JJ varsity to offer PhD, new courses under PPP model

Mumbai: Exercising its autonomy as a deemed university under the de-novo category, the Sir JJ Institute of Art, Architecture and Design is undergoing a major transformation. From introducing PhD programmes for the first time in its 169-year-old history to launching new design and animation courses under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, the university is also planning an extensive campus redevelopment and beautification drive. The heritage Kipling Bungalow, built in 1882, is also being converted into an Art Gallery. The first phase will be ready soon and the university plans to host its first exhibition, from the institute’s own art collection, in this gallery by mid-June.

While the schools of fine art, applied art and architecture have been offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the institution had never introduced doctoral studies for students. Now, as a university, it is set to launch PhD programmes for the first time and has invited applications from July 1. The initial plan is to admit 18 PhD scholars, who will be guided by three associate professors on campus. However, the intake could increase as the university is expected to get 30 new faculty members in the coming months. “If some of the new faculty members are eligible for guideship, we can increase the intake capacity,” said vice-chancellor Him Chatterjee. Seats will be reserved for in-house faculty who are keen on pursuing PhD, he said, adding that many keen on academics are interested in doctoral studies.

In the pipeline, is a bachelor’s programme in animation, which will be offered in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), approval for which is awaited from govt. The university has also launched bachelor’s and master’s in design, a popular interdisciplinary course, from this year. Most of the old courses and new ones have been aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) for the first time after it got the deemed-to-be university status in Oct 2023. All the undergraduate degrees offered at the institute will now have a duration of four years, with multiple entry and exit options.

The university’s heritage campus in the Fort area, known for its colonial-era architecture, is also set for a major revamp, said Chatterjee. The redevelopment plan focuses on creating greener, more sustainable and biodiversity-rich spaces across the campus. Fourteen green patches have already been identified and will be transformed into dedicated ecological zones, including two Miyawaki forest patches featuring dense, self-sustaining native trees.

The campus will also introduce themed landscapes such as butterfly gardens, medicinal plant gardens and sculpture-integrated green spaces. In line with its sustainability goals, the university plans to install benches, planters, dustbins and art installations made from recycled waste. Information boards will highlight plant species, biodiversity features and the lifecycle of recycled materials used on campus. Authorities plan to make the campus a ‘green learning lab’ for future architects, artists and designers.