October at Anant was marked by meaningful conversations, new collaborations and enriching learning experiences. From engaging with eminent architects and working on real-world design challenges to advancing research, celebrating achievements and coming together for festivities, the month reflected Anant’s commitment to learning beyond the classroom. This edition brings together the people, ideas and initiatives that continue to inspire our community to Create the New.
Ar Raj Rewal and Ar Sunita Kohli
Anant welcomed renowned architect Ar Raj Rewal for Design(ing) Futures, developed in collaboration with Global Village Foundation. Through a film screening and engaging conversations, students gained insights from his six decades of architectural practice, exploring how India’s cultural heritage and contemporary design thinking come together to shape meaningful spaces.
Padma Shri awardee Ar Sunita Kohli also visited Anant during Catalyst 2.0, IIID’s flagship inter-college design festival. Sharing her experience, she inspired students to question, experiment and develop their own creative voices, highlighting the importance of curiosity and cultural understanding in design. Speaking during her visit, Ar Kohli said, “I have always believed that learning happens through dialogue and experience. The wonderful work of Anant National University brings this spirit to a generation. It gives students freedom to question, experiment and engage with practitioners beyond the classroom.”
The Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition
Anant, in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), launched a Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition, inviting students across disciplines to design a pedestrian bridge at Narol Crossroad, Ahmedabad. 150 students, 12 hours and countless ideas came together during the ideation session, offering students an opportunity to work on a real-world project, applying design thinking to improve safety, accessibility and user experience while gaining valuable exposure to the challenges of translating ideas into practical solutions.
The initiative was led by Professor of Practice Ar Jabeen Zacharias, supported by famous architect Habeeb Khan. Shri Pradeep Atri, CGM (Tech) and Regional Office of NHAI extended all possible help.
Anant National University signed two MoUs with the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Ahmedabad Centre, and the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID), Ahmedabad Regional Chapter, strengthening ties between academia and professional practice. The collaborations will create opportunities for students and faculty through industry mentorship, professional exposure, curriculum development, knowledge exchange, joint research and innovation, bringing real-world perspectives closer to design education.
Anant’s growing research culture continues to gain recognition at prestigious platforms. Five BDes students presented their research on shockvertising at INDIS 2026, IIT Guwahati, with their paper selected for the conference proceedings, under the mentorship of Dr Diti Pundrik Vyas, Associate Professor, School of Creative Practices and Entrepreneurship (SCoPE) and Co-lead, Writing and Communication Studio and Snehasri Sundaresan, Research Assistant, SCoPE.
Another student-led study on Indigenous practices among Gujarat’s Rathwa community secured Rs 2.8 lakh under the ICSSR Yuva Shodh Pratibha Scheme 2026–27. The research was led by BDes student Chandni Bhatt, alongside Mokshada Shah and Priyanka Bansode, under the mentorship of Dr Diti Vyas.
Additionally, a case titled ‘Scaling Nurture: Navigating the Quality-Growth Paradox at Kukur’, co-authored by Arun Biswanath and Dr Subhalaxmi Mohapatra, Associate Professor, SCoPE, and Associate Dean, Scholarship and Research Committee (SaRC), won the Best Case Award at Case Connect on Entrepreneurship 2026, EDII Ahmedabad.
Anant’s Shodh Samvad, a student-led research conference organised by the Writing and Communication Studio, brought together 42 undergraduate students presenting 24 research projects across six design-related themes. Emerging from classroom learning, the initiative encouraged students to explore research early in their academic journeys, articulate their ideas and engage in meaningful discussions with peers and reviewers, strengthening a culture of inquiry, critical thinking and research at Anant.
Festive spirit filled the Anant campus as students, faculty and staff came together to celebrate Anant Ratri and Shubho Mahalaya. The celebrations brought the Anant community together in a vibrant expression of tradition, culture and togetherness, filling the campus with joy, festive energy and a shared sense of belonging.
