The department of Architecture, AIUB organized a webinar with the renowned architect Nurur Rahman Khan on June 10, 2020 at 07:30 – 10:30PM (BST).  The title of discussion was "Why Architecture" Architect Nurur Rahman Khan’s engaging session focused on the subject architecture, how it is often misunderstood by many and slowly unfolded his vast knowledge about the subject and the numerous possibilities the subject carries. Over 100 participants joined the online session; this was a congregation of students currently enrolled, architecture alumni, professionals and faculties. The program was graced by participation of Dr. ABM Siddique Hossain, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh among others.

Architect Nurur Rahman Khan is a partner at Tanya Karim N.R. Khan Associates, an architectural firm, whose works have been nominated for prestigious awards and won national and international competitions. He has lectured at various universities and has authored two books, one “The Assembly Building”, which was published on the 100^th birth anniversary of Louis I Kahn and the first book on  Architect Muzharul Islam titled “Muzharul Islam: Selected Drawings”. He has been a torch bearer for many students of architecture for years and helped with his thoughts, ideas and knowledge.

The webinar was designed for the young architects and students of AIUB, he enlightens the participants of the endless whys and wherefores for choosing architecture, the power of creativity. He started with a story of himself and his friend and how they fell in love with designs by Battista Farina and Enzo Ferrari that motivated and drives him till this day. He believes and architecture must have tremendous passion. He also shared multiple examples of various works by famous architects and designers, Mahzurul Islam, Bernard Tshumi, Yoko Ono, Arata Isozaki, captivating the audience.  The audience also engaged in the questions and answer session spontaneously and he ended the webinar saying the importance of reading and enhancing knowledge, even if one is an academician or a practicing architect.

The program was organized and moderated by the Head of the Department and Associate Professor, Architect M. Arefeen Ibrahim. It was organized for the department, to help the students and graduates stay positive during this pandemic situation and stay connected. The Department of Architecture would like to thank the IT Department of AIUB and AIUB authority for the support which made the webinar possible.