BACHOK, Aug 19 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) participated in the 12th Assembly of Landscape Architecture Students Malaysia (ALAM 12), hosted by Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), in Bachok, Kelantan, from 16 to 19 August 2026. Eleven undergraduate Landscape Architecture students from the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) represented UTM, accompanied by Dr. Mohd Ruzaini Che Zahari from the Department of Landscape Architecture as the program advisor.

Students from five other Malaysian institutions also participated in the programme, including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam and Sri Iskandar campuses, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Politeknik Nilai.

ALAM is a biennial program started in 2007 that brings together landscape architecture students from universities across Malaysia to participate in activities that promote knowledge transfer, the exchange of ideas, and networking opportunities.

The 12th ALAM revolves around the theme of Kelantan heritage,’SEMUTAR’, a traditional cloth wrapped and tied around the head that symbolizes the traditional identity of Malay men, especially in the East Coast region of Malaysia.

The sculpture-art competition was an inter-university competition that required each contingent to produce a built sculpture inspired by the theme ‘Wau Sobek‘, using recyclable materials.

UTM presented a sculpture-artwork entitled ‘Jejak Yang Hilang‘, which aimed to raise awareness of the traditional Wau heritage among the younger generation. The sculpture was designed and constructed by the students one week prior to their departure for UMK.

UTM students presented their sculpture-artwork, ‘Jejak Yang Hilang’, supported by an infographic poster and documentary video. The presentation was led by Ayu Sofea Dalila and Ziyad Mohamad Fairuz, with other students contributing ceremonial movements that complemented the sculpture-artwork.

The ALAM 12 Forum also provided an opportunity for lecturer-advisors from participating universities to discuss the selection of the next host for the ALAM program.

In parallel with the session, all lecturer-advisors from the participating universities held a meeting to discuss the selection of the next host for the ALAM program. The activities ended in the evening. All participants reconvened in their group for the next activity of Dikir Kreatif.

Meanwhile, the UMK Campus Expedition was conducted as a group-based activity, with participants completing designated missions at various checkpoints. Through ‘Kugha Semutar‘, students created traditional patterns on fabric using their creativity, tools and natural resources.

All activities of ALAM 12 concluded with the completion of the ‘Kugha Semutar’ activity. The 12th ALAM Closing Ceremony, themed Bekwoh ALAM, then commenced with a closing speech delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics (FAE), UMK, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shardy Abdullah.

The program concluded with the ALAM 12 Closing Ceremony, themed Bekwoh ALAM, which included the presentation of prizes to winners of the various activities.

During the ceremony, Politeknik Nilai was officially announced as the selected host for ALAM 13.

UTM also presented a token of appreciation to UMK as the host institution. Dr. Mohd Ruzaini, accompanied by UTM student representative Ziyad Mohamad Fairuz, presented the souvenir to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shardy Abdullah, Dean of FAE, UMK, who is also a UTM alumnus.

It was also noteworthy that Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shardy Abdullah is a UTM alumnus, adding a meaningful connection to the occasion.

ALAM 12 successfully promoted awareness of Malaysian heritage and culture, particularly those of the Kelantan region.

The curated activities, which incorporated Kelantanese dialects and cultural heritage, provided landscape architecture students with valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding of local identity and explore ways to integrate cultural heritage elements into landscape design and planning.

The formation of groups comprising students from different universities also encouraged cross-university collaboration, fostering knowledge exchange, teamwork, and opportunities for future professional networking among Malaysian landscape architecture students.

Through the program, participating universities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the ALAM program, which has been organized since 2007.