FABU Research Week : Bridging Research, Industry, and Community for Sustainable Futures

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JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 13 – The Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) successfully organised the FABU Research Week 2025 with the theme of “Bridging Research, Industry, and Community for Sustainable Futures” from 10 to 13 November 2025. As one of the FABU flagship annual events, FABU Research Week 2025 aimed to strengthen built environment research culture, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and highlight FABU impactful, community-oriented, and industry-relevant research. The programme provided strategic platforms for researchers, academics, and students to contribute meaningfully to knowledge creation, innovation, and sustainable research.

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Throughout the four-day event, FABU hosted a comprehensive activity, including expert forums, seminars, technical workshops, scientific exploration sessions, youth empowerment initiatives, and a research exhibition. The success of the week was further strengthened by strategic collaborations with key partners, including Ipoh City Council (MBI), Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG), Yong Peng District Council (MDYP), Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP), Think City Sdn. Bhd., Jomstay Digital Sdn. Bhd., and the Johor State Education Department. In addition, the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) was a key strategic partner for the flagship forum “Landscape Architecture in the Age of AI.” This collaboration significantly enhanced the programme’s impact by fostering meaningful dialogue on how artificial intelligence is transforming landscape architecture, influencing both professional practice and academic research while promoting sustainability, efficiency, and innovation. The forum further strengthened collaboration and alignment between academia and industry, while deepening participant appreciation of AI transformative potential in reshaping the future of the built environment.

Gathering of visionary academics and industry leaders at the Forum on Landscape Architecture in the Age of AI – charting the future of intelligent, sustainable built environments

The Research Exhibition was another key feature of the week, showcasing outputs from FABU’s research groups, laboratories, Centre for Community and Industry Network (CCIN), Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (ICC), and Sultanah Zanariah Library (PSZ). Interactive activities, such as student quizzes, encouraged participation and promoted research awareness among attendees.

Research Exhibition: Featuring FABU Research Groups, Satellite Lab, Centre for the Study of Built Environment (KALAM), CCIN, ICC, and PSZ

A major highlight of the week was the Wacana Intelektual Madani, organised by FABU in collaboration with the UTM Council of Professors (MPUTM), under the theme of “Cabaran dan Halatuju Pembangunan MADANI”. This session provided a critical platform for intellectual discourse, engaging leading academics, thought leaders, and policymakers in addressing national development challenges and the strategic direction of the MADANI concept. The closing ceremony was held immediately after the Wacana Intelektual MADANI and was officially officiated by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat, marking the formal conclusion of FABU Research Week 2025.

“Wacana Intelektual Madani”, held under the theme “Cabaran dan Halatuju Pembangunan MADANI”, organised by FABU in collaboration with the MPUTM.

Group photo taken during the Closing Ceremony of FABU Research Week 2025

Overall, FABU Research Week 2025 successfully achieved its objectives of promoting excellence in the built environment disciplines while strengthening a dynamic and collaborative research ecosystem. The programme further reinforced FABU’s commitment to sustaining its distinguished status, particularly as UTM is ranked #1 in Malaysia for Architecture and Built Environment, an achievement recognised in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.