Following the article on the expedition in March 2022 titled ‘Kolaborasi Senibina Pergunungan UiTM-Kathmandu University, Nepal’, The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) under the Centre of Construction, College of Built Environment (CBE) once again continued its effort to fulfill the Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) made with Kathmandu University, Nepal to initiate its first activity–CMCare outbound mobility programme. The 7-days programme starting from 5-12 December 2022–involves 4 accompanying lecturers and 6 selected students from Construction Management, and Architecture programme. The effort also heeds to the college objective in expediting the International SULAM (Service-Learning Malaysia) for the year 2022.
In the beginning of the winter season, The 7-days itinerary and activities in Kathmandu, Nepal includes;
Day 1: Departing from KLIA to Kathmandu Airport. Check-in hotel.
Day 2: Visiting Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal located at Dhulikel of Kavrepalanchok District. The visit involves tour around the campus which includes library, canteen, classroom, and lab with the help of Mr Buddha Shresta (Assistant Professor of Architecture Programme). The agenda followed by meet and greet sessions with the department of civil engineering, KU top management, and courtesy visit to the Malaysian Embassy.
Day 3: The students attending lecture on ‘Mountain Architecture in Nepal’ by the senior lecturer Madam Jharna Joshi. Later, both students and lectures visit the site in Phoolbari, Namobuddha –2 hours’ drive from KU. The site visit explores about the traditional to modern local construction materials used and mountain architecture.
Day 4: The UiTM students are divided in groups with KU students to propose a small design project ‘Shelter’ and local construction materials in Nepal. The outcome of the grouping projects require UiTM students to represent their group for the presentation. The attire wore for the day also reflect the traditional Malay outfit– ‘Baju Melayu’ and ‘Baju Kurung’.
Day 5: Visiting the famous cultural city of Bhaktapur; Discovered the distinctive architectural features, historical facts, the making of rice paper, pottery, and demonstration of singing bowls. The walk was guided by a tour guide who provides us with local historical information.
Day 6: Visiting the Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, also known as ‘ City of Beauty’ which gazette under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Also, the trip purchased pass tickets entry to Patan Museum that displays rich cultural ancient sacred arts and sculptures that made of cast bronzes, multiple courtyards and embellishment.
Day 7: Check-out from hotel to depart from Kathmandu Airport to KLIA
The outcome of the visit is able for UiTM students to have an international experience and meaningful discourse among the KU students and faculty members of KU about the campus life and lectures. Also, the visit builds up the students confident and self-esteemed to face any inferiority and becoming role-models for their peers in UiTM.
The success of this visit would not be possible without the main sponsors from Department of International Affairs (DIA)–UiTM Global, CMCare team from Centre of Studies from Construction, College of Built Environment (CBE), and support from Malaysian Airlines Berhad for the competitive and reasonable airfares to travel. Not to mention the synergistic inter-departmental collaboration from construction management students association (BUILDERS) and architecture student association (ARCHISA) allowing both students and lecturers to exchange a meaningful interaction and shared experience.
The way forward for the MoU is to conduct an international symposium on safety and health on foreign workers, research collaboration on mountain architecture and construction materials, and reciprocal visit by the KU delegates. This bilateral effort is hope to enhance the understanding to the concern and issues in construction industry in both countries and therefore increase the international visibility and future joint-venture projects for both of the universities.