Group 13
MSA CONNECT

The MSA Connect agenda is focused on creating a network to connect the MSA alumni with the current students. Our point of interest lies in bringing together the diverse experiences and expertise of former graduates to strengthen the MSA community. The event provides a glimpse of the wide range of opportunities that architectural studies offer.

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Sreevardhan S / Aaishwarya Jain PJ / Irina Maria Augusta B / Oana N / Harry Alexandras P

Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) is an innovative collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester, that is uniting the universities’ resources and expertise to provide a comprehensive academic experience for its students. MSA gained a reputation for variety, vitality and quality of work, reflected in appraisals by professional bodies like the Architects’ Registration Board (ARB), Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA) and The Landscape Institute, alongside the number and variety of external prizes. MSA ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World Rankings 2018) and recognised as one of the best architecture schools in the UK. We are delighted to work alongside the MSA team represented by Professor Kevin Singh, head of Manchester School of Architecture, Dr Victoria Jolley, Year 6 Lead and Employability Lead at the school and Robert Hyde, Senior Lecturer.

For more information about MSA and their team please access their website: https://www.msa.ac.uk/ .
Posted 1 Mar 2021 17:06
MSA Connect has very defined social ethos. As the university is praised for its reputation, for the variety, vitality and achievements of its students, reflected in appraisals by professional institutions, prizes gained externally and successes of its alumni, we are aiming to develop a project that has its foundations on community, networking, inclusion and opportunity. With this values, going forward we want to establish a place for networking between students, alumni and their connections.
Posted 1 Mar 2021 17:09
Hi, I am Oana Neacsu one of the members of the MSA Connect team. I have graduated BA Architecture at the University of Liverpool in 2020 and I am currently enrolled at the Manchester School of Architecture. For my first year doing my MArch I am part of the Advanced Practice Atelier.

Posted 1 Mar 2021 17:27
Hi everyone! I'm Harry, part of the MSA Connect team. Previously to coming to the MSA I studied at the University of Liverpool and while studying with the LSA spent a year at Xi'an Jioatong Liverpool University in Suzhou, China. Today I am part of the Infraspace atelier.

Aside from Architecture I have a big interest in history & geopolitics and I relish exploring when I have the time and petrol money.
Posted 1 Mar 2021 17:28
The core agenda of our project is to create a network of MSA alumni facilitating discussions and a sense of community.

We aim to organize workshops to develop and learn skills to prepare ourselves for a post-academic adventure while creating opportunities to connect to various esteemed alumni of the school.


Workshops on Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator, as well as soft skills like networking, communication and public speaking will be held. Presentations will be conducted to learn how to present ourselves in the digital as well as the real world.

Posted 1 Mar 2021 17:31
Hi, I am Aaishwarya Jain from the MSA Connect team. I am a registered architect from India. I have done MA Architecture and Urbanism from MSA and currently pursuing Masters of Architecture. I chose the Advanced Practice atelier as I am interested in the formulation of sustainable built environments.
Posted 1 Mar 2021 17:39
Hi everyone! I am Irina, one of the team members of MSA Connect . I from Romania and completed my undergraduate architecture studies at the MSA in 2018. Currently I’m in the 5th year studying in Atelier CPU[Ai]. Looking forward to working with you!
Posted 1 Mar 2021 17:40
Hi everyone! I'm Sreevardhan Sama, part of the MSA Connect team. Previously joining the MSA I studied Bachelor of architecture at the Dayananda Sagar University, India and I am a registered architect from India. Today I am part of the Praxxis atelier.
Posted 2 Mar 2021 04:05
Day-1
On Monday the 10th of May, the MSA CONNECT team introduced the BA students to CV making, LinkedIn profiles and networking. The purpose of this session was to set the knowledge basis, which students will use later to develop their own versions and help them connect to the wider MSA alumni network.
Posted 17 May 2021 19:40
Day-2
On Tuesday the 11th of May, the MSA CONNECT team worked with the BA students to evaluate how they want their future careers to progress. They were asked to draft posters demonstrating their personal expectations and aspirations for what kind of architectural work they would like to be involved with in the future.
Posted 17 May 2021 19:41
Day-3
On Wednesday the 12th of May, the MSA CONNECT team worked together with the BA students on CV design. We had discussions around our CV’s, was what to be improved and how to organise and detail sections when there is yet no relevant experience.
Posted 17 May 2021 19:42
The MSA Connect team presents ALUMNI EVENT as part of the MSA Live Projects 2021. This event showcases a journey from past to present featuring speakers of various backgrounds. We invited four alumni speakers to delve into the past, taking us through a range of experiences that ultimately led to their current roles. Following speaker presentations, a panel discussion will then focus on the present, examine the way we approach careers in times of crisis, and apply the skills learned at university.
Posted 17 May 2021 19:47
Day-4
MSA CONNECT team had the great opportunity on Thursday the 13th of May to welcome Maia Ardalla from Blueprint for All. Maia has delivered a talk on the topics of inclusivity, career advancement, networking as well as her experience as an alumnus of the charity. Maia talked about her career path from the BA at MSA to her current role as well as her plans. We were grateful to have such a wonderful guest from whom everyone had to learn. This provided a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about the unique programmes of Blueprint for All. We greatly hope those eligible will get involved in the Building Futures Programme. It is a wonderful opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to get support in achieving their future career goals.
Posted 17 May 2021 19:49
Day-5
On Friday 14th of May, the MSA CONNECT team had the great opportunity to meet Mr Mark Williams from the company Boardroom Knowledge and the University of Hertfordshire. Mark is a Chartered Engineer with 40 years of experience working for industry-leading organisations in property and construction. Today Mark provides valuable insight to each organisation he works with on proper professional practice. We were lucky to receive a lecture from him on the finer points of networking practice wherein he also provided case studies for students in the scheme to gain better insight into how to most effectively network. Students had to work in groups and apply the scenarios presented by Mark, in a practical exercise.
Posted 17 May 2021 19:50
Day-6
On Monday the 17th of May, the MSA CONNECT team invited Marcell Ovova to discuss the transfer of skills from BA to the year out and then to master. The focus of the talks is on their experience in practice and individual project/business start-ups. Students gained an insight into what they might experience in practice after they graduate from MSA as well as how to leverage their skills and interests.
Posted 19 May 2021 11:06
Day-6
On Monday the 17th of May, the MSA CONNECT team invited Alina Marinescu & Adriana Stefania Tomeci to discuss the transfer of skills from BA to the year out and then to master. The focus of the talks is on their experience in practice and individual project/business start-ups. Students gained an insight into what they might experience in practice after they graduate from MSA as well as how to leverage their skills and interests.
Posted 19 May 2021 11:08
Day-6
On Monday the 17th of May, the MSA CONNECT team invited Raluca Sisu & Thomas Cooper to discuss the transfer of skills from BA to the year out and then to master. The focus of the talks is on their experience in practice and individual project/business start-ups. Students gained an insight into what they might experience in practice after they graduate from MSA as well as how to leverage their skills and interests.
Posted 19 May 2021 11:09
Day-8
On Wednesday the 19th of May, the MSA CONNECT had updated the posters of all recent events during the MSA live 2021
Posted 21 May 2021 19:31
Day-9
On Thursday the 20th of May, the MSA CONNECT team had helped BA students to focus on their future plans and prepare their mind map. The purpose of this session was to set the knowledge basis, which students will use later to develop their own.
Posted 21 May 2021 19:47
Day-10
On Friday the 21st of May, the MSA CONNECT team had worked on the final submission for the publication.
Posted 21 May 2021 19:50
Day-7
On Tuesday the 18th of May, The main event of MSA CONNECT we had different MSA alumni students with different career paths to discuss the transfer of skills from BA to the year out and then to master. The focus of the talks is on their experience in practice and individual project/business start-ups. Students gained an insight into what they might experience in practice after they graduate from MSA as well as how to leverage their skills and interests. At the end of the day, we have a panel discussion with Prof. Kevin Singh, Rob Hyde and Dr Victoria Jolley.
Posted 21 May 2021 19:54