Youth Incorporated Magazine

Ahmedabad, September 2024: Mr Ajay Piramal, President, Anant National University, inaugurated the university’s newest building, Student Housing 2 (SH2), in the presence of key members of the university leadership. He also interacted with the B.Des Class of 2028, the largest cohort in the university’s history. 

The event marks a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to providing a vibrant living experience for its students. The newly built SH2, designed by Ahmedabad-based Arya Architects, has a built-up area of 14,000 square meters and a capacity to accommodate nearly 500 residents. It offers world-class amenities, including thoughtfully designed air-conditioned rooms, well-equipped pantries serving nutritious meals and lounges to study and unwind. To ensure student safety, the residence has CCTV cameras installed in all common areas, and Anant’s security personnel guard the premises round the clock.

The Class of 2028 has brought together 478 students from 4 nationalities, 30 Indian states, 283 cities and 468 schools. Interacting with them, Mr. Piramal encouraged students to follow their passion and use their creativity to design solutions for global impact, something that Anant National University prepares them for. He said, “India is a young country, and you are the future. You can make a difference with your design thinking and develop solutions that are unique to India and globally relevant. Anant offers that opportunity and scope for you to create impactful solutions. The diversity of this cohort exemplifies who we are as a university.”

The inauguration of SH2 represents a significant enhancement of the university’s infrastructure, reflecting its dedication to fostering a supportive and innovative learning environment. The University’s 78-acre campus will soon have three new academic blocks designed by HCP Design, RMA Architects and Sangath Vastushilp LLP. These academic blocks will be like future tech centres, complete with robots, laser cutters, 3D-printers and other emerging technologies. 

About Anant National University

Anant National University, India’s first DesignX university, is dedicated to training young designers to devise solutions to problems through creative thinking, fusing contemporary technologies and indigenous practices.

Their DesignX way is unique in helping young designers develop a better understanding of the context we live in through community immersion, innovation and collaboration. The core of its pedagogy is sustainable design multiplied by a host of knowledge disciplines and technology to make problem-solving impactful. Its multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in design, architecture, climate action and visual arts harness the knowledge from various disciplines and traditional practices to integrate it with cutting-edge technology to address diverse challenges.

The university trains designers to become solutionaries – revolutionary thinkers with a solution-oriented mindset.