By UOW Malaysia 

From 8 to 10 September 2026, the Department of Built Environment enjoyed an enriching experience at Simposium Nusantara XVII (SIMPORA 2026), held at Rimbun Dahan, Kuang, and UiTM Puncak Alam. As an international student workshop, the programme brought together participants from various institutions, including UOW Malaysia, creating a vibrant platform for students to learn, exchange ideas and engage with art, architecture and cultural heritage.

The day at Rimbun Dahan began with an introduction to the site, followed by a guided exploration of its houses and surrounding environment led by Bilqis Hijjas. Students had the opportunity to experience and observe heritage architecture firsthand, gaining insights into traditional architectural features, materials, spatial qualities and the relationship between buildings and their natural surroundings. The exploration encouraged participants to appreciate heritage beyond classroom learning while developing a deeper understanding of the importance of documenting, preserving and safeguarding architectural and cultural assets. Further insights into the significance of the traditional houses were shared by Angela Hijjas.

The experience was further enriched through the “Sketches of Traditional Houses” workshop, conducted by Dr Elias Yamani and Dr Othman bin Mohd Nor, where students documented the architectural character of Rumah Penang and Rumah Uda Manap through on-site sketching. Participants also explored contemporary approaches to heritage documentation during an introductory session on Point Cloud and LiDAR technology led by Muhammad Shahir Shahrin. Through hands-on exposure to terrestrial laser scanning using Riegl and Faro 3D laser scanners, students gained valuable insight into how digital technology can complement traditional methods of architectural observation and documentation. The session concluded with a showcase of the LiDAR survey results, effectively linking students’ physical exploration of heritage sites with their digital representation.

On the following day, the cultural and creative journey continued at UiTM Puncak Alam with a Mask-Making Workshop led by Associate Professor Ts. Dr Verly Veto Vermol. Using paper-mâché techniques and creative interpretation, participants explored both traditional and contemporary approaches to mask-making, progressing through the fundamentals of mask construction, surface development, colouring and decoration. The hands-on workshop encouraged creativity and craftsmanship while demonstrating how traditional cultural practices can be reimagined through contemporary artistic expression. It also provided a valuable opportunity for participants from diverse institutions and cultural backgrounds to connect, collaborate and exchange ideas through art.

The main SIMPORA 2026 symposium brought together distinguished industry leaders, academics and practitioners for a series of insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions on the final day. Highlights included Keynote 1, “Architecture and Malay Ethos,” delivered by Professor Emeritus Ar Hijjas Kasturi, and Keynote 2, “Malay Ethos in the Context of Design,” presented by Professor Dato Dr Mohamed Najib Dawa, alongside the launch of the book Wisdom of Nusantara. Reflecting the department’s active contribution to scholarly discourse, Fazlin binti Awaludin presented her paper titled “The Rumah Bolompa Paradox: Aligning Vernacular Malay Ethos with Contemporary Sustainable Architecture”, highlighting the ongoing efforts of UOW Malaysia academics to bridge traditional vernacular wisdom with contemporary sustainable design practices.

Championing education beyond the traditional classroom, this immersive initiative provided UOW Malaysia students with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the intersecting fields of interior architecture, sustainability, digital innovation and cultural heritage. Through hands-on workshops, real-world applications and inter-institutional collaboration, students gained practical experiences that extended far beyond textbook learning. By connecting with industry practitioners, academics and peers from diverse backgrounds, they expanded their professional networks, enhanced their cross-cultural understanding and experienced firsthand how experiential learning helps shape well-rounded, future-ready professionals.