The First year students, 2025 batch of Bachelor of Architecture Degree program of School of Architecture & Design (SoALD) of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University have visited the Pilgrim Town of Katra to study the architectural & planning values under the supervision of Ar. Aditya Kumar Singh, Associate Professor, SoALD. The study tour has been duly supported & cooperated by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB). The officials of SMVDSB have guided the students to appreciate the architecture, specifically of the Spiritual Growth Centre, Sports Complex & Niharika Bhawan Complex. Apart from the appreciation of buildings, the students also have perceived the socioeconomic activities of the town thereby exploring how a living pilgrimage creates the habitat image & ekistics of the town. The tour has been successfully coordinated by the Design studio coordinators, Ar. Aditya Kumar Singh, Associate Prof. & Ar. Abhiney Gupta, Assistant Prof., SoALD. Such educational tour gives an awareness opportunity to the students of architecture during the guided exposure to the existing built environment. Prof. Pragati Kumar, Hon’ble-Vice Chancellor, SMVD University has always been a constant encouraging source for such educational tours of students for their exposure to the physical world that enhances their professional skills. With such inspiring leader, it is pertinent to mention that SMVD University has been constantly imparting the quality higher technical education since 2004 and has achieved 23 rd NIRF 2025 rank in Architecture among the approximately 400 schools of architecture across the country.
