Thursday 17th November saw the RIBA/APSAA forum held at the Tea Factory, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool. (Now I know that PSA in APSAA stands for Professional Studies Advisor, but I canít remember what the full name is. Google tells me itís the American PsychoAnalytic Association, but I donít think thatís quite rightÖa little help??)
Bonnie and I attended as the student representation amongst a room full of PSAs from the numerous architecture schools around the country. After a brief introduction from Syd Danks and Tony Clelford, the day started off with a RIBA update on the PEDR site management from Jonathan Hull, professional examinations co-ordinator. This sparked off discussion that included the mentioning of completing your PEDR on an ëunconventionalí course (i.e. Bath and Edinburgh), and also the fact that if you finish work on your year out more than 12 months from when you first registered, you can actually have your registration extended, which is quite handy to know!
There was also a concern brought up about international students who havenít found work before they have to extend their visa, and the problem this has caused in finding work and registering with the PEDR. Itís something they havenít properly dealt with yet, which is kinda worrying. So perhaps we could hear from students who have been in this situation? Or people who know of others going through the same thing?
Simon Chung, Archaos Exec