The Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) has announced the start of its preparation of the Asia Pacific Interior Designers’ Accreditation Program, marking a significant milestone in the field of interior design education within the Asia Pacific region.
The official announcement was made with a launch ceremony graced by Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade & Industry, Ms Low Yen Ling, during the FIND Design Asia Fair 2023 exhibition held at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in the presence of the Board Members of APSDA.
Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade & Industry, Ms Low Yen Ling, stated, “The AP-ID-AP is the first regional accreditation scheme for interior design practitioners in the Asia Pacific region. Together with the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Interior Design Services, this will facilitate greater mobility of interior design professionals within the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) and enhance exchange in the area of best practices, standards of interior design education, professional practices and qualifications.”
AP-ID-AP is set to transform the landscape of interior design education by upholding rigorous standards and ensuring quality education for aspiring interior designers with mutual recognition across borders.
AP-ID-AP is a collaborative initiative undertaken by leading interior design associations who are members in APSDA who already have existing accreditation programme in place. With a shared commitment to advancing excellence in interior design education, AP-ID-AP aims to create a comprehensive and standardized framework for accreditation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of interior design programs.
Key objectives of the Asia Pacific Interior Designers’ Accreditation Program include:
1. Enhancing Educational Quality: AP-ID-AP will work closely with interior design associations to evaluate and enhance the quality of interior design education. This will involve rigorous assessments of curriculum, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and facilities.
2. Ensuring Global Competitiveness: Accreditation by AP-ID-AP will provide interior design programs with international recognition and validation, positioning graduates to compete effectively in the global marketplace.
3. Fostering Collaboration: AP-ID-AP will serve as a platform for collaboration between educational institutions, industry professionals, and accreditation bodies, fostering a dynamic and innovative learning environment.
4. Continuous Improvement: Accredited programs will be required to commit to continuous improvement, ensuring that students receive the most up-to-date education in the field of interior design.
The AP-ID-AP accreditation process will be thorough and impartial, involving a comprehensive evaluation by a team of experts in the field. Institutions that meet AP-ID-AP’s stringent standards will be granted accreditation, which will serve as a mark of excellence and quality in interior design education.
Prof. Keat Ong, President of APSDA, stated, “We are excited to initiate the preparation of the Asia Pacific Interior Designers’ Accreditation Program, as it represents a significant step towards ensuring the highest standards in interior design education across the region. We believe that this initiative will not only benefit the Interior Designers but will also contribute to the growth and development of the interior design industry in the Asia Pacific.”
