2025, accompanied by their faculty team. A total of 61 students participated in this enriching academic journey.

Following their educational excursion, the First Year B.Arch. students presented the Auroville Pondicherry Study Tour Exhibition on January 24, 2025. The event was organized under the guidance of the class in-charge, Prof. Ashwini Bhosale, along with her team members, Prof. Jayesh Patil and Prof. Sayalee Kulkarni. The exhibition aimed to provide students with a platform to showcase their knowledge, creativity, investigative skills, and talent. It not only boosted their confidence through appreciation of their creative efforts but also emphasized the identification, display, and interpretation of collective learnings.

Inauguration and Guests of Honor:
The exhibition commenced at 10:30 a.m. and concluded at 4:00 P.M., with parents, faculty and students in attendance.

The inauguration was conducted by:

• Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar, Principal of PiCA
• Dr. Sandeep Murlidhar Joshi, Principal, PCE (Mechanical Engineering)
• Dr. Gajanan Wader, Principal of PCACS

The class representatives, Mrunal Kharat and Pradipta Bhuyan, extended invitations to dignitaries, including Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, Founder & Chairman of Pillai Group, Dr. Priam V. Pillai, COO, MES Pillai Groups, Dr. Franav Pillai, Director & Trustee, MES Pillai Groups.

Other esteemed dignitaries from Pillai institutions, including:

• Dr. R. Chandran, Director, PIMSR
• Dr. Betty Sybil, Faculty, PIMSR
• Prof. Deepika Sharma, Vice Principal, PCACS
• Dr. Avinash Vaidya, HOD, E&TC Engineering
• Dr. Biswajit Panda, Faculty, E&TC Engineering
• Dr. Celina Joy, Academic Coordinator, PILLAI/FIFA/CIES Programme

The presence of these distinguished guests and parents added prestige to the event.

Official circulars and posters were circulated in all official groups and on the social media page of PiCA.

Creating a lasting first impression is vital for any endeavor, as the saying goes, “Your first impression is the lasting impression.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony, a symbol of new beginnings, offered an opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to the students whose dedication and hard work ensured the success of the event.

The inauguration of the exhibition was conducted by the esteemed Principal of Pillai College of Architecture (PiCA), Prof. Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar, alongside Dr. Gajanan Wader, Principal of PCACS.

The event commenced with a warm welcome by Mrunal Kharat and Pradipta Bhuyan, F.Y. B.Arch. class representatives and hosts of the program. They greeted all the dignitaries, including:

• Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar, Principal, PiCA
• Dr. Sandeep Murlidhar Joshi, Principal, PCE
• Dr. Gajanan P. Wader, Principal, PCACS
• Dr. R. Chandran, Principal, PIMSR
• Dr. Betty Sybil
• Prof. Deepika Sharma
• Dr. Avinash Vaidya
• Dr. Celina Joy
• Faculty members of PiCA
• Non-teaching staff, including maushis and peons of PiCA

The Hosts also acknowledged and appreciated the collective efforts of all contributors who made the event possible

Following the formal welcome, the audience was captivated by a short film on the Auroville–Pondicherry study tour. The film was created by First-Year social media students under the guidance of the Social Media Senate Team and faculty head Prof. Abhilasha Singh.

The exhibition featured an array of outstanding works by the students, including sheets, models, paintings, and suspended photo frames. These exhibits reflected the students’ documentation and creative interpretations of their experiences during the study tour.

Key highlights included:

• French Colony Walk, Pondicherry
• Auroville: Guided Structural Tour and Matrimandir View
• Auroville: Full-day Hands-on Workshop on Natural Buildings
• Sri Aurobindo Ashram
• Mahabalipuram: Guided Structure and Temple Tour
• Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum

The Principals of various departments, along with faculty members and senior students, personally interacted with the participants, providing encouraging feedback and praise for their creativity and efforts. The exhibition successfully showcased the students’ talents and their ability to blend learning with artistic expression, earning admiration from all attendees.

Dr. Priam V. Pillai, Dr. Franav Pillai and Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar engaging with the students, fostering meaningful interactions and encouraging insightful discussions

Exhibition Preparations: Students and Faculty Team in Action, Capturing Moments Leading Up to the Big Day

The Auroville – Pondicherry Study Tour Exhibition (A.Y. 2024-2025) was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of experiential learning and teamwork in architectural education. It provided students with a platform to showcase their creativity, documentation skills, and group efforts. The event truly celebrated the spirit of exploration, learning, and innovation, marking a memorable milestone in their academic journey.

Faculty Team: Prof. Jayesh Patil, Prof. Ashwini Bhosale & Prof. Sayalee Kulkarni