KUALA LUMPUR, 12 November 2025 – Building Surveying students from the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), achieved remarkable success at the 9th International Built Environment Undergraduate Research Competition (BEURC) 2025 held at the Connexion Conference and Event Centre, Bangsar South, with the event bringing together final-year students from various universities to showcase their research and thesis projects in the built environment sector.

The BEURC, an annual competition aimed at exposing undergraduates to research presentation platforms, provides opportunities for students to share their academic work with industry experts and peers, while covering a broad range of built environment disciplines including building surveying, architecture, planning, real estate, engineering management, and construction management, and this year’s edition was organised by the Department of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment (FBE), Universiti Malaya, with participation from local and international institutions.

HBP’s Building Surveying students not only participated actively but also excelled by winning a total of 11 prestigious awards, including Outstanding Undergraduate and Gold Awards, as listed below.

Outstanding Undergraduate Award

• Liew Mei Xian (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree)
  Research Title: Identification of priority criteria for the advancement of green buildings for commercial buildings

Gold Award

1. Liew Mei Xian (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree)
   Research Title: Identification of priority criteria for the advancement of green buildings for commercial buildings
2. Salahuddin Yusuf Mohamad Nasir (Supervisor: Dr. Norsafiah)
   Research Title: Best defect rectification strategies: Low-cost residential flat near the coastal in Teluk Kumbar, Penang
3. Siti Zulaika Zubir (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Mohd Zailan)
   Research Title: Developing a building maintenance strategy for low-rise, low-cost housing in Malaysia’s northern region: A conceptual framework for addressing tropical climate challenges

Silver Award

1. Farahniesa Raman (Supervisor: Dr. Siti Hamidah)
   Research Title: Towards digital transformation in building surveying: a study on BIM adoption and collaborative strategies in Malaysia
2. Aminur Ruslan Mohd Zaini (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Mohd Zailan)
   Research Title: A Conceptual Assessment of Issues and Preventive Maintenance Strategy for University Public Toilet
3. Lee Yung Seng (Supervisor: Dr. Hamidah)
   Research Title: From Global to Local: Best Practices for Green Walls Maintenance in Malaysia's Built Environment

Bronze Award

1. Lee Kang Jing (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree)
   Research Title: Appraisal of Green Design Directives for High-Rise Buildings in Hot and Humid Weather
2. Muhamad Fathi Abd Rahman (Supervisor: Sr. Nuzaihan)
   Research Title: Analysis of Workability Rainwater Harvesting Drainage System in Reducing Flash Floods Risk in Historical City
3. Ching Zhi Yi (Supervisor: Sr. Nuzaihan)
   Research Title: Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) Technology Adaptation for Smart Waste Management System in Penang
4. Amy Nursarah Ahmad Zahidi (Supervisor: Dr. Norsafiah)
   Research Title: The Effectiveness of Concrete Properties Towards Building Acoustic Improvement

These remarkable achievements highlight the dedication and commitment of both students and supervisors, with the competition providing a valuable platform for students to present their findings, engage with experts, and connect with peers from both local and international universities, thereby reaffirming the strength of USM’s Building Surveying programme and its contribution to the future of the built environment sector.

In congratulating the team, Dean of the School of HBP, Assoc. Prof. Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin, said, “We are incredibly proud of our students’ outstanding achievements at the 9th BEURC 2025, and winning 11 prestigious awards is a testimony to their hard work, dedication, and the high academic standards upheld at the School of HBP, USM,” adding that the success reflects both individual excellence and the collaborative spirit within the department.

BEURC remains a globally recognised platform that aims to nurture future leaders in the built environment sector, offering undergraduates the opportunity to present their research findings, drive innovation and sustainability, and propose practical solutions to challenges within the built environment, with this year’s competition continuing its tradition of highlighting cutting-edge work in the field.

Text & Photos: Sr Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim/Edited: Shafinaz Md Ismail