JEDDAH — An architecture exhibition "30 Frames" was held in the campus of Dar Al-Hekma University last week to showcase the work and talents of the third batch of architecture graduates from the university. This exhibition aimed to facilitate the students' smooth integration into the job market after graduation through the attendance of many architecture firms and business professionals. "Dar Al-Hekma University's Design and Architecture Department is one of the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and one of the biggest departments in the university. The graduates from this department are making us proud each and every day. With their skills, talent and hard work they are building this sector in the Kingdom and raising the standards of the design industry," said Dr. Suhair Hassan Al-Qurashi, president of the university. "I'm pleased and proud with the students' achievements; they have accomplished the department's vision. One of the department's vision and objective is to serve the community. This year's projects were designs based on study and research that prove the need for such project in Jeddah or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The students created projects that benefit the community and were not duplicated. I believe that many of the ideas that my students came up with can be adopted in the future," said the Architecture Department Chair in Dar Al-Hekma University, Dr. Mona Helmy. Dar Al-Hekma University will be graduating 54 students with a bachelor's degree in architecture this year; the number of graduating students is more than double since last year. This is clearly a sign of the growing popularity of the major in Dar Al-Hekma University. The exhibition had many designs and topics that presented the 54 capstone projects the students had worked on during the academic year. The topics varied, covering areas like courthouse, museums, centers, hubs and schools. "My project ‘The Canvas' is a fashion hub for designers, students and fashion lovers where they can express their love and passion for fashion," said Basmah Albassam, one of this year's seniors. Another senior, Farah Husayni, said: "Orphans grow up not comprehending the true essence of love. Therefore, it is the architects' role to provide them with a hospitable environment which reflects positively on the orphans' development, emotion and their ability to integrate into the community."
