The Architecture Study Program played a key role in support the Architecture Mobility Program from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). This program took place over three days and included a blend of academic activities, cultural exploration, and field-based learning. Its goal was to strengthen international collaboration while providing valuable educational experiences for both lecturers and students from the participating institutions.
The program officially commenced on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with a campus tour designed to introduce UNIMAS participants to the academic environment at UNTAN. In the afternoon, the Architecture Lecture Series was initiated, featuring remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at UNTAN and the Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at UNIMAS. Both Deans underscored the significance of international academic collaboration in enhancing architectural education and fostering sustainable partnerships between higher education institutions.
The lecture series included presentations from distinguished academics from both universities. Dr. Atta Idrawani bin Zaini discussed the identity of the Melanau Tall House, emphasizing the cultural values and architectural features of Sarawakâs traditional Melanau houses. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Ivan Gunawan, who addressed sustainable riverfront settlement planning in his talk on Settlement Development along Riverside Areas. Participants also engaged in the Architecture Workshop Series, where Ar. IDr. Mervyn Wong Hsin Jyi (UNIMAS) shared professional insights into Malaysian building construction and architectural design practices. The sessions concluded with an interactive discussion that included both students and lecturers from the two institutions.
The first day concluded with the Mini Architecture Design Symposium (MADS), where architecture students from UNTAN and UNIMAS presented selected studio projects. In a separate room, representatives from both institutions discussed future collaborations, including joint research, student mobility, international conferences, and community engagement initiatives. On Thursday, July 16, 2026, participants explored the cultural and architectural heritage of Pontianak through a series of educational field visits. The final day, Friday, July 17, 2026, was dedicated to an Urban Appraisal and Sketching Workshop.
This three-day Architecture Mobility Program highlights the commitment of the architecture study program to serve as a partner with international universities.
Content Writer: Danti
