Promising future for MAHE interior designers

The Internship & Placement Week 2008 reached the last day of its course today. Industry visits were made by:

• Mr. Asheet Agrawal & Mr. Muneer Ahamed Khan, Alpha Star Wood Joinery LLC.
• Mr. Nikhil Desai & Mr. Anil Nitnaware, AMB Building LLC
• Mr. Sarang Panchal, Kalavaal Architects
• Miss Moiza Shah, 3 M Gulf Ltd.

In a word of advice to students, Ms. Moiza Shah of 3M Gulf Ltd. says, "Dubai is booming at a phenomenal pace. Experience counts! You need the motivation and a sound knowledge base. The industry demands that your comprehension levels be extremely good. Initially, it will be tough but you need to persevere. Your drive is the key element that can really take you places."

As a result of the Internship & Placement Week 2008, both the graduating batch of students and the 2nd year students have received offers. In light of this, the Interior Design Department has decided to make this event an integral part of the Academic Calendar.

Day three of ID placement week

Mr. Jayarajan, Kardoff Engineering inspects a student's work. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

Today, the 14th of May, marks the third day running of the Internship & Placement Week 2008 at the Department of Interior Design. The department gladly welcomed Mr. Jayrajan of Kardoff Engineering and Mr. Tarun Sethi from Monarch Design Engineering Consultants in Deira. Two representatives of ETA Joinery also participated in the placement week.

Representatives from ETA Joinery contemplate employment possibilities with a student. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

Designing futures

Day two of the Internship & Placement week 2008 was a flurry of activity as students geared up to impress as many as five different interviewers from top design firms from the region. The interviewers included Mr. Rami Yousouf, M/s Architeriors, Mr. Vijay Anand, SMD Interiors, Mr. Sen, ECD Design, Ms. Colleen Cocotos, Sr. Executive Planning & Marketing, ERCO Lighting Pte. Ltd. and Mr. Zafar Ali, Scientechnic, Agents for Siemens AG.

Mr. Rami Yousouf of M/s Architeriors scrutinizes a student's work. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

Mr. Rami Yousouf, it must be noted, has been facilitated by the Department for his contribution to the interior design of the Manipal University, Dubai Campus. He was quoted as saying the association made one feel "just like family now." He admitted he was quite pleased with the turnout in the students work and that the possibility of taking in students would be high over the next couple of months. Although they showed much potential, there was also a lot of room for improvement.

Mr. Vijay Anand, SMD Interiors shares his ideas. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

After viewing some of the students' work, he has also been able to gauge the level of expertise he's looking at. "The students have only a very basic level of 3D and their work in Photoshop is also fine." As far as shortlisting students for positions in his firm is concerned however, Mr. Vijay Anand is clear on what he wants. "First and foremost, the students need to be energetic. Secondly, they should possess knowledge of design language. There are things that a student must know as he enters the field: they ought to know materials, lighting, how to present to a client and also the process of design in offices (at least in theory). Attitude is extremely important."

Mr. Sen of ECD Design interviews a prospective candidate along with his assistant. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

Colleen Cocatoos and Zafar Ali from ERCO Lighting listens intently as a student draws attention to detail. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

The common observation this day was of the strong level of confidence exuded by the students as they calmly attended one interview after the other. With two more days left for this placement initiative, the students can expect to prepare even more as more organizations consent to the campus interviews.

Striving to impress the industry

The Placement & Internship Week 2008 organized by the Department of Interior Design for their 2nd and 3rd year students commenced today.

Mr. Kenneth Laidler, President, APID, was on campus, interacting with the department faculty and conducting interviews for the graduating batch of B.A. Interior Design students.

Mr. Kenneth Laidler, President of APID, demonstrates his approach to a design problem. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

In a separate cabin, Mr. Abraham K. from Sky Interiors conducted interviews simultaneously for the prospective interns of the 2nd year batch of students.

Mr. Abraham K. of Sky Interiors listens as a student explains the concept behind her designs. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

Three more interviewers have confirmed their participation for the recruitment of students for the 13th of May, 2008. They are Mr. Rami Yousouf, M/s Architeriors; Mr. Vijay Anand, SMD Interiors and Mr. Sen, ECD Design.

The Internship & Placement Week has been scheduled from the 12th to the 15th of May 2008 (9.00 AM to 4.00 PM). Students have been requested to be ready with their portfolios throughout the rest of the week.