Re: Re: AAI taking on the (cancelled) OPUS Student Awards

Thanks for the comment Paul. It is always good to hear concerns over graduates’ financial situation. As you know the AAI does appreciate the financial difficulties that graduates are going through (most of our volunteers are recent graduates) and it is hoped that the work that the organisation has done this year to raise the issues of graduate exploitation has made some impact.
http://architecturalassociation.ie/blog/comments/an-open-letter-to-the-riai-board-and-members-from-the-aai-committee-may-201/

While the decision was made to charge a fee significantly less than that asked by the RIBA Student Awards (150 pounds), a token amount of EU30 was felt entirely reasonable. Furthermore the universities have been asked to consider assisting in this cost.

It is hoped that the new student awards category are seen by all as an entirely positive endeavour, but we will of course listen to all feedback, particularly from the graduates themselves.