Penang, 30 June 2025 – The School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was abuzz with excitement as it welcomed YB Dato' Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Penang’s State Executive Councillor for Housing and Environment, to officiate the much-anticipated Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Student Exhibition 2025. Held annually, the exhibition lead by Dr. Shida Irwana Omar showcases the creativity, innovation, and rigorous project undertaken by the first-year until final-year planning students. This year’s edition stood out not only for the quality of the student projects but also for the presence of a distinguished guest whose portfolio aligns closely with the core themes of urban development and sustainability explored in the exhibition.

In his officiating speech, Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo congratulated the students and HBP for their efforts in curating an exhibition that not only reflects academic excellence but also resonates with real-world urban planning challenges. Drawing from his experience and current role, he shared meaningful insights into Penang's evolving urban landscape, underscoring the importance of integrated planning and sustainable development practices.

A key highlight of his address was the detailed explanation of the state government’s flagship affordable housing initiative, Rumah MutiaraKu. Designed to meet the growing demand for inclusive and accessible housing in Penang, the programme focuses on ensuring quality living environments, community connectivity, and environmentally responsible building practices. Dato' Seri emphasised that initiatives like Rumah MutiaraKu are crucial in maintaining Penang’s livability, especially amid rapid urbanisation and demographic shifts.

Throughout the exhibition, Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo took his time to visit student’s presentation, engaging with the young planners on their concepts, research findings, and proposed interventions. “I am truly inspired by the calibre of work presented here today,” Dato' Seri remarked. “The passion, innovation, and forward-thinking demonstrated by these students give me great confidence in the future of urban planning in Malaysia. These are the minds that will shape the cities of tomorrow.”

Associate Professor Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin, Dean of HBP, stated, “Having a leader of his stature engage directly with our students is incredibly meaningful. It bridges the gap between policy and academia and inspires our future planners to continue striving for excellence. His presence not only validates the efforts of our faculty but also motivates the entire academic community to align our work with national development goals. We are truly honoured and grateful for his continued support and encouragement.”

Dr. Azree further added, “This engagement reflects a shared vision for sustainable and inclusive development, and it reinforces the vital role that institutions like HBP play in shaping Malaysia’s urban and built environment. It was a proud moment for us to showcase the talents and innovative ideas of our students. We believe that such interactions spark a sense of purpose among our youth, showing them that their voices matter and that they are integral to the nation’s future. The impact of this visit will resonate far beyond today; it will stay with our students as a source of motivation throughout their academic and professional journeys.”

A key highlight of the day was a session between Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo and the HBP top management. During the discussion, they shared their visions for advancing Malaysia’s built environment sector. They explored potential avenues for collaboration between the state government and USM, particularly in the areas of urban and regional planning, sustainable urban design, and community engagement. “We believe that by bridging policy and academia, we can accelerate innovation and real impact in the built environment,” said Dr. Azree. “Today’s dialogue with Dato’ Seri has opened new opportunities for potential joint initiatives that will benefit both students and society.”

Dato’ Seri echoed the sentiment, expressing optimism about the role that academic institutions like HBP play in training the next generation of planners, architects, and policymakers. The URP Student Exhibition 2025 concluded with renewed enthusiasm and a strong message: the future of our cities lies in the hands of well-prepared, forward-thinking youth, supported by strategic leadership and cross-sector collaboration.

Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin / Photo: The School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP),USM