Manipal: iDiDe 2018, an international design workshop with a transcultural themed agenda, will be held at Faculty of Architecture (FOA) here from January 10 to February 2, 2018. iDiDe, pronounced “i-dee-dee”, is an experience that offers immersive cultural (in-country) activities and cross-national collaboration. It was initiated by Deakin University Australia in 2010. Since then, seven iDiDe workshops have been held in Australia and other Asian countries.

The inaugural function will be held in the Sringeri Hall in FOA at 9am on January 11, 2018. Dr Narayan Sabhahit, Registrar Manipal Academy of Higher Education will be the chief guest. Sixteen students from Deakin University, Australia and three from IIUM, Malaysia and their faculty members will be present.

This year, Faculty of Architecture, Manipal is hosting iDiDe 2018 which has an Anganwadi Project with holistic design development for mother and child centre for non-urban communities aimed to initiate an integrated sustainable community development approach through co-design and co-building methods.

The programme includes studios, workshops, expert lectures and cultural immersion activities for a holistic learning experience. As a part of this design workshop, an exhibition and closing programme will be held on January 27, 2018 from 9 am to 5 pm.

The programme has students from a number of institutions working in collaborative studio groups of 3-6 members alongside academics, architects and built environment professionals who offer industry expertise and professional mentorship.

The pedagogical objectives of iDiDe are to explore contemporary practice within a globalized context through intercultural dialogue. The academic experience fosters intercultural understanding along with culturally appropriate design responses.

In January 2017, students from the Faculty of Architecture, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Deakin University (Australia) and University of Moratuwa (Sri Lanka) worked together in Colombo and Ampara, a rural district in the island country for the realization of Diriya Mansala; The Lankan concept of a community centre that embodies the Sinhala meaning for, “A place to gather strength and courage”.