Evaluating the Relationship Between Education and Professional Activity in Architecture and Urban Planning Detailed study: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Art

The gap between education and the profession is one of the serious obstacles in architecture and urban planning in Iran. This study investigates this gap, by using the interview and questionnaire techniques, asking faculty members, students, professionals, and head members of related organizations. The research first studied the School of Architecture and Urban Planning in the University of Art. The research area was expanded after that including the most universities of Iran. The studies of the relationship between the profession and university in architecture and urbanism indicate, there is a significant gap based on the interview and questionnaire results of both communities. To reduce this gap, both sides must strive, while the professionals and faculty members look at the issue from different perspectives. The evaluation of graduates' collaboration in professional activities, indicates that graduates do not have the necessary efficiency in entering most professional activities and are mainly engaged in drawing and documentation. Studies show that the universities not only do not fulfill the mission of determination the professional path but also concede education to the profession. The experience of the world's top universities shows that they positively manage their reciprocal relationship with professional organizations in this field by accepting each other's demands credibility. This study illustrates that the professionals evaluate graduates' ability, in different fields of education, clearly much lower than the university members. Both parties agree on a general issue but there is a significant difference in an accurate assessment of the situation. "Software skills" training, which has received relatively low points from students, is known as the only strength of graduates in the profession. The faculty members gave the lowest mark to the fields of " Scientific and Legal Knowledge", but the professionals evaluated it even lower as well as the field of "Technical and Executive Knowledge" and "Up-to-Date and Technological Knowledge". The most consensus of the two sides is in the approximately positive evaluation of the fields of the "Drawing and Hand Sketch Skills", "Research Skills" and "Theoretical, Artistic and Philosophical Insights". The final judgment about the importance and efficiency of education in these areas needs wider perspective and cannot be discussed fully in this study. It seems that the lack of empowerment of students based on professional demands and making excess capabilities in the university led to a supply and demand system, which is mainly managed by a third party, motivated by income. In a similar situation, in other countries, the university in cooperation with the profession manages this gap. Furthermore, the importance of factors related to motivation, discipline, and ethics is clear in evaluating the profession's criteria for the recruitment of the graduates. These areas are currently outside of the official focus of universities. In comparison, other countries in these criteria focus on scientific issues and a higher level of professional expectations. In general, the relationship between university and profession in Iran requires serious and careful attention and extensive research and operations; It demands action by both parties to reduce the gap and increase efficiency.