SELANGOR, 3 Feb. – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd. (GAMUDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Wetlands Arboretum Centre at Gamuda Cove, Kuala Langat, Selangor here today.
The ceremony coincided with the World Wetlands Day celebration, signifying a substantial step towards fostering collaboration and strengthening education, research collaborations, as well as staff and student development. Additionally, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) participated in the academic cooperation MoU signing.
Leading the ceremony were the executive director of Gamuda Land, LAr Khariza binti Abd Khalid, and the Gamuda Parks team. Representing Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail for the MoU signing was the Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment & Surveying (FABU), Prof. Sr. Kherun Nita Ali. Also present were committee members of the Landscape Architecture Program, including the Deputy Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, Assoc. Prof. LAr. Dr. Sapura Mohamad; Director of the Landscape Architecture Program, Dr. Lee Yoke Lai; and Advisory of EARTH Society, Dr. Teoh Mei Yee.
The collaborative efforts between UTM and Gamuda Land formalized following an online meeting initiated on June 24, 2022. Representatives from the Architecture Program, Landscape, and FABU engaged in discussions, with LAr. Khariza binti Abd Khalid playing a pivotal role as the Executive Director of Gamuda Land. UTM and GAMUDA collaborated on various initiatives, including online guest speakers, case study visits, and the Fabulous Alumni Talk Series. Gamuda Land supported the Academic Excellence Award to reward the best academic landscape architecture students of the Faculty of Architecture & Surveying (MAKA 2022). Landscape Architecture students will commence internships at Gamuda Parks in February 2024.
The Landscape Architecture program began its collaboration with Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd. through online guest speakers, case study visits at Gamuda Cove, Banting Selangor, the Fabulous Alumni Talk Series, and cash prizes for Architecture students Landscape in conjunction with the Academic Excellence Award, Faculty of Architecture & Surveying (MAKA 2022) on May 25, 2022. The Gamuda Land team visited FABU to attend the students’ final Project presentation on landscape architecture.
The MoU collaboration with Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd. extended to a research grant, implementation of professional/short courses manifested in industry experience in studios and courses (such as field studies and project design), Community Social Collaboration (CSR) to formulate park and green Area Guidelines, and collaborative events organized by Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd. (such as garden landscape design competition and landscape furniture initiatives) further strengthen the partnership.
In alignment with the enVision UTM 2025 goals, the collaboration is poised to achieve High Impact Results (HIRs) set forth by UTM. The MoU marks a significant stride towards enriching academic and research endeavors, bringing together the strengths of both institutions for a brighter future.
