On a day (Monday, 14th April 2025), filled with meaning for the field of architectural education, the Architecture Program of BINUS University, Syahdan Campus, welcomed an academic visit from the delegation of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). This event was part of a broader effort to strengthen institutional cooperation and broaden global perspectives in the development of sustainable and contextually relevant architectural education.

The event began with a warm welcome from Dr. Nina Nurdiani, ST., MT., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at BINUS University. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and the exchange of ideas between universities in the Southeast Asian region.

This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Michael Isnaeni, ST., MT., Head of the Architecture Program, who introduced the curriculum approach, studio-based learning system, and strategic initiatives to support education in sustainability and technological innovation.

A welcoming speech from UKM lecturers further reinforced the shared vision between the two institutions: to shape future architects who are resilient, adaptive, and globally conscious.

The most dynamic part of the visit came through student presentations, which showcased the academic spirit and achievements from both universities:

  • Salma, a student from UKM, introduced “Martabat,” an annual event that highlights Malaysia’s cultural values and architectural expression within an academic framework.
  • Nichole, a student from BINUS, presented a 4-star hotel design project applying green building principles using EDGE tools as a tangible effort toward sustainable architecture.
  • Hasan, another BINUS student, shared his semester 5 studio project—a mall design located in South Jakarta—focusing on commercial integration and responsiveness to dynamic urban contexts.

The visit continued with a tour of the architecture studio and a student design exhibition, featuring a wide range of projects that reflect a holistic learning process. The interactions between students and faculty from both institutions took place in a warm, enthusiastic atmosphere, open to sharing insights and ideas.

This visit served not only as an appreciation of each institution’s academic processes but also opened doors for future collaboration through joint research, student exchange, and curriculum development rooted in practice and sustainability.

Through this initiative, the BINUS Syahdan Architecture Studio reaffirms its commitment to being an open space for dialogue, collaboration, and architectural innovation across cultures and geographic boundaries.