Architecture in Singapore has never been so exciting…
It goes without saying that this is a huge honour for IE University, as Singapore itself has only two architecture schools: the National University of Singapore and Singapore University of Technology and Design. Furthermore, the city-state takes architecture very seriously, allowing only those with both academic and professional accreditation to practice independently.
Architecture in Singapore is centred mainly around promoting sustainability and making the most of spaces to decrease any negative effects on the environment—for example, the roofs of high-rise buildings are now being filled with vegetative landscapes to take advantage of unused spaces. The sector is also bursting with employment opportunities, with large autochthonous firms, such as DP Architects, and international firms, such as Aecom, Aedas, and HKS, all having offices in Singapore. Moreover, many well-known projects by internationally acclaimed architectural firms, such as Ingenhoven Architects, Foster + Partners, and Un Studio, are taking place in the city-state.
Singapore is paving the way for architecture, and is bringing the sector into a much more modern, future-forward way of thinking. It can be said that the young city-state is now a sustainable leader across the globe. As highlighted by David Goodman, Director of Architecture Studies at IE University, “Singapore has a truly vibrant economy and a really innovative construction and design center.”
“This is just a step in a larger campaign underway for securing professional accreditation for our program around the world.”
What does this mean for IE University?
IE University embraces a multinational approach to learning and focuses on providing students with opportunities to foster a global outlook. Our Director of International Development, Elisa Meléndez, highlights how this accreditation further reinforces our efforts to promote international opportunities. “With more than 130 nationalities on campus, our programs look for content and career development globally. Being awarded with academic accreditation in Singapore is extremely interesting for students in many different regions who see themselves working at the highest international level.” David Goodman adds, “This is just a step in a larger campaign underway for securing professional accreditation for our program around the world.”
How will this benefit students at IE University?
Thanks to this accreditation, graduates from IE University will now be able to work under the same privileges as graduates from the two aforementioned Singaporean universities. As put by Mr. Goodman, “This allows our students to access the profession in one of the world’s most vibrant economies and with a really innovative construction sector design.” He adds, “When our students graduate from our program, of course they are licensed architects in Spain and recognized throughout the whole European Union, but this puts our graduates on the same footing as a graduate from one of the two Singaporean schools of architecture.” Thus, employment opportunities for our graduates are maximized—a core value at IE University.
Finally, we are in for an exciting opportunity ahead of us, as Singapore was chosen to kick off the “IE x 12 Resilient Cities” video series. In the first video, we will see Alfonso Vegara (PhD in City and Regional Planning and lecturer for our Master in Real Estate Development) explore the factors that are contributing to making Singapore a resilient city set to face any future challenges.