Usually big companies may have 1 or 2 architects as consultants to serve their interests. They dont do designs as much, but function to oversee external architects that they hire.

It is cheaper to hire architrcts on project basis (hire, get the job done, get out).

hello there.

yes, u can continue anywhere for ur masters, subject to the requirements of that particular university. however, regarding chance, it's a bit complicated. australia has its own regulation regarding profession that no longer recognizes overseas qualifications. but there are way around this by sitting for their professional exams (equivalent to part 1). but yes, it is actually much easier to do everything in australia. for other countries, it's much easier.

I cant say much for NZ, but australia recently made some major changes that even UK qualifications are no longer recognized. It means u have to sit for their part1 even if u already hold a part 1 from other commonwealth countries.

UK on the otherhand is much more liberal. They even allow u to enroll into their part 2 while u sort out the part 1 exam in the UK.

Architecture programmes in commonwealth countries are mostly compatible with each other. This effectively made our accredited programmes as equal to international standard. The only difference is mainly cultural, funding, research focus and opportunity to study under master architects (many famous architects are attached to one school or the other).

Regarding continuing ur part 2 in IPTAs from IPTS, i can say the challenge is always there but i wouldnt say its about preference of own students. Bear in mind major IPTAs have been around for decades. They have a strong tradition of excellence.

So when they produce graduates, they tend to be more attuned to the criteria ppl are looking for in part 2. Im not saying they are better per se. Just more suitable, particularly on the technical aspect.

For UTM, we always interview all candidates and do not differentiate between our own grads with those from outside. Merit is valued higher than familiarity.

Well if u plan to work in Australia, u better think well before hand as it is very unlikely for u to secure a job there nowadays due to immigration policies. Many of my friends have returned after over 10 years working there. Same goes with UK and EU.

It's easier to find a job and settle down in the US, China and Singapore than those countries.

And, Malaysia is also following Aussie footsteps. By 2017, no overseas degrees will be recognized in Malaysia. U will need to take the LAM parts 1 and 2 exams independently. Even if you come the highest ranking university.

Regarding working hours: it's 25 hours a day, 8 days a week kinda job. There's no way around it.

So far, only UTM have adopted BIM authoring into the syllabus and a bit on cost management. However we will soon introduce an integrated multidisciplinary BIM subject that will be shared between built environment courses.

The other schools are waiting to see the impact of the implementation first before adopting our model (or creating their own).

BIM is a huge prospect. I was part of the tranier of trainers that constructed the curriculum. All the while, Dr Lim and myself were very skeptical over the content that they're going to imbue to the students who have NO BACKGROUND in architecture or built environment.

I honestly dont know how effective is going to be, as BIM is useful for managers or those at decision making positions. Not for clerk of works, builders and so on. It's like teaching a 10 year old how to drive. It'll be 8 years before they can actually drive legally.

At the moment, LAM is organizing accreditation on school-by-school basis. Previously, it's by country. This could be dangerous as not all school in a particular country is up to par. So the safer way is to stop recognition based on countries (effective 2017), and start recognition based on schools.

If I'm not mistaken, several overseas schools have requested to be accredited by LAM (including Australia). Yes, many people were skeptical on why an international reputable school would want to be accredited by Malaysia. Well it boils down to money and student skills. Malaysia is a very large exporter of students and we have little problem acquiring funding even for a developing country. And we also are never short of excellent students who can easily acquire scholarships, not to mention our strong(er) command of language and compatible primary and secondary education (despite many locals not believing in the system).

Eventually, we expect more overseas schools to request to be accredited as they will be losing a lot of money if Malaysian students stop enrolling to their schools.

* * *

The thing about working hours is, it's YOUR OWN TIME MANAGEMENT. We don't tell you to work like that.

Design is ever evolving. The more time your spend on it, the better it grows. So there's an unwritten understanding that "your work is not done until you've submitted it!". That's why people keep on working and working on it to achieve perfection.

That list is the old list that hasn't been updated since the 80s. The new list will be released once we have a few schools in the pocket. It should be released by next year, so you could decide which Australian school to go to and be secured for accreditation in Australia and in Malaysia.

On these stuffs, it's better just wait for official announcements. Even if they could tell you unofficially, things can change depending on policies and foreign relations. So until the deal is fully secured, then only should you make your move.

Technically u're not architecture student yet, right? There might be some firms who're willing to entertain, but u might have to sign some non-disclosure agreements and what not. They dont want u to reveal trade secrets away.

Yes, do try and write and explain ur situation and what u want from them. Thats the best way.

Regarding firma in PJ, i might know a few. Let me ask around.

go to LAM website. they have a list of practices in malaysia including their address.

hi,

enroll into any accredited programme as listed in LAM list by 2017. meaning either part 1 or 2.

but first of all, u have to ensure ur current part 1 is accredited first. if u have started ur masters this year, the 2017 ruling doesnt apply to u, regardless if u graduated later than that. it's the point of enrollment, not graduation.

portfolio is always required in any field of design or arts. so if u intend on jumping into this field, get your portfolio ready ALWAYS. when they ask for the portfolio, you need to send them a copy. they might require u to send digital copy instead, so get that ready too. most of the time, i just find it easier to setup an online portfolio and just give the link to anyone who's interested. then i can just concentrate on updating the site time and time again.

they will inform u roughly about 3-6 weeks after u've submitted the application. so yes, better get going now.

regarding what to put in it: this is a creativity-driven field. so any and every form of creative process that u've been through counts!

1st of all, the 2017 ruling does not affect or change any aspects of those going to enroll by 31 december 2017. Lets be clear on that. It doesnt matter when you come back, so long as you start before 2017 ends.

For architecture, JPA will follow LAM's list to the letter. At the end of 2017, the list you see today will no longer be in effect. In its place will be a new list of accredited schools (a few are currently in the process as we speak). JPA will then follow this list in offering sponsorships.

Btw, LAM do not offer jobs. They control the license to get jobs. If you come from a non-accredited school, it's not the end of the world. You can still sit for the part 1 and/or 2 exams independently.

Yes.

Yes and yes.

No problem.

Thats the thing about the international list. It has never been updated. No new school can be entered in the list, and the existing ones cant be changed.

So its true, if u take the masters, it wont be accredited. Only the exact title listed on the website will be accredited. This is why the new 2017 ruling is proposed - to make it more transparent and flexible.

Hello,

Well it's totally up to u. Working experience is critical between part 1 and part 2. We would say 1 year is good, 2 years is best. But its not necessary to go beyond that as u would have acquired everything u need for part 2 by then. Obviously u could use the money acquired to assist for ur PG studies.

For UTM, portfolio is a must. We usually recommend A3 portfolio. Digital portfolio can be used assuming u bring ur own Pad for easy viewing (probably one of the best reason to tell ur parents why u need the Pad!).

this is mainly due to the small number of intakes for diploma holders vs the number of graduates. imagine about 1000 diploma holders pop out each year, and only 100 gets placement for degree. the rest would have to wait and work for a year before trying again.

so when u graduate, other graduates 3-5 years your senior are also competing for placement in public universities.

Hello there.

Architecture isnt hard to study. Learning is probably something everyone knows how to do. It's the output that kills u.

Architecture dont have a lot of exams. In its place, we have crits. It's rigorous, hectic yet fluid and dynamic and most of the time unpredictable. Its where u show the others the work u have done and get scrutinized for it.

U might have worked day and night to produce a design based on what u have learned (and im sure uve learned alot). But on crit day u realized the subtle things in the brief that u thought was unimportant suddenly become the determining factor in ur failure.

Just look at the requirement for applying. It sounds simple, right? Just three A3s of any building. Yet u have absolutely no idea what they want, right? Trust me, go look it up the web and they'll give u a bunch of different answers.

Even asking the previous students might give u a different answer too. So u might opt for just doing whatever u like, and suddenly be scrutinized for ur choice where u were unable to defend. Just a simple matter of choice and get grilled for it.

Studying part is easy. But every semester they'll ask u to produce, produce, produce. U need the mental power and stamina to absorb knowledge and be squeezed like a sponge at the same time.

Yes, UTAR is indeed accredited for part 1. Which means u dont have to sit for the part 1 exam, assuming u graduate before its expiry date .

There are no standard. Portfolios are collection of works which show certain skill sets that one possesses. In this case they want it about buildings. But u can use any means to showcase ur interest in it. It could be freehand sketches, paintings, photography, 3d modelling, scaled models or whatever combination u prefer.

Architecture is about creativity. Go crazy. U just need to prove that u did the works, thats all.



In general, IPTS' gradings tend to be more liberal than IPTA's. So u are safer.



Usually handdrawn works are preferred as the assessors dont need to prove that its yours.

LAM exam come in stages. U do need a portfolio, in which will be reviewed and u will be interviewed on ur knowledge and skills about architectural practice.