The Boston Architectural College (BAC), led by Director of Historic Preservation Eleni Glekas, just returned from another trip to Pakistan. Not an area of the world that many have access to, the BAC representatives, which includes Eleni, Don Hunsicker, dean of the School of Design Studies, and Ian Taberner, director of Masters of Architecture Thesis, make annual trips to Pakistan as part of a grant the BAC received from the U.S. Department of State in support of our University Partnership with the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore, Pakistan.

The BAC first started working with the NCA back in 2013 when the U.S. Department of State selected the College as part of its University Partnership program. The goals of that first grant were to introduce historic preservation courses into NCA's undergraduate architecture program, develop digital archival methods, bring NCA students to the United States in a cultural exchange and have BAC students study abroad for their fall semester, and set up field schools opportunities.

The partnership has been extended with another two-year grant from the State Department. Having already focused on adding programs and curriculums in the first grant, NCA wanted to focus on faculty training and development for the new direction of the partnership. This will be accomplished by developing new courses and improving existing courses in their cultural studies and architecture programs, developing technical skills in historic preservation in documentation and materials conservation, working with NCA faculty in developing teaching skills and curriculum development methods, and continuing the cultural exchange and travel between United States and Pakistan.

Having just returned from their March trip to Pakistan, Eleni, Don, and Ian, are pleased with how this second grant is progressing. Ian met individually with 68 NCA architecture, interior architecture, and cultural studies students to review and comment on their theses. Ian also gave two lectures, one about his professional work and drawing technique, and the other to thesis students on how to craft and develop a thesis project.

The BAC also brought Marty Hylton, director of Historic Preservation from the University of Florida in Gainesville, and one of his graduate students to lead a five-day workshop on laser scanning for 40 NCA students. During this workshop, they documented the original NCA campus buildings which are the most culturally significant parts of campus, including a courtyard, garden, and fountain.

Eleni and Don spent time meeting with NCA faculty to review their course development goals and pedagogical techniques, including helping NCA convert its curriculum so that it is split into semester instead of the current model of having yearlong classes.

Next up for the BAC-NCA partnership is welcoming a group of NCA faculty members in June to the BAC. The visit will include a few days in Boston, as well as a trip to New Mexico to explore the rich cultural history of Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Eleni is excited to see this partnership with the NCA continue. "This grant is going to allow the BAC to engage more with NCA faculty, and for BAC students to have opportunities to interact with NCA faculty. The travel opportunities with this grant are incredible. We get to see a part of the world that isn't readily accessible to us, and when we come back home we can share our experiences with students, as well as our friends and families. We get to see NCA faculty and students and the work they're doing, as well as see beautiful historic sites and experience their culture. NCA faculty and students have the opportunity to visit multiple cities around the U.S. and tour our unique historical and architectural sites, deepening their knowledge of cultural heritage practices on both sides of the partnership. I am excited to see how much more we can accomplish in the next two years."

Marty Hylton from University of Florida and Mayreliz Perez giving their laser scanning workshop to a group of architecture students at NCA

Ian Taberner and Khalid Ibrahim of NCA at the Wazir Khan Mosque in the Walled City of Lahore

The BAC's Eleni Glekas and Marty Hylton from University of Florida at the Wazir Khan Mosque in the Walled City of Lahore

Ian Taberner with Shalia Bhati and another faculty member from the Cultural Studies department on NCA's campus in Lahore

Ian Taberner meeting with thesis students in the architecture program at NCA

Don and Agnes Hunsicker pose with some historical reenactors at the Lahore Fort

Eleni Glekas, Don Hunsicker, and Ian Taberner meeting with architecture and cultural studies faculty at NCA to discuss course development goals

Eleni Glekas and an NCA faculty member from the architecture program at the Lahore Fort