To Build

volume 10 | issue 1 www.tobuild.co.za

SACAP strives for architectural excellence in education

The South African Council for the Architectural Professions (SACAP) is legally mandated to regulate the architectural profession in South Africa in terms of the Architectural Profession Act No. 44 of 2000. The profession includes professional architects, professional senior architectural technologists, professional architectural technologists, professional draughtspersons, specified categories, and candidates in each of the categories of registration, all of whom are required to be registered with SACAP to perform architectural work for the public.

Accreditation of education in architecture One of SACAP’s primary functions is the accreditation of architectural programmes offered by colleges and universities, to set standards of architectural education and training and to approve educational programmes which persons must complete to register with SACAP. In addition, SACAP sets the competency standards for the purpose of registration in the architectural profession.

The accreditation visits are conducted at all universities within a five-year cycle to determine if the required educational architectural requirements are adhered to as per the legislated categories.

SACAP’s vision on architectural education The vision of the 5th term Council is: ‘Transformed architectural leaders serving society in a sustainable built environment.’ The Council therefore seeks to transform the architectural education and promote and educate the public about the importance of architecture.

SACAP is cognisant of the high cost of studying architecture. Although free education has been introduced for undergraduates, there is no funding for post-graduates to study architecture. To that end, SACAP will engage various stakeholders, particularly recognised voluntary associations, to provide bursaries for post-graduate studies in architecture.

The 5th term Council has established an Education Fund SubCommittee with the intention to fund architectural education of black South Africans. In addition, SACAP has set up the National Architectural Student Forum (NASF) with the aim of organising students studying architecture. In conjunction with NASF, SACAP will be undertaking roadshows to promote awareness about the role of SACAP in the architectural profession and the importance of registration.

SACAP also intends to undertake public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of architecture. In addition, workshops will be undertaken at high schools to promote architecture amongst learners with the hope that once they have completed matric, they will enrol to study architecture at accredited colleges and universities.