Puncak Alam, 17 October 2024 – Universitas Andalas (UNAND), Padang, Indonesia, and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) engaged in an academic collaboration aimed at building stronger bonding in the field of architecture. The event, hosted by UiTM’s College of Built Environment (KAB) took place at both Puncak Alam and Shah Alam campuses. The program was carried out in line with the main objective; to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and teaching methodologies between Universitas Andalas and UiTM, focusing on current architectural pedagogy and research. Both institutions aim to create a platform for students and faculty members to engage in discussions that will shape the future of architectural education and research.
This academic collaboration initiative between Universitas Andalas (UNAND) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) facilitated a multifaceted exchange aimed at enhancing architectural education and research. The initiative enabled lecturers and students to share insights on modern teaching methods and architectural strategies, offered Universitas Andalas students a first-hand experience of UiTM’s academic environment, and opened discussions on potential student and staff exchange programs to broaden learning opportunities. Both institutions explored joint research and publication projects to raise their academic profiles, alongside planning future seminars, conferences, and workshops to address current issues in the built environment. Additionally, the partnership seeks to foster innovative research collaborations, strengthening academic ties and contributing to advancements in architectural practices.
The collaboration offers mutual benefits to both UiTM and Universitas Andalas. For Universitas Andalas, the partnership provides an opportunity to enhance its academic programs by integrating new teaching methodologies and broadening its research scope. The event is also set to improve UiTM’s international standing by positioning the university as a key player in global academic collaborations, further boosting its research and publication output.
The three-day event included presentations from both universities, studio visits to view architecture student studio projects, and in-depth discussions on future collaboration, including a focus group discussion (FGD) centered on academic mobility, research, and publication efforts. The sessions concluded with a closing ceremony and a group photo, marking the start of a promising long-term partnership between Universitas Andalas and UiTM. This significant collaboration sets another milestone in the development of architecture education in both Malaysia and Indonesia, promising future growth in research, innovation, and academic exchange between the two nations.