The Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT) University that suspended its Bachelor of Planning course might have no plans to restart it. However, this may not be of any consequence for BPlan aspirants. According to sources, Nirma University is gearing up to launch its own BPLan course with Utpal Sharma, former dean of the faculty of planning at CEPT, at the helm.

Meanwhile, CEPT is gearing up to start a new course titled Urban design and studies to replace the BPlan course. Nirma has started the process for launching the four year BPlan course after receiving nods from varsity's governing council as well as from Institute of Town Planner, India (ITPI). "We will commence the course from 2016, with 60 seats. We will make the planning course a multi-disciplinary course where other departments will also offer courses," said Sharma. He stated that the varsity is in process of commencing recruitment of faculty members.

Sharma, who will head the BPLan course, said, "We have received several applications, many from those who have worked at CEPT and with significant experience in the field. We will get a better idea of the faculty members only after we complete recruitment process." Sharma joined Nirma University in 2014 after he quit CEPT over his differences with President and Director Bimal Patel. Sharma had worked at CEPT for over two decades. After joining Nirma, he started the Bachelor of Architecture course. Nirma, which is a private university, has sought permission from the state government to have 50% seats for students from Gujarat and 50% from across India.

Dr A Srivathsan, academic director at CEPT said, "We are starting a course from this academic year but it is different from the previous BPlan course. This course is called Urban Design and Studies and has an entirely different curriculum. Also, once a course has been shutdown, it cannot be restarted. The new course, which is a part of Faculty of planning at CEPT, will be more focused on the city and its design aspect."

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