History in the Making

OPIE was established in 1988 to offer primarily architectural and design studies. Its unique emphasis was on high student contact hours and low staff to student ratios. OPIE selected staff with experience in the specialised areas of Architecture, Art, Built Environment, Design and Construction. With a growing reputation in teaching excellence, OPIE developed, in conjunction with Internationally trained staff, the first Bachelor of Architecture Degree delivered by a private provider.

The OPIE’s emblem is the Greek Thebean Sphinx, an ancient symbol of wisdom, which according to legend, posed the following question to passers-by: “what is that which in the morning walks on four, at noon walks on two, and at night walks on three legs?” – this is the famous enigmatic explanation of humanity’s life stages.

The Mission of OPIE is:
“The education and cultivation of proficient, responsible designers of a high international standard who can become leaders within their profession”.