Full Time Faculty PhD, University of Tokyo(UTokyo), Japan Phone : +880-2-55668200 Ext: 6452 |
Dr. Nandini Awal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at North South University(NSU), Bangladesh. She joined NSU in September 2018 and was appointed as a Chairperson for two years from January 2023. Before joining NSU, she spent five years teaching architecture at BRAC University.
Dr. Awal earned her PhD from the University of Tokyo (UTokyo), Japan, in 2012, following the completion of her Master’s degree in 2009 from the Department of Architecture at the Nishide-Otsuki Lab.
As an academic, Dr. Awal teaches both design studios and theory courses at the undergraduate level, with a focus on Human Settlements, Rural Settlements, and Heritage in architecture. She also supervises international Master's students in research-based programs.
As a researcher, her work centers on low-income housing and both urban and rural heritage. She is particularly engaged in research on informal settlements in Bangladesh and urban heritage in Mymensingh.
As Chair (Administrative Position), Dr. Awal successfully initiated the signing of an MoU between NSU and the School of Design at Kyushu University, Japan, and led the renewal of the department's accreditation for five years.
By engaging in various research activities connected with Japan (The University of Tokyo, Kyushu University, and Nippon Koei), Dr. Awal has fostered international academic collaboration, contributed to cross-cultural architectural studies, and expanded her expertise within both Japanese and Bangladeshi contexts.
Journal
Book
Conference
Seminar
Exhibition
Awards & Honors(Academic)
2025: NSU(North South University, Bangladesh) Research Grant Recipient, 2024-2025 Cycle as Principal Investigator
2024: Juror, AYDA(Asia Young Designer Awards) Award at National Level (Bangladesh)
2024: Participant, Sakura Science Program (Government Driven & Funded Program), Kyushu University, Japan
2024: NSU(North South University, Bangladesh) Research Grant Recipient, 2023-2024 Cycle as Principal Investigator
2023-2024: Chairperson, Department of Architecture, North South University(NSU), Dhaka,Bnagladesh
2023: Point of Contact (Agreement on Student Exchange Between Graduate School of Design & School of Design, Kyushu University Japan & SEPS,North South University Bangladesh)-present
2023: Participant, Technical Session-Nippon Koei,Tokyo, Japan
2021: Editorial Board Member, Japanese Architectural Review (JAR)
2020: Participant, Sakura Science Program (Government Driven & Funded Program), Kyushu University, Japan
2020: Guest Speaker (Invited as woman architect)- Round Table Discussion, Prothom Alo
2011-2012: International Scholarship Recipient (Sato Yo International Scholarship Foundation, Japan)
2009: UT(University of Tokyo Foundataion) Shienkikin Scholarship Recipient
Awards & Honors(Cultural)
2000: Award Recipient-2nd Position (Intra-University Cultural Competition)
1997: Award Recipient as a Champion (Inter-College Cultural Competition)
1997: Award Recipient in Classical Music (First Class, Five-Years Course, Nazrul Academy, Mymensingh)
1994: Participant-Cultural Tour in Japan (organized by Japan-Bangla Society, Japan)
1993: Award Recipient-3rd Position (Notun Kuri-National Cultural Competition)
1993: Award Recipient-Champion (Water Color & Pencil Sketch, Group-Children, Jainul Abedin Shangrahashala)
1990: Award Recipient-President Gold Medal (Bangladesh Shishu Academy-National Cultural Competition)
1989: Participant-International Cultural Tour in China (organized by Bangladesh Shishu Academy)
1989: Award Recipient-2nd Position (Bangladesh Shishu Academy-National Competition)
Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) - 2012
Informal Settlements of Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo (UTokyo), Japan
Master of Engineering(MEng) - 2009
Informal Settlements of Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo(UTokyo), Japan
Bachelor of Architecture(B. Arch) - 2006
Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology(BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Associate Professor (2018-present)-Department of Architecture, North South University(NSU), Dhaka,Bnagladesh
Principal Investigator: Research Grant Recipient, 2024-2025 Cycle, NSU(North South University, Bangladesh)
Associate Professor & Chairperson (2023- 2024)-Department of Architecture, North South University(NSU), Dhaka,Bnagladesh
Principal Investigator: Research Grant Recipient, 2023-2024 Cycle, NSU(North South University, Bangladesh)
Assistant Professor (2013-2018)-Department of Architecture, BRAC University, Dhaka,Bnagladesh
Research Assistant (2012)-Global COE/GCOE(Global Centers of Excellence) Program, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Not Applicable
Design Studio Courses:
ARC 418: Design and Allied Studies Studio I
ARC 419: Design and Allied Studies Studio II
ARC 519: Advanced Studies Studio II- Thesis Project
ARC 596: Thesis Documentation- Research and Development
Graphics Studio Courses:
ARC 121: Graphics I- Basic Drawing
ARC 122: Graphics II- Rendering
Theory Courses:
ARC 453: Human Settlement- Policy and Planning
ARC 456: Rural Studies
ARC 344: Architectural Heritage IV- Bengal
Other Courses:
ARC 492: Independent Study
ARC 410: Landscape Design Laboratory
Associate Member (AA-486): Institute of Architects Bangladesh(IAB)- present
Editorial Board Member: Japanese Architectural Review (JAR)-present
SSC(Sakura Science Club) Alumnai Association Memeber-present
Life Member: Center for Urben Stusies (CUS), Bangladesh
Founder Member: Planners & Designers Association, Mymensingh
Design Team Member (Branch office for BRAC at Rangpur & Mymensingh) Center For Inclusive Architecture And Urbanism (Ci + AU) ,BRAC University -(2017-2018)
Working Member (IQAC, Department of Architecture BRACU) funded by HEQEP, UGC and the World Bank-(2016-2017)
Faculty Advisor: Heritage Forum BRAC University-2013
SATOM Member: Sato Yo International Scholarship Foundation-2012
Housing/Human Settlements (Low-Income Housing): Meaning of Dwellers' Behavior & Their Influences in the Housing Design
Urban Heritage (Mymensingh): Identity of A Town/City in the Face of Globalization & Urban Development
Regional Design (Bangladesh & Japan): Community Participation in the Design Process
Rural Settlements(Bangladesh): Patterns of Rural Settlements in Bangladesh (According to Professions)
Natural Heritage(Bangladesh): Mapping of Natural Heritage in Bangladesh(Trees of Significant Age, Size, or Cultural/Historical Importance)