The Faculty of Built Environment didn’t just celebrate its 25th Silver Jubilee Festival on 8/8/2025-9/8/2025, they write their own history!
On this special day, Mercu Alam Bina officially became the first building in Universiti Malaya to earn the prestigious Green Building Index (GBI) certification. Out of UM’s 559 buildings, this is the one that set the bar for a greener future.
And the celebration? Think more than just speeches, it was a journey through UM’s past, present, and exciting future.
On this 2 days of Silver Jubilee Celebration, the faculty has also hosted exhibitions, info booths, and international students from China, Indonesia and Palestine showcases
Dean Prof. Sr Ts. Dr. Azlan Shah Bin Ali took everyone down memory lane. Back in the late 90s, the Faculty of Built Environment began as part of the Faculty of Engineering. In 2000, it became its own faculty and over the last 25 years, it’s transformed into a faculty with 12 academic programmes, from architecture to real estate
The Green Building Index is Malaysia’s first green building rating system. It looks at how energy-efficient, water-wise, eco-friendly, and comfortable a building is for the people inside it.
For UM, having a GBI-certified building isn’t just about bragging rights, it’s about:
Lower running costs
Healthier learning spaces
Hands-on learning for students about sustainable design and green tech
Real-life research opportunities across multiple fields
And here’s the kicker, Mercu Alam Bina is just the beginning. With UM aiming for Carbon Neutral 2030 and Net Zero 2050, GBI will play a big role in tracking energy use, cutting carbon, and making campus life greener for everyone.
Professor Dr. Yahaya bin Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, also shared how architecture at UM began under the Faculty of Engineering, with the Royal Institute of British Architects syllabus right from day one. There were challenges, but determination kept the dream alive.
Professor Dr. Yahaya bin Ahmad compared the faculty to a royal prince turning 25, grown, confident, and ready to take on bigger responsibilities. His message? The faculty’s success didn’t “just happen”, it was designed, nurtured, and built by passionate people: past deans, dedicated lecturers, hardworking staff, talented students, and loyal alumni.
The event also welcomed Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum the Chief Executive Officer of GBI Associate Professor (Industry) for Faculty of Built Environment who reminded everyone that sustainability isn’t just a project, it’s a mindset.
He closed with a challenge:
“We’ve made history with this first GBI certification. But remember, there are 558 more buildings to go!”
This milestone isn’t only for the history books, it’s for student and community as well. Whether you’re an architecture major, an environmental science student, or just someone who loves the idea of a greener campus, this is proof that big changes start somewhere.
It’s also a reminder that the Faculty of Built Environment is a place where creativity meets responsibility, where what you design today could be shaping the world tomorrow.
Congratulations again for Built Environment Faculty on becoming the pioneer of sustainable buildings!
So here’s to 25 years of growth, and to the next 25 years of building a future that’s not just smart, but sustainable. 🌱✨
Written by: Nurhidayah binti Zainal Arifin (UMSDC Intern)
