College Of Built Environment (CBE), Universiti Teknologi Mara: The Torchbearer of Architecture Education in Malaysia

Prof. TPr. Dr. Jamalunlaili Abdullah

Professor & Assistant Vice Chancellor

According to a report published by Mordor Intelligence, the Asia Pacific architectural services market size is poised to reach $170.97 billion by 2028. The growth is being driven by the combination of several factors. Technology innovations are at the forefront among them, with technologies like 3D Imaging, AR, and VR making a widespread impact on business operations. A plethora of virtual designs are available in front of consumers, through which they can decode a final design suitable for the structure.

The world is also witnessing large-scale interest among the youth to get educated in this subject and consider it a viable career option. In this regard, institutions are setting up curriculums with the changes and trying their best to create flexibility that will always have room for improvement. Added to that, there is always a need to create specialization so that aspiring candidates can choose their courses wisely.

For more than five decades now, the College of Built Environment (CBE) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia has provided students with specialized and globally acknowledged courses and was the first institution to start courses on architecture in Malaysia. UiTM is the largest comprehensive university in Malaysia that provides innovative education with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology within reach at its 34 campuses, 4 colleges of studies, 14 faculties, and 9 academic centers all over the country. UiTM offers over 500 academic programs at Foundation, Pre- Diploma, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels, as well as Professional Programs.

It continues to expand access to higher education, playing its role in nation-building by unleashing potential and shaping the future. “Being the pioneer, most comprehensive and largest Built Environment faculty in Malaysia (and perhaps one of the largest in the world), CBE offers a most promising and conducive learning environment to its students and meaningful collaborations with its stakeholders in industry and community”, mentions Prof. TPr. Dr. Jamalunlaili Abdullah, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the College of Built Environment.

The Growth Story

In 1971 the School of Arts and Architecture, which started in 1967, underwent a

major reorganization that was collectively under then Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM) and this led to the establishment of two separate schools; one, which emphasized on the built environment, and the other arts and design.

Subsequently, the built environment school was named the School of Architecture, Planning and Surveying which was later known as the Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying. However, the Malay acronym 'FSPU' (which stands for Fakulti Senibina, Perancangan dan Ukur) is commonly used within UiTM. In 1996, due to the restructuring of the Faculty of Engineering, the Department of Surveying Science and Geomatics was placed under the faculty.

Located at Shah Alam and within the Metropolitan Kuala Lumpur, the faculty has gained its reputation as one of the pioneering institutions that offered courses in the field of the built environment.CBE can be regarded as one-of-a-kind institution in all of Malaysia that has created a niche for itself and currently offers specialized courses on built environments. It provides all kinds of facilities to students in terms of quality education and knowledge of the industry.

The institution keeps itself abreast with the developments in the market and structures competitive courses according to market needs. CBE has achieved a level of organizational excellence by means of effective and efficient governance and wants to further strengthen the integrity of the institution in the times to come. There is extended R&D involved in the programs offered by the institution. It aims to create a string research ecosystem within the premises that will have the ability to execute impactful research. The primary goal of the institution here is to provide world class education to all the students.

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With over 735,000 alumni in science, technology, humanities, & entrepreneurship, UiTM offers opportunities to shape leaders at national, industry, & global levels & is well poised to become a globally renowned university by 2025. CBE plays a big role in achieving that goal
– Prof. TPr. Dr. Jamalunlaili Abdullah , Professor & Assistant Vice Chancellor

At present, the faculty comprises 11 academic departments running 31 academic programs ranging from diploma, undergraduate to postgraduate levels of study. Currently, the student population exceeds 15,000 undertaking various built-environment programs in Shah Alam, Puncak Alam, Seri Iskandar, Arau, and Kota Samarahan campuses.

Looking Ahead

With over 80,000 alumni in built environment CBE offers opportunities to shape leaders at national, industry, and global levels and is well poised to help UiTM to become a globally renowned university by 2025. The programs offered by the college have been accredited or recognized by 16 Professional Boards or bodies nationally and internationally. The primary mission of the university is to establish itself as a Globally Renowned University of Science, Technology, Humanities, and Entrepreneurship and be among the top 300 universities in the world.

CBE is currently ranked in the Top 200 in QS World University Ranking by Subject for Architecture and Built Environment and strives to be in the Top 100 soon. The college counts renowned Ar. Hijjas Kasturi as its Founding Dean who is also currently one of the 10 distinguished professional leaders in Built Environment appointed as Adjunct Professors of CBE.

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