Avani Institute of Design names two senior academicians to leadership roles

Avani Institute of Design has announced the appointment of two experienced academicians to key leadership positions to strengthen its focus on quality design education and institutional development. The Kozhikode-based institute said the move will support curriculum advancement, faculty mentoring and student learning outcomes. The appointments are part of Avani Institute of Design’s continued efforts to build academic leadership that is innovative, relevant and rooted in real-world practice. With these changes, Avani Institute of Design aims to expand its academic programmes and deepen its commitment to creating socially responsible and future-ready design professionals.
Architect Sonia Gupta has joined Avani Institute of Design as Head of Department for Architecture and Design. She brings close to four decades of experience in architectural education, research and professional practice. Gupta has previously held leadership roles at institutions including Woxsen University and Amity University Kolkata. Her work has focused on architecture, sustainability, urban development and interdisciplinary learning. Over the years, she has contributed extensively to academic development, research and mentoring students and faculty across programmes.
The institute has also appointed Architect Abhijit Digambar Shirodkar as Dean – Institutional Development and Strategic Initiatives. An architect, educator and academic administrator with over 35 years of experience, Shirodkar has served in leadership positions at Woxsen University, Amity University Mumbai and Maharashtra Institute of Engineering and Technology Gondia. A University Gold Medalist in Architecture, he has played an important role in curriculum development, academic governance, faculty development and institutional growth. He has also served on various committees of the Council of Architecture and other professional bodies.
Welcoming the appointments, Tony Joseph, Chairman and Principal, Avani Institute of Design, said, “We are pleased to welcome Ar. Sonia Gupta and Ar. Abhijit Shirodkar to the Avani family. Both bring rich academic and professional experience, along with a deep understanding of design education. Their leadership will further strengthen our academic programmes and support our vision of creating socially responsible and future-ready design professionals.”
These appointments reflect Avani Institute of Design’s continued efforts to strengthen its academic leadership and provide students with a learning environment that is innovative, relevant and rooted in real-world practice. The institute said the new leaders will work closely with faculty and students to align pedagogy with evolving industry needs while maintaining a strong foundation in design thinking and social responsibility. Avani Institute of Design expects the leadership to contribute to research, outreach and partnerships that enhance student exposure.
Avani Institute of Design, a Centre of Excellence in Architecture and Design education, is affiliated with the University of Calicut and approved by the Council of Architecture. It is governed by a Council chaired by Tony Joseph and some of the best emerging practitioners in India namely Vinod Cyriac, Brijesh Shaijal and Vivek PP. The Institute has a hands-on Advisory Council consisting of national and international architectural, design and art practitioners and educators namely Neelkanth Chhaya, Dean D’Cruz, Sanjay Mohe, Bijoy Ramachandran, Artist Bose Krishnamachari, Peter Rich, Soumitro Ghosh, Roger Connah and Durganand Balsavar.
Avani Institute of Design faculty includes architects with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from institutions such as Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University, School of Planning and Architecture, the University of Texas at Austin, the National University of Singapore, the National Institute of Technology Calicut, the University of Edinburgh United Kingdom, the Bartlett School of Architecture United Kingdom, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia Barcelona Spain, the University of Leuven, and the University of New South Wales. The institute’s award-winning architecture reflects some of its core values. The Campus, designed by Stapati Architects, won the prestigious National Smart Green Award. 95% of Avani students live on campus, making the Avani experience a continuous, shared and safe environment that enables learning and sharing. The Residence can accommodate more than 400 people at a time.