BUET launches new Master of Landscape Architecture program

The academic council of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has officially granted final approval for the launch of a new Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program. This significant development follows a specialized educational initiative that was originally set in motion back in 2015 to advance landscape architecture education in the country.

Reflecting on the motivations behind her studies abroad and her new role, Alia Shahed, an assistant professor in BUET's Department of Architecture who has been appointed as the coordinator of the MLA program, shared her perspective on the critical need for this discipline. She stated that cities across the country are expanding rapidly, yet development is frequently carried out without adequate and sensitive planning, noting that institutional knowledge and practice within landscape architecture remain limited.

Elaborating on her personal journey and professional aspirations, Alia Shahed explained that her primary objective in pursuing studies at TU Delft was to acquire advanced knowledge and experience that she could eventually bring back and apply in Bangladesh. She expressed immense joy that this long-held vision is now turning into a reality, alongside her excitement regarding the responsibilities entrusted to her as the coordinator of the newly established MLA program.

Professor Dr. Nasrin Hossain, who serves as the dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning at BUET as well as the coordinator of the UDL Division, also highlighted the extensive background work leading up to this milestone. She remarked that all members of the UDL division have worked tirelessly over the past decade to meticulously design the comprehensive curriculum required for this specialized degree program.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming academic terms, Professor Dr. Nasrin Hossain noted that they are profoundly delighted to officially launch the Master of Landscape Architecture degree program starting from the upcoming semester. She added an expression of strong hope that this academic program will successfully foster fresh innovations while simultaneously instilling greater responsibility and enhanced credibility within the practice of landscape architecture throughout the country.