CEPT University

Mission Statement

CEPT University integrates Architecture, Planning, Design, Technology, and Management to advance built environments, cultivating innovative leaders and generating impactful research that shapes sustainable, equitable, and resilient landscapes, cities, and systems. Through our integrated educational approach and dedicated advisory services, we empower communities globally to thrive in an evolving world, while honouring our legacy of innovation and commitment to enriching lives across India's diverse landscapes.

International Role

In a rapidly evolving and constantly changing global context, CEPT University is focused on learning, sharing and co-creating problem-solving approaches and new forms of knowledge. CEPT’s students and teachers engage in different modes of exchanges and collaborations with leading universities in the world.

The objective of CEPT’s international collaborations and exchanges is to provide opportunities to students, from CEPT and other institutions, to engage in multicultural learning experiences and to benefit from an exposure to diverse academic and professional approaches to enrich their learning experience. It allows students to develop a considered worldview and a deeper understanding of global issues and their local impacts. At CEPT University, the International office has been charged with developing and maintaining international collaborations, and supporting international students while they are at the Institute.

Presently, CEPT has active collaborations with over 30 globally reputed academic institutions.

National Role

CEPT University was started as a School of Architecture in 1962 with support from the Ahmedabad Education Society. With the addition of new schools and programs every decade since then, it has evolved into what is today known as CEPT University. Through its academic program offerings and its research and advisory services, CEPT University has cemented its place as a recognized leader in the country in areas of architecture, planning, design, technology and management. CEPT’s consistent effort to strive for excellence has been acknowledged nationally and internationally through many awards and accolades:

• Accorded the status of Centre of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India (2023)
• Accorded the status of Centre of Excellence by the Department of Education, Government of Gujarat (2022)
• Ranked consistently among the top 10 academic institutions in the country in the Architecture & Planning Category in the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) since 2020.
• Rated as a 5-star University in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) of the Government of Gujarat since 2020 and 5-star plus University in 2024
• CEPT laboratories are NABL Accredited (2023)

Main Focus

CEPT University is among the top universities in India in the areas of Architecture, Design, Planning, Technology and Management. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 ranks in the national rankings of India since 2020. Moreover, the university has over 30 active exchange programs with leading universities across the world facilitating student and faculty mobility and research collaborations.

Established in 1962 as the School of Architecture, by the Pritzker Prize winning architect Dr. B V Doshi, CEPT University has been at the forefront of architectural education in the country. More recently, since 2015 the university offers among the most innovative and highly sought after programs in design.

CEPT University is deeply committed to high quality education focused on development of students’ abilities and critical-thinking through problem-based learning, hands-on skill building and experiential learning. CEPT University has a diverse student body of 2,000 students across its five Faculties. Its teaching and learning is supported by 100+ faculty members, 200+ visiting faculty and 200+ staff members. Its scholarship program, among the largest in the state, ensures that its education is affordable to a large section of the society.

CEPT’s faculty members are not only engaged in teaching and academic administration, they are also actively engaged in research and advisory work that is directly relevant to improving the towns and cities of India. To facilitate this, the CEPT Research and Advisory Foundation (CRDF) – a not-for-profit entity – was set up in 2013. Recently, CEPT University was the only private university among four in the country selected for an endowed Center of Excellence established by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of India. This new center will focus on research and capacity building for India specific knowledge in Urban Planning and Design.

Focused on continual improvement and pursuit of excellence, CEPT University seeks inputs and feedback from practicing professionals through their twice-a-year Board of Reviews. Experts from across the country and the world, provide feedback on student work, and provide guidance to the faculty and the University on the teaching and learning. This continuous engagement with the industry helps CEPT University offer programs that are relevant and aligned with the challenges and opportunities of today.